The diet of rabbits consists not only of grain mixtures and feed. The list of ingredients must be supplemented with vegetables and fruits. Carrots, pumpkin, apples, pears and many other products will benefit animals. It is difficult for a farmer to decide which vegetables are preferable for pets and whether dried apples can be given to rabbits. In such matters, it is better to consult with professionals.
Is it possible to feed rabbits apples?
The fragrant apple will appeal to rabbits of different breeds.The composition of the healing fruit includes almost all the substances necessary for the normal development and maintenance of animal health. Just a few pieces of apple provide your pet with:
- phosphorus;
- iron;
- copper;
- potassium;
- fiber.
Organic acids relieve the rabbit of dental plaque and strengthen the immune system.
In winter, animals lack warmth and sunlight. The ruddy fruits will help the fluffy beauties recharge with energy and get through difficult times without any problems.
Fruits are vital for pregnant and lactating rabbits. Even a well-composed diet cannot satisfy all the needs of the female. During the dark winter months, apples will provide the rabbit with vitamins A, B and C. However, we must not forget that excessive consumption of apples leads to serious intestinal upset for the pet. The owner’s task is to find a middle ground and provide the animals with adequate nutrition.
Ripe
Fresh apples are champions by iron content. Ripe fruits will benefit both adults and small rabbits. Pregnant females especially need apples, because the health of the future offspring depends on the quality of the diet.
It is advisable to treat your pets with fruits from your own garden. This way, owners don’t have to worry about the quality of the food. Store-bought fruits can be treated with chemicals, which means they are dangerous for animals. Fruits should be ripe and sweet. Sour fruits will not bring pleasure to furry pets and can cause diarrhea in the animal.
Dried
Dried apple slices are a real concentrate of vitamins and minerals that rabbits need. Dried fruits are easy to introduce into your pet's diet. The food does not cause intestinal upset in animals.However, it must be taken into account that the calorie content of dried fruits is 4 times higher than that of fresh fruits. Therefore, the daily dose of treats should not exceed 50 g.
Dry fruits are convenient to store; thin, lightweight plates do not take up extra space. It is advisable to prepare the delicacy yourself. Sliced sweet apples are laid out in a thin layer on a flat surface and dried naturally, in the open air. Ready “chips” are stored in a dry paper bag, fabric bag or glass jar.
Unripe
Sour, unripe fruits contain aggressive acid. The substance can have a detrimental effect on the rabbit’s health and lead to disruption of the pet’s digestive organs. The impact of acid irreversibly deteriorates the tooth enamel in the animal’s mouth. It is allowed to feed animals with fruits of medium ripeness. However, such fruits are given to rabbits in limited quantities. An adult pet can eat several pieces of treats without harming its health. You cannot feed eared pets with unripe, green fruits.
Apple pulp
Cake is not suitable for decorative breeds. The sensitive gastrointestinal tract of pets cannot digest apple pomace. Eating rough food can cause your pet to develop diarrhea and intestinal inflammation. Broiler rabbits willingly eat fresh apple pulp. The main thing is that the pomace be made from sweet, red fruits.
How to feed rabbits apples
For animals' delicate digestive systems, apples can become a dangerous food if pets are not prepared first. In the first days, the rabbit is treated to a small piece of fruit and the animal’s well-being is monitored throughout the day.If the handsome eared dog behaves calmly and does not show signs of intestinal upset, the portion of the treat can be increased.
The animal is accustomed to succulent food from a young age. 2 months after birth, the pet begins to be fed with tiny pieces of fruit.
Norm per day
The optimal portion for an adult animal is a medium apple, weighing 100-120 g. For a small rabbit, 3 slices of fruit, weighing 30 g, are enough. For lactating females, the portion of the treat is increased to 140 g per day.
If we are talking about dried apples, the dose is reduced by 3-4 times. When accustoming your pet to juicy fruit, you need to adhere to the rule: the treat can be given to the rabbit only after the main feeding. The animal should not enjoy fruit on an empty stomach. Before feeding, the apple is doused with boiling water and peeled. The core, along with the seeds, is removed from the fruit.
Experienced owners advise stringing apple pieces onto a wire. This trick will help avoid dirt and rotting food. The resulting “beads” are hung from the bars of the cage. Adults are treated to an apple 3-4 times a week. Rabbits eat succulent food no more than 2 times a week.
Combination with other products
Decorative rabbits are given an apple no more than once a week. 2-3 small pieces of fruit will not harm your pet. Apples should not be mixed with other products. If your pet's diet includes other fruits and vegetables, it is best to give them to your rabbit at the next feeding.
This rule applies to all representatives of the large rabbit family. Pumpkin, carrots, beets, pears and other juicy foods are given to pets separately from apples.Juicy food makes up a third of the animals’ daily diet, so dividing the ingredients into separate portions is not difficult.
Possible digestive problems
Excess of succulent food often leads to disorders of the intestinal tract of animals. The rabbit develops diarrhea, the animal becomes lethargic and depressed. The owner's inaction can result in the death of the pet, so immediate action must be taken:
- Juicy food is replaced with dry twigs and hay.
- As a drinking liquid, the drinking bowl is filled with a decoction of oak bark. If necessary, replace the decoction with strong brewed tea.
- For additional treatment, short oak logs are placed in the cage. Small cuts of bird cherry are also suitable. The bark is not removed from trees.
If the disease has progressed and the diarrhea cannot be stopped, the pet is given smecta. The drug is given to the animal using a pipette or syringe without a needle.
