Can Rabbits Eat Cherries? 6 Easy Ways To Prepare
Can rabbits eat cherries? Without a doubt, rabbits can eat cherries; they are even packed with numerous health benefits and risks. You will find out more as you go further.
Well, you can see cherries during summer as a popular fruit decorated in banana splits.
If you bought cherries and have nothing to do with these, you may wonder if they are safe for rabbits to eat.
Well, don’t worry as they are perfectly safe for your rabbits. With the right monitoring and proper serving, your bunny will become happier.
What Are Cherries?
As a quick overview, cherries are fruits that come in any color and different flavors.
They do not only have a delicious taste, but they are also packed with vitamins and minerals that your rabbits need to grow and develop.
Just remember that anything excessive in amount can become harmful. Although cherries are safe to give to bunnies, this does not mean you can give these daily.
That said:
Cherries should be given as treats and not as a meal.
So, can rabbits have cherries? Without a doubt, yes.
If you want to gain additional knowledge, keep on reading!
Health Benefits Of Cherries On Rabbits
The question is:
Can rabbits eat cherries? Cherries do offer different benefits aside from their delicious taste.
Here is a list as to why cherries are suitable for your pet:
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Smooth digestion
Because of the fibers present in cherries, the digestion of foods inside the body will become easier.
Excretion of toxins occurs outside so that they would not have an upset stomach later on.
With other minerals as well, we assure you that your pet will become healthier and more active.
Give rabbits cherries so they will have smooth digestion. That’s what I do sometimes. I give my pet Thumper. He loves it!
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Good sleep
An enzyme called melatonin is responsible for regulating the sleep cycle and body clock of an organism, found in cherries!
Your rabbits will have a great sleep, a peaceful mind, and a calm aura, which means a stress-free environment.
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Reduced inflammation
Anthocyanin is another type of enzyme that you can find in cherries. Its primary role is to regulate blood pressure.
It can also reduce the inflammations that your rabbits can have, examples are their swollen lymph, joints, and other organs that may become fatal in the long run.
You can also expect an excellent cardiovascular performance that paves the way for long life.
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Abundance in antioxidants
You can also find many antioxidants in cherries that are known for preventing the formation of cancer.
Lutein and zeaxanthin guard the cells against the possible damage free radicals bring.
What’s more?
They also maintain the cholesterol level inside the body and improves vision.
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Vitamin A and C
Vitamin A, along with beta carotene, helps maintain clear vision, boosts the immune system, and makes the skin healthy.
Meanwhile, the role of vitamin C is to prevent diseases from entering inside the body and further strengthens its immunity.
Risks To Consider
A healthy rabbit is a happy rabbit. Ensuring that your rabbits have a delicious treat with enough nutrients will pave the way to joyful pet life.
However, letting them indulge in too many cherries can ruin their lives.
Once fed in excessive amounts, cherries can serve as the greatest enemy of your rabbits.
To prevent this from happening, below is the list of risks you should consider when feeding cherries to your fluffy pets.
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Acidic contents
Cherries contain acidic contents, that when fed in larger portions, can burn your pets’ mouth.
This circumstance is true; it happened to my friend’s pet.
Once this occurs, your hungry rabbits will refuse to eat as it is difficult for them to do so.
Consider giving cherries in smaller portions. In addition to this, avoid providing sprayed cherries; pesticides and chemicals can harm your rabbits.
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Cyanide poisoning
Avoid providing stems, pits, and leaves to your rabbits as these parts contain cyanide.
It is advisable to feed only the flesh to your rabbits. As Thumper’s parent, I see to it that I give him fresh food.
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Constipation
Cherries have fibers, that when consumed excessively, can lead to constipation.
In addition to this, an excessive amount of sugar will lead to an upset tummy.
Here’s what you should take note:
Eliminate the stems, leaves, and seeds when feeding cherries to your rabbits.
How To Prepare Cherries On Rabbits
Let your rabbits have a cherry-on-top kind of day by providing them this luscious red fruit.
Cherries are breathtakingly sweet and juicy. Cherries taste like candies too. Eating this fruit will surely give you a glimpse of joy.
But giving cherries to the love of your life, your rabbits, will surely make yours and their life sweeter.
Let us dive into the methods of preparing this luscious red treat.
Step #1. Choosing ripe cherries
First, choose a cherry that seems to be mature in color and pick it. You have to taste a cherry on your own to know if it has reached its full flavor.
In addition to this, you will know if the cherries are ripe if they are firm to touch, but tender to bite. Ripe cherries should be juicy too.
Step #2. Washing the cherries
Next:
You have to properly wash the cherries to get rid of the dirt, pesticides, and chemicals that could harm your rabbits.
Then, make sure to eliminate their stems, leaves, seeds, and pits as these parts contain cyanide and can also be a choking hazard.
Step #3. Getting rid of rotten foods
Next, eliminate any rotten foods left from their previous feeding to avoid a faster spoilage rate.
You can serve this mouth-watering treat inside their cage. However, it is best to feed them from a bowl or your own hands.
Step #4. Giving only a small portions
In addition to this, it is essential to provide a gradual introduction to cherries.
When providing cherries for the first time, give only a small portion of the cherries and monitor your rabbits for 12 hours.
Step #5. Start giving whole cherries
If there are no signs of discomfort, you can begin to give one whole cherry to your adult rabbits.
Make sure that you observe the required serving and frequency as excessive amounts of cherries may result to health risks.
Step #6. Knowing if it’s good for your rabbits or not
In case your bunnies experience allergies or discomforts, it’s already an indication that it’s not for them. learn more here can rabbit have allergies
This means that you should exclude this fruit in their menu.
How often can you give cherries to rabbits?
Here’s the deal:
Serving cherry one to two times per week is highly recommended. Limit feeding them frequently as it can cause complications.
We encourage you to make a schedule so that you can track the meals eaten by your rabbits.
Can rabbits eat the leaves of cherry?
The answer is no. As much as possible, avoid giving cherry leaves as they contain cyanide, which is fatal for rabbits.
Can rabbits eat dried cherries?
Rabbits should not eat dried cherries as these contain a high amount of sugar.
Dried fruits are a couple of times sweeter than the fresh one.
In addition to this, it will not make your rabbits happy as these will only lead to an upset stomach.
When trying new treats for your rabbits, consider providing a gradual introduction of the fruit to them.
Provide only a small portion and monitor them for at least 12 hours.
Can rabbits eat canned cherries?
Avoid giving canned cherries to your rabbits as these contain a higher amount of sugar.
In addition to this, rabbits are unable to digest cooked foods.
If you wonder whether or not can rabbits eat frozen cherries, the answer is still no.
Most frozen foods contain additives and are inappropriate for rabbits to eat.
Final Words
If you’re wondering whether or not can rabbits eat cherries, the answer is a big YES!
Happiness is watching your bunny’s nose twitch at a sight of a luscious treat.
A cherry is the best fruit you could give to an angel disguised as a furry animal.
I hope this guide helped you know the benefits and risks of cherries.
In addition to this, information regarding the right servings and frequency of cherries are also present in this guide.
With this mouth-watering fruit, your rabbits will be hopping in joy, for sure!