What Fruits Can My Rabbits Eat?

Fruit can be a delicious treat for rabbits; sweet, hydrating, and packed with vitamins. However, because fruit is naturally high in sugar, it must be fed sparingly, with the focus remaining on a diet of hay, leafy greens, and a small amount of pellets.

This guide explains exactly which fruits rabbits can eat, how to prepare them, how often they should be offered, and which fruits must be avoided.

Essential Rules Before Feeding Fruit to Rabbits

• Fruit is a treat; not a daily food. Offer small portions 2–3 times per week at most.
• Introduce slowly to avoid diarrhoea or digestive imbalance.
• Always wash fruit thoroughly to remove pesticides.
• Remove pits, stones, seeds, and tough skins unless stated safe.
• Monitor droppings for soft stools as this means the fruit offered was too much or too rich.
• Never feed fruit to baby rabbits under 12 weeks old.

Safe Fruits for Rabbits

Apples

Benefits: Hydration, fibre, and vitamin C.
How to serve: Remove core and seeds (toxic); offer small slices.
Note: One small slice is enough for most rabbits.

Pears

Benefits: High in fibre and gentle on digestion.
How to serve: Remove seeds and core; cut into small cubes.
Caution: High natural sugar; limit strictly.

Bananas

Benefits: Potassium and natural sweetness.
How to serve: Thin slices only.
Warning: One of the highest-sugar fruits; very easy to overfeed.
Tip: Useful for disguising medication in tiny amounts.

Strawberries

Benefits: Hydrating, full of antioxidants.
How to serve: Washed, tops removed, sliced.
Note: Tops (leaves) are also safe in moderation.

Raspberries

Benefits: Low-sugar berry with fibre.
How to serve: Whole or halved.
Tip: One to two berries is a suitable portion.

Blueberries

Benefits: High in antioxidants.
How to serve: Washed and offered whole.
Note: Can stain fur around the mouth.

Blackberries

Benefits: Great source of fibre.
How to serve: Washed; offer 1–2 berries.
Caution: Sticky juice may cling to fur.

Grapes

Benefits: Hydrating and tasty.
How to serve: Cut in halves; seeds removed.
Caution: Very high in sugar; 1 grape per serving only.

Cherries (Flesh Only)

Benefits: Vitamin-rich treat.
How to serve: Remove pits and stems; offer flesh only.
Important: Pits contain cyanide so ensure none remain.

Mango

Benefits: Vitamin A and natural sweetness.
How to serve: Peel; remove stone; cut into small cubes.
Note: Sticky but popular with rabbits.

Pineapple

Benefits: Contains vitamin C and digestive enzymes.
How to serve: Fresh pineapple only; remove skin and core; offer small cubes.
Avoid: Canned pineapple in syrup.

Melon (Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Honeydew)

Benefits: Extremely hydrating.
How to serve: Flesh only; remove seeds and rind.
Tip: Great for hot weather but watch sugar levels.

Kiwi

Benefits: Vitamin C and fibre.
How to serve: Peel fuzzy skin; cut into small chunks.
Caution: High acidity may bother sensitive rabbits.

Papaya

Benefits: Excellent for digestion.
How to serve: Remove seeds; slice soft orange flesh.
Tip: Useful during mild digestive slowdowns (but not GI stasis).

Peach

Benefits: Hydrating and full of vitamin A.
How to serve: Remove the stone; offer small slices.
Avoid: Canned peaches which are full of added sugar.

Plum

Benefits: Soft and easy to chew.
How to serve: Remove the pit completely; cut into tiny pieces.
Caution: High sugar and can loosen stools so offer sparingly.

Apricot

Benefits: Vitamin-rich but sweet.
How to serve: Remove pit; cut flesh into very small pieces.
Note: Fresh apricots only.

Cranberries

Benefits: Antioxidants and tart flavour.
How to serve: Fresh or unsweetened dried cranberries (1–2 only).
Avoid: Sweetened dried cranberries and cranberry juice.

Figs

Benefits: Calcium and fibre.
How to serve: Fresh or dried (unsweetened).
Caution: Very sugary.

Dragon Fruit

Benefits: Hydrating and full of minerals.
How to serve: Scoop flesh; offer a teaspoon-sized portion.
Fun: Seeds are safe and easy for rabbits to chew.

Fruits Rabbits Can Eat Only With Caution

Tomatoes (Ripe Flesh Only)

• Avoid: Leaves, stems, and green tomatoes. These are toxic.
• Safe: A tiny piece of ripe red tomato flesh.
• Caution: Acidic and watery; not ideal as a regular treat.

Dried Fruits

• Very high in sugar so offer only the smallest amounts.
• Avoid completely: Fruit coated in sugar, syrup, or preservatives.

Citrus Fruits (Oranges, Clementines, Lemons, Limes)

• Safe in tiny amounts, but acidity may cause mouth irritation.
• Offer only a small segment occasionally.

Fruits Rabbits Must Never Eat

Avocado

Contains persin, which is toxic to rabbits.
Avoid completely.

Rhubarb

Leaves and stalks contain toxic oxalates.
Never offer.

Fruit Seeds and Pits

Many contain cyanide compounds.
Avoid seeds from:

• Apples
• Pears
• Apricots
• Peaches
• Cherries
• Plums

Unripe or Mouldy Fruit

Toxic fungi and high starch content.
Always feed fresh, ripe fruit only.

How Much Fruit Should a Rabbit Eat?

A sensible guideline:

• Adult rabbits: 1–2 tablespoons of mixed fruit, 2–3 times per week.
• Overweight rabbits: Avoid fruit until weight is stable.
• Baby rabbits: No fruit until over 12 weeks old.

Fruit should always remain a rare treat, not a substantial part of the diet.

A healthy rabbit diet should include:

• 90% hay (timothy, orchard, meadow, etc.)
• A handful of leafy greens daily
• A small amount of pellets
• Fruit only as occasional enrichment

Fruit Portions by Rabbit Size

Small rabbits (under 1.5kg)

• 1 teaspoon of fruit per serving

Medium rabbits (1.5–2.5kg)

• 1 tablespoon per serving

Large rabbits (over 2.5kg)

• Up to 2 tablespoons per serving

Signs Your Rabbit Has Had Too Much Fruit

Watch for:

• Soft stools or diarrhoea
• Excessive cecotropes
• Lethargy
• Reduced hay intake
• Signs of tummy discomfort

If symptoms persist, remove fruit and consult a rabbit specialist vet.

Fun and Enriching Ways to Serve Fruit

• Hide fruit pieces in hay for foraging.
• Mix fruit with leafy greens for a varied “salad treat”.
• Freeze tiny fruit cubes for warm summer days.
• Use fruit for training — especially small pieces of strawberry or banana.

Conclusion

Fruit can be an enjoyable and enriching treat for rabbits when offered safely and in moderation. With this guidance, rabbit owners can confidently choose appropriate fruits, understand portion control, and avoid dangerous options like avocado and rhubarb.

Hay is the cornerstone of a healthy rabbit diet, fruit is simply the occasional sweet bonus.