Why
Banana appears on the treat lists of the House Rabbit Society, the RSPCA, PDSA and Pasadena Humane, so it is not toxic. The House Rabbit Society lists banana with the peel removed.
Banana is singled out for extra care. Rabbit.org's diet guide says high glycemic fruits such as bananas and grapes should be used only as occasional treats, and nutrition scientist Susan Smith, writing for Rabbit.org, advises saving sweets for an occasional raisin or banana snack.
Sugar is the concern with banana. Susan Smith explains that excess sugar can reach the cecum, where bacteria use it for energy and can overgrow, possibly leading to bacterial imbalance and gastrointestinal stasis.
Risks to watch for
- Pieces larger than a slice or two, which add a lot of sugar
- Banana given several times a week
- Banana peel
- Banana chips and dried banana, which are concentrated and often sweetened or fried
- Banana bread, muffins and smoothies
- Overweight rabbits, which PDSA says should avoid fruit treats
How to share safely
- Peel the banana and cut a thin slice.
- Cut the slice into a few small pieces.
- Offer the pieces by hand or hide one in the hay.
- Leave several days, ideally a week, before offering banana again.
How much?
The House Rabbit Society suggests no more than about 1 teaspoon of fresh fruit per 2 pounds (about 1 kg) of body weight per day, and for a very sweet fruit like banana, staying well under that is sensible. Rabbit.org recommends fruit only once or twice a week, and Pasadena Humane suggests about once a week in less than a tablespoon.
Why banana gets extra caution among fruits
Most fruit is sugary, but banana and grapes are singled out. Rabbit.org's diet guide names them as high glycemic fruits that should be used only as occasional treats.
Rabbits are drawn to sweet foods. The House Rabbit Society notes that rabbits have a strong sweet tooth, and Rabbit.org warns that a rabbit left to choose will eat sugary foods in place of healthful ones, which is why the owner has to set the limit.
Banana peel
The House Rabbit Society lists banana with the peel removed. Peel is tough, and bananas are often handled and transported in ways that leave residues on the skin.
A rabbit that nibbles a little peel is unlikely to be harmed, but the peel adds nothing that a rabbit needs. Throw peels into a closed bin.
Banana chips, bread and other banana snacks
Dried banana is a much denser treat than fresh. Rabbit.org notes that dried fruit is about three times as concentrated as fresh, and many banana chips are also fried or sweetened.
Banana bread and muffins add flour, sugar and fat. Rabbit.org's diet guide warns that processed human foods such as cookies, bread and breakfast cereals are especially dangerous for a rabbit's digestive system.
Common questions
Are bananas good for rabbits?
Only in limited ways. Banana appears on the treat lists of the House Rabbit Society, the RSPCA, PDSA and Pasadena Humane, so it is not toxic. The House Rabbit Society lists banana with the peel removed.
Are bananas bad for rabbits?
It can be. Risks to watch for: pieces larger than a slice or two, which add a lot of sugar; banana given several times a week.
Are rabbits allowed to have bananas?
Only in small amounts and the right form. Peel the banana and cut a thin slice.
Can I use banana to tempt a rabbit that is not eating?
No. A rabbit that stops eating needs a vet urgently, because a rabbit can develop gastrointestinal stasis within hours, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. PDSA also advises contacting a vet immediately if a rabbit stops eating.
Can baby rabbits eat banana?
Young rabbits should not have fruit. The House Rabbit Society's suggested diet for rabbits under 7 months includes hay, pellets and, from 12 weeks of age, small amounts of new greens, but no fruit.
Sources
- House Rabbit Society. Healthy Rabbit Diet.
- Rabbit.org. Healthy Rabbit Diet Guide: Safe Foods & Treats (Paige K Parsons).
- Rabbit.org. Treat Foods (Susan Smith, PhD).
- Rabbit.org. Treat Your Bunny Right (Amy Ramnaraine).
- PDSA. Feeding Your Rabbits.
- RSPCA. What Do Rabbits Eat? Rabbit Diet Advice.
- Pasadena Humane. Rabbit Safe Vegetable and Fruit List.
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Gastrointestinal Stasis in Rabbits (Gregory Rich, DVM; Laurie Hess, DVM; Rick Axelson, DVM).
- House Rabbit Society. Healthy Rabbit Diet.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Disorders and Diseases of Rabbits.
If your rabbit has eaten something harmful, or stops eating or passing droppings, contact a veterinarian who treats rabbits right away, even if your rabbit seems fine. Rabbits cannot vomit, so do not try to make your rabbit throw up.