Safe Fruit List for Rabbits & Guinea-pigs

Fruit is very sugary and should only be fed 2-3 times a week?

Fruit only has a slightly higher sugar content than vegetables and contains around the same amount as hay which is fed ad-libitum. So why offer hay unlimited but limit fruit so much?

On an ad libitum diet, fruit can also be fed ad libitum as long as a good mix of different fruits are offered. A rabbit or guinea-pig that is used to the ad libitum diet will not head straight for the fruit and ignore all of the other food groups - this mainly happens when the diet is restricted and given out in portions. In an ad libitum diet, all food groups are available at all times and they are able to choose more wisely as in the wild. In the wild, rabbits eat fruit, especially around autumn time when it is abundant as it is a great energy source. For more information on how to provide an ad libitum diet, click here.

Safe Fruits

The fruits in this list are common in supermarkets, however if you grow your own fruit then you will have a much wider choice beyond this list. As a general rule, I recommend avoiding tropical fruits as they are too acidic. However, there are some exceptions to this rule which will be discussed below.

• Apple - Apples help to regulate the digestion and are very well tolerated. They can be fed whole, as although the seeds do contain hydrocyanic acid, a huge unrealistic number would be needed to cause any harm.

• Apricot, peach, cherry & plum - Rich in vitamins but can be acidic in high quantities so don’t overfeed. A common belief is that stone fruits cannot be fed because they contain hydrocyanic acid. However, Amygdalin (a cyanogenic glycoside that breaks down into hydrocyanic acid and fructose when in contact with water) is found only in the core of the stone fruit. This means that the fruit can safely be fed without the stone and the fruit can even be fed whole as the stones are too hard to crack and are discarded anyway.

• Banana - Bananas are rich in starch and sugar so should only be offered in small quantities.

• Pear - Pears are sweeter than apples and so should be fed in smaller quantities but they can still be fed whole as with apples (see above).

• Blueberry - Blueberries are rich in minerals and should be fed in small quantities.

• Blackberry - Blackberries can also be fed in small quantities, along with their leaves and branches.

• Cranberry - Cranberries contain flavanols, antioxidants, are anti-inflammatory and prevent bladder infections in animals that are susceptible.

• Strawberry - Strawberries are rich in vitamins and stimulate the kidneys. The whole plant is safe to offer.

• Fig - Figs can be fed whole and are rich in vitamin b; a popular food they should be fed in small amounts.

• Raspberry - Raspberries are very good for settling stomachs in small quantities and are a very popular, mineral rich food.

• Melon - Both cantaloupe and watermelon can be fed, but only very rarely as they are sugary. They are especially refreshing during the summer heat.

• Currants - Black, white and red currants are a good food as they are rich in vitamin c but they should only be fed occasionally. Currants are good for gastrointestinal problems.

• Kiwi - Kiwis are popular, well tolerated in small quantities and rich in vitamins.

• Mango - Mangos should be given without the skin and the stone and are well tolerated and popular.

• Cape Gooseberry (physalis) - Cape gooseberries can be fed in small quantities.

• Quince - Quinces are well tolerated in small quantities.

• Gooseberry - Gooseberries can be offered occasionally and in small quantities.

• Grape - Grapes should be fed seedless, are well tolerated and kidney stimulating.

• Olive - Olives can be fed in small quantities, very occasionally due to their high fat content. Must be fresh not jarred!