My Rabbit Ate Oranges and Orange Peels Will He Get Sick?

Oranges are a healthy treat for us pet parents. They’re filled with plenty of vitamin C, and more. However, what happens if your bunny eats an orange or some orange peels?

Are Oranges Safe for Rabbits to Eat?

In short, yes, oranges are safe for your bunny to eat. They’re not toxic and provide some healthy nutrients that your bunny needs. However, they should only be fed to your bunny in moderation. This means oranges should only be a once in a while treat. They should not become a regular part of your rabbit’s diet.

There are several reasons for this. For one thing, rabbits make their own vitamin C, so they don’t need to obtain this essential nutrient in their diets. Bunnies, if they have too much vitamin C, can also develop kidney damage.

Another reason for keeping this as a treat only is because oranges contain a high amount of sugar. Bunny’s love sweet things, but they really shouldn’t have sugar. Rabbits, like other us and animals, can gain weight or become obese from eating too much sugar. The sugar can also cause tooth decay in bunnies.

One more issue with oranges is that they are also acidic. Rabbits’ stomachs are already more on the acidic side. So, if a rabbit’s diet is too acidic the result can be a very sick rabbit.

So, while oranges are safe for your bun to eat, they should only be an occasional treat. When you do give your bunny some orange, it should be only a very small piece. Eating too many oranges simply isn’t healthy for your bunny.

What about Orange Peels?

When it comes to orange peels, not everyone agrees on whether or not these are safe for rabbits to eat. The main reason is that orange peels may contain pesticide residue that can make bunnies sick. It’s very difficult to complete clean the pesticide from the peel, so you never know how much remains on the orange peel.

Some vets say the peel is OK in small amounts, and only from organic oranges. They say to make sure the oranges were grown in a pesticide-free environment. It’s still a good idea to wash the peel, and then only give a small bit to your bunny. Again, this should only be a small treat once in a while.

As you can see, while oranges are safe for rabbits, you should only give your bunny a very small piece once in a great while. Too much of this fruit could make your bunny very sick. When it comes to orange peels, the same applies—a very small piece as a once in a great while treat. You can share a little with your bunny, but not more. If your bun is begging, then opt for a healthier treat, rather than an orange.