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Can Rabbits Eat Apricots? 5 Excellent Nutrients You Can Get!

Are you wondering: can rabbits eat apricots? To simply answer the question, yes, rabbits can eat apricots. These furry pets love sweet fruits, but they cannot be fed too much of these.

Not familiar with apricots?

can rabbits eat apricots

Apricots are the type of fruits that have high sugar content. Sugars are good for giving energy to your rabbits and make them active, but too much sugar is bad for their well-being.

Sugar can cause complications to your rabbits, such as high blood sugar. But, if you plan to give out these sweet treats to your furry friends, then feeding them in small amounts will be enough to keep the sugar at a minimum.

Here are more things that you have to know!

can rabbits eat apricots

Nutrition Facts About Apricots

I’m quite conscious when it comes to my pet, Thumper. I want to give him only the best, but there are times when he seemed tempted to eat sweet fruits (especially if he sees me eating).

In case, here are just some of the nutrition he and your pet can gain:

 

#1. Vitamin A and carotene

Rabbits do not have good eyesight. The older they get, the worse their condition gets. Apricots are rich in vitamin A and beta carotene, which are essential in improving their vision.

Other than bettering the eyesight, vitamin A and beta carotene promotes healthy hair growth and boosts the immune system.

Aside from apricots, beta carotene can also be found in cantaloupe, spinach, kale, squash, sweet potatoes, and carrots. read more here can rabbits eat cantaloupe

vitamin a and carotene

#2. Potassium

Food that is high in potassium is what prevents kidney and bladder stones from forming. Since rabbits are vulnerable to this type of condition, it is better to prevent it from happening as early as possible.

Potassium is essential for maintaining the fluid balance in a rabbit’s body. Other than that, it regulated nerve signals and helped in their muscle contraction too.

 

#3. High anthocyanin and flavonoid

You can research more about these nutrients, but basically, they are responsible for fighting diseases in the rabbit’s body, reduce inflammation, and prevent allergies from happening.

Both of these nutrients are antioxidants that help in lowering blood pressure and prevent all other cardiovascular diseases. The great benefit flavonoids hold is that it can protect rabbits’ bodies from cancer cell formation.

 

#4. Vitamin C

For humans, vitamin C is responsible for boosting and maintaining the immune system.

The immune system is crucial since it helps in fighting off diseases. For rabbits, the benefits are the same.

Another worth of mention about vitamin C’s benefit is that it protects the rabbits from getting scurvy.

Here’s the scary thing:

Scurvy is a very dangerous disease that causes a lot of pain to your pet, so avoid it now rather than regret it later.

 

#5. Fiber

It is common knowledge to rabbit owners that these animals have susceptible digestive systems.

What fiber does is that it aids in the proper digestion of your rabbits. It stops bloating and indigestion.

With an excellent digestive system, it helps in their proper bowel movement. Plus, fiber works excellent in maintaining the cholesterol and glucose level of your pet bodies.

 

Health Benefits Of Apricots

Again, the question is:

Can rabbits eat apricots?

Even though too many apricots are not safe for your rabbits, these fruits contain many essential vitamins and minerals that their body needs. Here are just a few of them:

health benefits of apricots

  • Hydrates the body

Being hydrated is vital for your rabbits, especially in the summer. Apricots have great water/juice content in them that can help keep your rabbit hydrated.

Not all rabbits are the same. Some don’t drink enough water to nourish their body. As an owner, you must keep an eye on their hydration, especially during summer, when the weather is very hot and humid.

If your rabbit is one of those that don’t drink enough water, feeding them with apricots can increase their water intake.

 

  • Prevents diseases

With a decent amount of antioxidants and vitamin C, apricots are significant in preventing diseases. These nutrients are what boosts and maintains its immune system.

The two nutrients working together helps in fighting off diseases. Your rabbits will be healthier and live a longer life if it lives disease-free.

 

  • Improves eye health

Remember how apricots contain Vitamin A and beta-carotene?

Well, these nutrients are the ones responsible for improving your rabbits’ eye health.

Other fruits with high vitamin A content you can consider are oranges, apples, papayas, and strawberries. read more here can rabbits eat orange

Take note that these fruits are as sweet as apricots, so feed your rabbits with this in small amounts as well.

 

  • Reduces inflammation

Another benefit antioxidants bring reducing inflammation. Some complications that are common in rabbits are scurvy and joint swelling.

Scurvy has symptoms that make their limbs swell, and so by feeding them with apricots that have anthocyanins, swelling can be reduced.

Cherries have anthocyanins in them as well. You can choose to feed them this to add variation in their diets. please read here can rabbit eat cherries

 

Hazards In Feeding Apricots To Your Rabbits

We have discussed above all the benefits apricots can bring to your rabbits. This fruit is a healthy option to feed them with, but it can cause complications if you overfeed them with apricots.

 

  • Diarrhea

The most common complication is diarrhea. This happens when there is a sudden change in your rabbits’ diet, or they have been overfed with sweet treats.

This is why properly introducing a new food item in your rabbit’s diet is critical because their digestive system is very sensitive.

The slightest change can cause an imbalance. Plus, apricots have a lot of sugar in them, so you must know how much you are feeding them with.

 

  • Obesity

Rabbits can also be obese, especially when they are overfed. Obesity can cause a lot of other more serious complications for your rabbits.

When you notice that your rabbits are getting bigger in an unhealthy way, then you must seek a veterinarian and ask for a low-calorie diet for your furry friends.

Generally, a low-calorie diet includes more vegetables and hay in the regular diet of your rabbits. The vet will also advise you to lessen, giving them sugary food.

 

  • Diabetes

diabetes

Another common complication your rabbits can have because of too much sugar is diabetes.

Rabbits love to eat treats, especially those with high sugar content, but these are not healthy for them. That is why, as an owner, you must be keen on what you feed your rabbits.

Some researches prove to add sweet stuff such as fruits and other treats that make rabbits more vulnerable to diabetes.

Sweets must be given within the smallest amounts to avoid diabetes, which leads to even more complications.

 

Final Words

Rabbits love sweet treats. If they were given a chance, they would continue to eat them until they cannot anymore.

So, can rabbits eat apricots? Apricots hold many nutrients that are beneficial for your rabbits. Especially those that boosts their immune system and prevent diseases from attacking your rabbits.

For your rabbits to enjoy all the benefits and avoid the risks, it is advisable to feed them in small amounts.

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