Watermelon is the fruit or vine-like flowering plant, botanically known as Citrullus lanatus in the family Cucurbitaceae (guard family or cucurbits), which also has pumpkins, squash, zucchinis, melon, cucumber, etc.
Watermelon is a berry, and people eat its sweet juicy pink to deep red flesh. Some people also eat its nutty-flavored black seeds after they have dried, ground to flour, or roasted, especially in China during Chinese New Year or Vietnamese New Year celebration in Vietnam
Finally, the rind, which is tougher with a less appealing flavor, may be eaten as a vegetable once cooked (stewed or stir-fried) or after it has been pickled.
Nutrition
Considering its nutritional profile, per 100 grams, watermelon has 91.45g water, 7.55g carbohydrates (with 6.2g sugars and 0.4g dietary fiber), 0.15g fats, and 0.61g Protein. It also has vitamin C, A, B1, B6, magnesium, potassium, phytonutrients, and other minerals in small quantities.
Can rabbits eat watermelon?
Yes. Rabbits can eat watermelon in moderation as a treat occasionally, like once or twice a week. Give them about a teaspoon for every two pounds of their weight and remove seeds (unless you have the seedless variety) as they present a choking hazard.
Treats should account for up to 5% of their total food intake, and they include all fruits, non-leafy veggies, commercial treats, or flowers you give these pets.
Are they good or have any benefits?
Yes. Watermelons are good for your rabbits, and they have several benefits that include the following:
1. Have vital nutrients
From its nutritional profile, it has some nutrients that are vital to your rabbit health and immunity. For instance, vitamin A helps in growth, reproduction, tissue development, maintaining cell membrane integrity, improving sight or vision, and so on.
On the other hand, vitamin B1 works as an enzyme cofactor, while vitamin B6 will aid in amino acid metabolism.
However, while it is high in vitamin C, rabbits can make their own unless they are unwell, stressed, or nursing. During this time, they cannot make enough.
Finally, magnesium is part of bones, helps transmit impulses, and works as an enzyme cofactor. Potassium has a role in blood and body fluid pH regulation and is an enzyme cofactor.
2. Antioxidant-rich
Vitamin C and phytonutrients like lycopene and cucurbitacin E are antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory agents will help counteract the damage effects of free radicals and help prevent some illnesses like cancer while promoting cardiovascular health.
3. Will boost hydration
If your rabbits don’t drink much water, incorporating watermelon (has a lot of water) or other fruits, together with their fresh leafy greens, may help promote hydration.
4. Offers variety
One way to keep your rabbits interested is to keep varying the treats you offer them. Watermelons are such a great way to provide variety, i.e., a new taste and texture.
Feeding
We receive tons of complaints that certain fruits or vegetables resulted in diarrhea, gas, and other stomach upsets. While few may be genuine cases, others are related to how you feed these foods to your furry friend. Here are some tips to guide you through:
1. Introduce properly
Once you have your fresh watermelon (no wilted or spoilt), cut it into wedges, remove seeds and then dice it into small bite-size (to make eating easier or less messy as they may stain their fur).
When feeding watermelons to rabbits for the first time and start with a very tiny amount and see how their tummies react after a day. You can then gradually increase the amount for the next up to a week if there are no cases of stomach upsets, diarrhea, or gas.
Always introduce only one kind of new food at a time and discontinue it, revert to the usual diets your bunny eats in case of stomach problems.
Finally, you can incorporate melons in their puzzle toys to help stimulate them mentally and keep them busy and entertained. Just hide in these toys and let them find it.
2. No to seeds
While some people may eat them, always remove them since they present a choking hazard to your rabbits as well as gastrointestinal blockages. Furthermore, rabbits may not be able to watermelon digest them well.
3. Yes, to the rind
Rabbits can eat watermelon rind plus the skin. It is lower in sugar, making it healthier for these animals, and has even a higher amount of citrulline amino acid. Therefore, if you intend to offer them the rind, ensure you thoroughly clean your melon to get rid of any traces of pesticides or herbicides and cut it into bite-size since chewing it may be challenging.
4. Yes, to watermelon leaves or tops
While they are not the most favored plants, rabbits can eat watermelon leaves, vines, and flowers in moderation. They are safe. Leaves and vines can be part of the leafy greens you give these pets where a provide them with a cupful of a mixture of 5-6 different greens per two pounds of their body weight.
For the case of flowers, please give them a small amount as a treat. Since their flowers are relatively larger, give them no more than one.
5. Fresh juice is ok
Fresh watermelon juice without any additive is safe for your rabbits. You can let them have a minimal amount or add it to their drinking water to encourage them to drink more. However, avoid processed juices since they tend to have added sugars and other additives that may be harmful.
6. Why is it too much bad?
Avoid giving too much watermelon to your rabbits. This fruit is high in sugar, and any excess they cannot digest will end up in their cecum, where it will wreak havoc as they may bolster the harmful stomach bacteria instead of the good ones. Therefore, the excessive melon amount may result in diarrhea, gas, and other stomach issues.
Also, since it is low in fiber yet bunnies depend on foods high in fiber, it may result in cessation or reduction of the food movement in their gut (GI stasis),
Too much watermelon may lead to weight gain since high sugars will be readily absorbed into your bunny’s body.
Finally, since they have a tooth for sweet things, they may refuse to eat their usual healthy diets. Therefore, keep this fruit as a little treat to the levels we recommended.
7. No to baby rabbits
Baby rabbits below 12 weeks shouldn’t be given watermelons or any other fruit or vegetable. After 12 weeks, you can start introducing the various vegetables and fruits slowly.
Do rabbits like them?
Yes. Bunnies love watermelons since they are sweet. Just like humans, they tend to have a tooth for sweet things. However, this isn’t the same case with the leaves or tops as they tend to prefer other plants like roses, strawberries, zinnias, carrot tops, beets, raspberries, beans, and so on.
Other rabbit safe fruits
Besides watermelons, rabbits can eat many other fruits in moderation as a treat or reward. Some of these fruits include:
- Apple (without seeds or core)
- Banana
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Cantaloupe (without seeds)
- Grapes
- Nectarine (without stone)
- Oranges
- Melons
- Pineapple
- Papaya
- Plums
When to avoid fruits
Avoid watermelon or any other fruits if your rabbit has diarrhea, bloating, and other stomach upsets. If pregnant or lactating, consult with your veterinarian before offering them any fruits.