Rabbits are mammals that hop from one place to another. These adorable creatures are loving and very social, so they become excellent pets. Lately, bunnies are becoming very popular among pet owners all over the globe. Though it is effortless to take care and groom rabbits, they still need specific care and precautions in certain things.
Rabbits are herbivores, and their gut needs lots of fibers, including hay or grass, to function correctly. However, unlike the most popular opinion, only carrots and lettuce are insufficient for their excellent health. They need a well-balanced diet to maintain a strong metabolism. The central part of rabbits’ diet should consist of fresh grass and clean water.
The first thing you need to consider while making a diet chart for rabbits is to maintain a well-balanced ratio between carbohydrates, fibers, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. This ratio is the best thing that helps you in determining whether a diet is suitable for a rabbit or not. Moreover, you need to look into other nutrient and element lists of certain food items to ensure your bunny does not have anything harmful. This is especially true in the case of fruits rich in carbs and greens rich in oxalates. So, you need to check that you are not overdoing anything. Moreover, the diet requirements also vary greatly with the size, age, and breed of rabbits. So, make sure you are considering every aspect.
In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about feeding tomatoes to your bunny.
Table of Contents
Do Rabbits Eat Tomatoes?
Yes, rabbits can safely eat tomatoes.
But they should be offered to rabbits only in small amounts. Tomatoes are a type of berry and juicy fruit. They are available in different qualities and grader. However, always pick those of the highest quality for your bunny.
Rabbits can safely eat red and yellow tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes are also safe for them. However, it would be best if you do not feed them too much as problems can arise.
How Often Can Rabbits Take Tomatoes?
Rabbits can have tomato treats 1-2 times per week.
Clean, high-quality hay, rabbit pellets, and fresh fruits and vegetables should be part of your rabbit’s diet.
Tomatoes may be included in the fruit and vegetable section, but only as a special treat.
While tomatoes are delicious, they are high in sugar and low in fiber.
Depending on the rabbit’s size, an average tomato portion equals the size of one cherry tomato. It also varies with the breed and age of a rabbit. So, before hitting a final hammer, make sure to know all about your bunny. It should be given 1-2 times per week, not daily basics or more precisely occasionally. Greater than this required amount can negatively affect the health of rabbits.
Nutrition In Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich, nutrient-dense food that has multiple health benefits. Along with becoming a treat for rabbits, it is pretty low in calories, making it ideal for obese rabbits. Let us talk about all the nutritional components of tomatoes.
Major Nutritional Components
In 100g of raw tomatoes, we have:
| Content | Quantity |
|---|---|
|
Calories |
18 kcal |
|
Water |
170.14 |
|
Carbohydrates |
3.9 g |
|
Sugars |
2.6 g |
|
Protein |
0.9 g |
|
Dietary Fiber |
1.2 g |
|
Fats |
0.2 g |
So, we have the following graph (1.1)
We separated sugars from carbohydrates to help you have a better idea of total sugars in your diet. Altogether, they can be counted in carbohydrate content.
Vitamins And Minerals
Now, when it comes to minerals and vitamins, these are also essential for maintaining the rabbit’s health and normal metabolism. Tomatoes are a rich source of antioxidants and minerals. In 166g of tomatoes, we have
So, we have :
Along with that, tomatoes also have a high content (50mg per 100g of tomatoes) of oxalic acid them.
Insight From Nutritional Content Data
From the above data, you come to know the following facts:
- Among fruits, tomatoes are pretty low in sugars
- Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants, including alpha-lipoic acid, lycopene, choline, folic acid, beta-carotene, lutein, and other vitamins
- Though tomatoes are not good in fiber, they have a considerable amount of it compared to other fruits such as strawberries in rabbits’ diet.
- Tomatoes have a considerable proportion of potassium.
- Tomatoes have a high amount of oxalic acid, which marks them red for rabbits suffering from kidney problems.
From all these facts, you can understand that tomatoes are among the most brilliant sources of antioxidants and all the other essential nutrients. Unlike other fruits, they do not overload your bunny’s body with lots and lots of sugar. However, there are also multiple health risks associated with them which can have detrimental long-term effects. So it would be best if you stayed on the safer side and consume in recommended amount to avoid any undesirable effect yet have all the benefits at the same time.
| Vitamin And Minerals In One Cup Of Tomatoes | |
|---|---|
|
Calcium |
18 mg |
|
Potassium |
254 mg |
|
Phosphorus |
43 mg |
|
Vitamin A |
1499 International Units (I.U.) |
|
Vitamin C |
24.7 mg |
Health Benefits Of Tomatoes For Rabbits
Many people think tomato is a vegetable, but it is a fruit. Some consider it both as a fruit and vegetable. Tomatoes, as well as dark, leafy greens and other crunchy vegetables, can provide essential nutrients. So, it can become a luxurious source to provide multiple nutrients and prevent diseases. Here are some important benefits of tomatoes.
Fiber-Rich:
Fiber is one of the main components of a rabbit’s diet. They are needed to maintain their gut health. Tomatoes become a rich source of fibers in the diet for bunnies.
Weight Loss:
Obese rabbits are at the risk of considerable health damages such as cardiovascular diseases. Tomatoes are surprisingly low in calories, so they become great treats for obese rabbits. It is because usually it is recommended not to feed a lot of fruits to overweight rabbits. However, if you are looking for alternatives, tomatoes become a great choice.
Tomatoes are rich in potassium which helps to reduce bad cholesterol from the body. So, now you know why we emphasize tomatoes for obese rabbits.
Excellent Antioxidants:
Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants and prevent damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are naturally produced in the body as a result of multiple processes taking place inside. It is essential to remove them; otherwise, they cause fastening of the aging process, limiting the lifespan of rabbits. Moreover, they are also the most significant cause of cancer in rabbits.
Bone Strength:
Calcium is one of the most essential minerals required for healthy bones. As the rabbit grows and ages, the bones need an adequate amount of calcium to maintain their structure and sturdiness. Tomatoes are a good source of calcium, and they can help in bone strength.
Cardiovascular Effects:
Tomatoes help to prevent many cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure in rabbits. Along with significantly reducing LDLs, they have an active role in protecting blood vessels’ inner lining, which helps prevent blood clotting. Moreover, it also reduces oxidative stress in the body and reduces inflammation.
Health Risk Associated With Tomatoes
Although tomatoes are considered safe for your rabbits, yet they can have some adverse effects in certain circumstances.
High Sugar Content
The digestive system of rabbits is quite different from that of humans. They do not possess constant movement of stomach muscles which help to digest food and high fiber content. Tomatoes contain a lot of sugar. Eating this kind of food greater than the required amount can cause diarrhea, bloating, and other digestive problems. It would be best if you gave them tomatoes only as a treat.
Gastrointestinal Upset
When tomatoes are consumed in excess by the rabbits, they can cause bloating and diarrhea. The reason for this is the presence of an organism called “Salmonella.”
Highly Acidic
Tomatoes are highly acidic. They produce more acid that can cause acute gastrointestinal tract upset. They contain malic acid and citric acids that trigger excess acid production leading to gastric reflux. As tomatoes are highly acidic, they can also lead to bladder problems.
Kidney Stones
Tomatoes are highly rich in potassium and can cause trouble to the kidneys. The high content of oxalates in tomatoes leads to kidney stones. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, tomatoes have 50 mg of oxalic acid per 100g of tomatoes. Oxalic acid can lead to the formation of calcium oxalates, which can cause kidney stones.
So, for rabbits suffering from any kind of kidney problem, especially kidney stones, tomatoes are a big NO.
How To Feed Tomatoes To Your Rabbit?
You cannot feed the whole tomato to your bunny as it can choke the throat easily. Always select the best quality tomatoes for your bunny. Moreover, ensure the tomatoes are fresh and ripe. Follow the following simple steps when you are going to feed tomatoes to your rabbit:s
- Carefully remove the stem, leaves, and other parts of the tomato plant as they are toxic to the rabbit.
- Only feed the fruit part of the tomato plant to your pet. Do not let them have any other part.
- Always rinse the tomatoes after you bought them from the market. Wash them properly since they are exposed to different kinds of pesticides.
- Slice the tomato into small pieces.
- Remove all the seeds carefully and throw them away.
- Feed the slices one by one.
- After the rabbit has eaten the tomato slice, clean the juicy splatters. They can make rabbits’ fur wet.
You shouldn’t feed your rabbit a slice of tomato every day, and you shouldn’t give him more than a couple of pieces at a time.
If you over-feed your rabbit, he will become ill or gain too much weight. Like other fruits containing a lot of sugar, Tomatoes are better eaten as a special occasion treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
We received a lot of questions about tomatoes. So, here are some of the most commonly asked questions:
- Can Baby Bunnies Eat Tomatoes?
Baby bunnies have a much sensitive digestive system as compared to rabbits. Avoid any kind of fruits and vegetables until they reach three months of age. When they reach this age, slowly introduce them to juicy fruits. Wait for 24 hours in case of any adverse reaction. If everything goes right, you can proceed with more juicy fruits.
- Can Rabbits Eat Tomato Leaves?
No, rabbits cannot eat tomato leaves. Although the fruit itself is not poisonous yet most of the plant parts are poisonous. The leaves of the tomato plant are poisonous. If you have a tomato plant at your home, rabbits should be kept away by a fence.
- Can Rabbits Eat Tomato Seeds?
It is recommended to remove tomato seeds as they can be toxic. Always feed the tomato in slices. In this way, you will better be able to remove the seeds.
- Can Rabbits Eat Cooked Tomatoes?
No, bunnies cannot eat cooked tomatoes. Everything given to feed the rabbit should be provided in fresh and raw form. The digestive system of rabbits cannot handle any form of cooked food, including cooked tomatoes. They can get their desired nutrients from natural food.
- Can Rabbits Eat Frozen Tomatoes?
Yes, but do not overdo it. Rabbits can have frozen tomatoes in small quantities in summer. However, make sure to peel a frozen tomato before feeding it, as the frozen peel can become difficult to swallow.
Conclusion
Rabbits are primarily leaf eaters, not seed eaters. Rabbits’ feeding should be primarily based on fresh hay. It should be offered in unlimited abundance. We can supplement their diet with a tablespoon of feed and fresh leafy green vegetables. Some plants are toxic, and some plants are a mix. For example, whilst tomatoes are safe to eat. Rabbits can safely eat washed tomatoes but not any other parts as they can be poisonous. Remove the seeds as well before serving them to your rabbit. I hope this article proves useful for you and now you understand how much tomatoes can be given to rabbits.
Hey, I live in the countryside with lots of pets including dogs, cats, horses and turtles. Yeah, I love pets and know how to keep this variety happy under the same shelter. I took my diploma in veterinary nursing and have been serving at a pet centre in my hometown since then. Pets make your life beautiful, enlighten a part of your soul and make you see far beyond what you have experienced before. I am here to make the relation between you and your pet much more strong. I will help you know how to deal with them in the best possible way, understand them and make them love you. Nothing will be more beautiful than your pet running in your lap when you step in after a hectic day, right. Moreover, I will also talk about all the grooming techniques and how you can manage everyday problems with your pets easily. Let us make our homes a better place for our pets to live in!
