Yes, Rabbits Can Eat Watermelon! But Follow These 4 Tips

You might wonder, can rabbits eat watermelon? And how much of it should you feed to your buns?

Rabbits can eat small amounts of watermelon without the rind. Remove as many seeds as possible, and don’t feed watermelon daily as it’s high in sugar, which can cause health problems such as digestive issues or, more rarely, diabetes.

Let’s dive into four tips for feeding watermelon to your rabbit safely.

Is Watermelon Healthy for Rabbits?

One of the main benefits of watermelon is its water content. Watermelon consists of 92% water. It’s a good thing to feed on hot days to provide added hydration for your bunnies.

Watermelon also contains vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, fiber, calcium, magnesium, and potassium–all of which are beneficial to rabbits. However, it also contains a lot of sugar, which can be dangerous in high quantities.

This is why you should only feed your rabbit small bits of watermelon rather than an entire slice, and it shouldn’t be a regular part of their diet.

4 Tips For Feeding Watermelon to Your Rabbit

#1: Feed Watermelon in Moderation

While watermelon is safe for rabbits, they shouldn’t eat it every day. Offer your rabbit only one small piece of watermelon as an occasional treat.

Your rabbit’s diet should consist of primarily hay in addition to daily fresh herbs and vegetables and a small amount of quality rabbit pellets.

#2: Remove the Seeds

You don’t need to be perfect about this–but it’s a good idea to remove most of the black seeds from the watermelon before serving it to your bunny.

One or two missed seeds are unlikely to hurt them, but seeds shouldn’t be a regular part of their diet and can present a choking hazard.

#3: Wash the Watermelon Before Cutting Into It

If you’re cutting up an entire melon, it’s important to wash it first so that the knife doesn’t transfer pesticides onto the fruit. Rabbits are small, sensitive animals and may be more impacted by these chemicals than humans.

You can skip this step if you’ve purchased pre-cut watermelon from the store, as this doesn’t need to be washed.

#4: Rabbits Cannot Eat Watermelon Rinds

Watermelon rinds are difficult to digest and can cause health issues such as intestinal blockages. Before feeding watermelon to your rabbit, cut off the rind. Feed only small parts of the watermelon flesh.

Overall, watermelon is a good treat if you want to give your rabbits something special! Make sure to remove the seeds and rind, and to feed watermelon only in moderation.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Yanya/Shutterstock.com