If you are a new owner of an adorable rabbit, you might wonder what a few tasty treats you can feed your rabbit are. There are plenty of safe rabbit treats you can give them. Rabbits tend to enjoy fruits and vegetables like apples, grapes, and carrots. But is it safe for rabbits to eat peanuts?

When it comes to feeding your rabbit, you generally want to stay away from nuts. Peanuts offer very little nutritional value for your rabbit. Peanuts also have a very high-fat content, so they will gain weight quickly if you feed your rabbit peanuts regularly. Not only that, but peanuts are relatively difficult for rabbits to digest. 

As you continue to read this article, it will provide you with the necessary information about feeding your rabbit peanuts. Along with this, we will also give you a few alternatives that you can feed your rabbit instead of peanuts.

A Few Facts About Peanuts

Peanuts are not technically nuts. Peanuts are considered legumes, which means peanuts are more like peas and kidney beans. Peanuts grow in the ground much like most legumes, whereas actual nuts grow on trees. From a nutritional standpoint, peanuts are well-known for their high-fat content. They pack a lot of calories into a small package. While low in carbs, peanuts are high in protein and a rich source of several vitamins and minerals.

Can Rabbits Eat Peanuts?

Even though peanuts are a great source of protein for human consumption. However, when it comes to rabbits, it is almost the complete opposite. Rabbits have a unique and sensitive digestive system that makes peanuts a poor food source or treat.

Peanuts Have Very Little Nutritional Value For Your Rabbit

Peanuts, along with peanut butter, offer little to no nutrients for your rabbits. Other than providing them with some calories to use as energy but just about nothing else. Due to how your rabbit’s digestive tract works, it cannot correctly process peanuts and absorb the protein and carbohydrates.

If you feed your rabbit peanuts, you will more than likely be doing more harm than good. Due to the digestive tract, if you provide your rabbit too many peanuts, they may become full or sick from eating them. In addition, doing this will make your rabbit not want to eat at their regular times, nor will they want to eat their everyday healthy foods, which will lead to many major health problems.

Peanuts Are Very High In Fat Content

Peanuts are heavy in fat and calories. Therefore feeding peanuts to your rabbit daily may result in excess weight growth. Obesity is a significant public health problem. Obese rabbits might have cardiac and digestive difficulties, urinary tract troubles, and even skin disorders.

Peanuts Do Not Agree With Your Rabbits Digestive System

Rabbits have a very gentle and sensitive stomach that is not properly equipped to digest complex foods like peanuts and nuts like walnuts. In addition, the nutritional makeup of a peanut, which includes high-fat content, high sugar content, and minerals like calcium, makes peanuts a bad choice of snack for your rabbit.

Your rabbit’s inability to digest these types of complex foods properly can lead to blockage in your rabbit’s digestive system. Not only that, but the large amounts of sugar in peanuts can increase the chances of harmful bacteria in your rabbit’s stomach and intestine. Producing these types of bacteria can lead to upset stomachs, bloating, and even diarrhea.

Do Rabbits Like Peanuts?

Yes, most rabbits will enjoy a peanut if you give it to them. However, this has led to many people thinking peanuts are suitable for rabbits. Peanuts for rabbits are like candy for us. Peanuts are essentially junk food for rabbits. While it’s okay to give your rabbit a peanut or two as a treat once in a while, there are far better options.

What About Peanut Hay?

Peanut hay is probably the only peanut product that is 100% safe for your rabbit to eat. Because peanuts are a legume, hay is recommended for pregnant, nursing, and underweight rabbits. The same goes for all other forms of legume hay as well. With that said, legume hay still is not the best choice for healthy rabbits. There are other hay options like timothy that offer more nutrients for your furry friend.

What Is A Healthy Diet For Rabbits?

With all of the information provided above about peanuts and rabbits, it is safe to say that peanuts should be entirely taken off the menu. However, when it comes to giving your rabbit a healthy diet, there are some things you should consider.

Rabbits will consume large amounts of hay throughout the day. The large fiber content in the hay will provide your rabbit with a healthy digestive tract. Feeding your rabbit hay will also help prevent a deadly condition called G.I. stasis.

Below will be a great list of foods that you should feed your rabbit regularly to keep them happy and healthy.

• Rabbit Food: Your store-bought rabbit food should be the primary source of nutrients for your rabbit. When shopping, look for nutritionally complete rabbit food. This food will provide all of the necessary nutrients your rabbit needs. Just be sure to check the label on the package to know how much you should be feeding your rabbit.

• Rabbit Hay: Even though your rabbit can manage on high-fiber rabbit pellets, they prefer fresh rabbit hay, which should be provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It aids in the prevention of stress and boredom, as well as the maintenance of your rabbit’s teeth.

• Bunny Salad: A salad consisting of one cup of leafy greens per two pounds of body weight. Throw in some crunchy vegetables as well. This salad will work as a perfect treat for your furry rabbit.

• Unless they’re already mixed into your rabbit’s diet, one spoonful of seeds, pumpkin seeds, pepitas, and sunflower seeds (all without salt) are all fantastic options.

• All-natural treats like colorful vegetables and just a little bit of fruit: Offer only a little amount of fruit – not much more than a teaspoon of fruit for two pounds of your rabbit’s body weight. Throughout the week, try to feed your rabbit a variety of foods.

Along with this healthy dietary list, remember to keep your rabbit’s water bottle topped off. With that said, do not forget to clean the bottle daily when you go to refill it. Doing so will help prevent your rabbit from getting sick.

Something else you will need to keep in mind is your rabbit’s dental health. While you will not be brushing their teeth, just making sure they have stuff to chew on will keep their teeth healthy. Some good options to keep your rabbit’s teeth healthy are hay cubes, coconut shells, and untreated softwood sticks.

What Are Some Foods That I Can Feed My Rabbit Instead?

There is a long list of healthy alternatives to peanuts. Rabbits’ favorite snacks are fruit and vegetables. Rabbits are also very keen on eating leafy greens as well.

Here is a list of treats you can give your rabbit as an alternative to peanuts.

• Spinach
• Beats
• Beat Tops
• Butter Lettuce
• Kale
• Basil
• Celery
• Tomatoes
• Pumpkin
• Zucchini
• Bell Peppers
• Broccoli
• Apple (no seeds)
• Summer Squash
• Winter Squash
• Cucumbers
• Carrots
• Carrot Tops
• Grapes
• Blackberries
• Blueberries

This is just a tiny snippet of the healthy snacks that you can give your rabbit. There are tons of other options that you can choose from. Just about all healthy fruits, vegetables, and herbs a rabbit will happily eat and enjoy.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to feeding rabbits peanuts, it is best to stay clear from them entirely. With that said, there are plenty of other healthy snack alternatives. Instead of feeding them a few peanuts, offer them a couple of baby carrots or a chunk of pumpkin instead.