Why
Strawberries are on the treat lists of the House Rabbit Society, which includes berries of any type, as well as the RSPCA, PDSA and Pasadena Humane. Every one of these sources treats strawberries as a treat rather than a food, because fruit is high in sugar.
A rabbit's diet leaves little room for fruit. Rabbit.org's diet guide puts hay at about 85 percent of an adult rabbit's diet and fruit and treats together at under 5 percent, and VCA Animal Hospitals advises very limited amounts of fruit because fruit is high in carbohydrates.
What to watch out for
- Large portions or daily fruit, which can lead to soft droppings and weight gain
- Overweight rabbits, which PDSA says should skip fruit treats
- Moldy or overripe berries
- Strawberry jam, yogurt-coated snacks and desserts with added sugar
- Dried strawberries, which are far more concentrated than fresh fruit
How to serve it
- Wash the berries well before serving.
- Cut a strawberry into small pieces and offer one or two.
- Keep the green top on if your rabbit likes it, or offer it on its own.
- Try a tiny piece the first time and check the droppings over the next day.
- Count the treat as part of the day's food rather than an extra on top.
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 Rabbit.org's diet guide recommends limiting fruit to a very small amount once or twice a week. For a 4 pound (about 2 kg) rabbit, about 2 teaspoons of chopped strawberry, a slice or two, is the upper limit.
Strawberry leaves and green tops
The leafy top of a strawberry is safe for rabbits. PDSA lists strawberry leaves among the plants that are safe to forage for rabbits, and Rabbit.org includes wild strawberries in its list of rabbit-safe plants.
Strawberry leaves carry far less sugar than the berry, so some owners give the tops and keep the fruit for a rare reward. Leaves from a garden strawberry patch should come from plants that have not been sprayed with pesticides.
Washing berries before serving
Strawberries grow close to the ground and should be washed carefully. Because of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV2), the House Rabbit Society recommends washing all vegetables for at least two minutes in a bowl, changing the water several times, and the same care makes sense for berries.
PDSA also advises never feeding anything that has been in contact with pesticides or fertilizers, and always washing fresh food before a rabbit eats it.
Fruit for an overweight rabbit
PDSA recommends avoiding fruit treats in overweight rabbits. Sugary foods add calories quickly for an animal that should be eating mostly hay.
PDSA suggests a simple workaround: hand out treats during the day from the rabbit's normal allowance of pellets or vegetables, so there are no hidden extras. Hiding a favorite piece of vegetable in a pile of hay turns the treat into a foraging game.
Common questions
Are strawberries good for rabbits?
Yes, as part of a hay-based diet. Strawberries are on the treat lists of the House Rabbit Society, which includes berries of any type, as well as the RSPCA, PDSA and Pasadena Humane. Every one of these sources treats strawberries as a treat rather than a food, because fruit is high in sugar.
Are strawberries bad for rabbits?
Not in sensible amounts. The main thing to watch: large portions or daily fruit, which can lead to soft droppings and weight gain.
Are rabbits allowed to have strawberries?
Yes. Wash the berries well before serving.
Can rabbits eat strawberries every day?
Daily strawberries are more than most guides advise. Rabbit.org suggests fruit only once or twice a week in very small amounts, and Pasadena Humane suggests fruit about once a week in less than a tablespoon.
Can rabbits eat dried strawberries?
Dried strawberries are best avoided. Rabbit.org notes that dried fruit is about three times as concentrated as fresh, so a small handful of dried fruit carries much more sugar than it looks.
Sources
- House Rabbit Society. Healthy Rabbit Diet.
- Rabbit.org. Healthy Rabbit Diet Guide: Safe Foods & Treats (Paige K Parsons).
- Rabbit.org. Treat Your Bunny Right (Amy Ramnaraine).
- RSPCA. What Do Rabbits Eat? Rabbit Diet Advice.
- PDSA. Feeding Your Rabbits.
- 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.