The safety and benefits of oranges to rabbits isn’t in doubt. However, you need to know the right amount to give your bunnies and whether they can also have orange peels and juice.
Oranges (Citrus × sinensis) are some of the most popular fruits praised for their various nutritional value. They are collective with lemons, limes, citrons, yuzu, tangerines, clementine, pomelos, grapefruits, Tangelos, Ugli fruits, among others referred to as citrus fruits and belong to the same genus Citrus in the family Rutaceae.
There are four main varieties of oranges, i.e., the common oranges (like Valencia, Hamlin, and Hart’s Tardiff Valencia), hybrids, and navel (such as Cara cara navels), blood and acidless oranges.
Finally, while mandarin, bergamot, trifoliate and bitter oranges bear the name and are citrus fruits, they are not necessarily Citrus × sinensis.
Oranges originated from Myanmar, south china, and northwest India and are grown in tropical and subtropical climates.
Nutritional profile per 100g
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Carbohydrate | 11.75g |
| Sugars | 9.35g |
| Dietary fiber | 2.4gg |
| Proteins | 0.9g |
| Fats | 0.1g |
Besides the above, oranges are a good source of vitamin C and have low to moderate amounts of other vitamins and minerals, including thiamine, vitamin B6, calcium, folate, potassium, and phytonutrients.
Depending on the specific variety, their acidity (pH) ranges from 2.9-4.0, and the ratio of sugar to acids will determine how sweet or tart they are. On average, the citric acid is a fifth that in limes and lemon juices, standing at 47 g/l.
Are oranges good for rabbits
Yes. Oranges are good for rabbits but must be fed in moderation as a treat without seeds as they may present a choking problem. Keep the amount small such as a single section or segment once or twice a week. Bunnies will enjoy and like oranges due to their sweet taste and may want more.
They can also eat the pith, the stringy, spongy white skin between the peel (has more antioxidants and fiber), and orange fruit pulp meal since they are all safe. Let us look at their nutritional profile and benefits
Benefits
Oranges make an excellent healthy treat to your furry friend to bring in a new taste, textures, and benefits that include the following:
1. Have phytonutrients
They have phytonutrients like beta-cryptoxanthin, beta-carotene, lycopene, naringenin, hesperidin, and anthocyanins (in the dark-red or blood varieties) serve as powerful antioxidants.
Antioxidants counterbalance free radicals generated from metabolism or due to external stressors and toxins. If not neutralized, free radicals are known to cause cell damage, premature aging, inflammation, some chronic illnesses in humans, and many animals, including your rabbits.
2. They have a low glycemic index
Despite appearing higher in sugars, their high fiber and polyphenol compounds make their low ow glycemic index (GI) low, ranging from 31-51. GI measures the speed at which the various sugars enter into the bloodstream.
3. Dietary fiber
While not a lot, they have some dietary fiber with pectin, lignin hemicellulose, and cellulose, which will nourish the cecum microbiota and help keep things flowing inside your rabbit’s tummy.
4. Rich in vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that will help boost immunity, prevent some diseases, and participate in various oxygen-related biochemical reactions.
Indeed, rabbits don’t need vitamin C since their liver can manufacture enough for their use. However, stress, hot weather, weaning, and sickness may hamper synthesis. During such times, they will benefit from the additional amount in their diets, including their oranges and their peels.
However, avoid giving your bunnies too much vitamin C as it can cause kidney damage, warns University California, Agriculture, and Natural Resources.
Avoid a lot of oranges
Despite the many benefits, your rabbits shouldn’t eat a lot since all treats should not exceed 10% of their food intake, ideally, 0-5%.
Too many fruits may cause gastrointestinal upsets since they are high in acids and sugars. These two may alter the delicate microbiota balance leading to gas, diarrhea, and other stomach problems. Treats include commercially bought, non-leafy veggies, fruits, herbs, and flowers.
Also, too much is likely to cause obesity since they have calories from the sugars. Obesity will affect your rabbit’s health, longevity, grooming, and so on.
Orange juice
Orange juice is safe for rabbits. A study on orange juice showed it lowers bad cholesterol or low-density lipoproteins (LDL). However, the reduced LDC cholesterol induced by dietary citrus juices could be due to endogenous effects of juice component,”
However, since it is higher in citric acid and sugar and doesn’t have any fiber, we recommend you skip it or add just a little in their water or food to encourage eating.
Can rabbits eat orange peels
Yes. Rabbits can eat orange peels as a treat. They are safe. A few 2-3 bite-size peels are enough for your furry friend. However, ensure you thoroughly clean the fruit before peeling it to remove any remnant pesticides that will harm your furry friend.
Orange peels are much healthier than the fruit itself as they have more dietary fiber and have no sugars. Per 100g grams, they have 72.5g water, 25g carbohydrates of which there is 10.6g dietary fiber with total calories of 97. However, they are higher in calories and carbohydrates, so you need to give them in moderation.
They are also rich in vitamin C and some amount of folate, niacin, vitamin A, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, thiamin, calcium, vitamin B6, calcium (161mg per 100g), magnesium, and potassium.
When compared to the fruit, the orange peels have a higher activity of various polyphenols. Some polyphenols include hesperidin and polymethoxyflavones (though to have anti-cancer effect), nobiletin, tangeretin, and other potent flavonoids antioxidants and some anti-inflammatory properties.
While they have volatile oils such as d-limonene and linalool with insecticidal activity, their low concentration is unlikely to harm your furry friend.
Finally, since some peels do have a bitter taste, some rabbits may not enjoy eating them. Please don’t force them to overeat.
Plant – leaves and branches
Rabbits can eat orange leaves or any part of the plant. Even in the wild, they will eat young shoots of the various citrus trees. If you plant them, consider having a rabbit-proof fence or use other means of deterring bunnies.
Warning
If you have diabetic rabbits, don’t give them oranges or any other fruits high in sugar since it may contribute to a rise in blood sugar level.
Similarly, don’t give these fruits to bunnies with any other chronic illness, including kidney or liver diseases, before consulting your vet.