Peaches For Rabbits: Feeding Guide, Nutrition & Facts

Planning for your rabbit’s diet is a challenging task for every owner. That is because rabbits tend to be more sensitive in their digestive function than other pet animals. Moreover, their diet will depend on different factors such as age, weight, and if they have any underlying illness. The best option for you is to ask your pet’s veterinarian to know what’s a balanced diet for them.

According to some reports, eating veggies and fruits for your rabbit is safe as long as you feed them with the right measurement. The starting age for rabbits to eat a variety of food is 6 months and above. Aside from veggies, you should not forget to include hays and pellets because these will be your pet’s main source of nutrients since they need lots of fiber to improve their digestion and distribute all the nutrients they gather from the meal.

One of the fruits that your rabbit can safely eat is peaches. Aside from it being an enjoyable snack for your pet, it also provides health advantages to their body. If you want to know more about peaches and rabbits, keep reading this article.

Peaches and Rabbit

Peaches, or what they also call Prunus persica, are fruits produced by a deciduous tree that has originated from Northwest China. With it being a popular and delicious fruit, peaches are now produced worldwide. In addition, peaches are identical varieties of nectarines. It is also characterized by the bearing of fuzz on their skin or surface.

Since peaches contain vitamins such as vitamins C and A, antioxidants, and other minerals, veterinarians consider this fruit a safe food to add to your pet’s diet. However, you must remember that fruits and vegetables should not be the main food source for your rabbit. Although your pet is considered a herbivore animal, they are the kind of species that feeds on grass and plants. Rabbits cannot digest too much sugar from fruits because it can lead to obesity.

Feeding Guide for Rabbits

Feeding rabbits needs a plan to balance your pet’s body’s nutrition. Breast Milk is the primary source of their nutrients for baby rabbits, but hay and grass become their main staple diet as they grow older. Although fruits and vegetables are also part of their meal because they can be additional nourishment for rabbits, it’s advisable that you only give them to your pet as a reward treat or an occasional part of their supper.

To better understand the right balanced diet for your pet, kindly look at the table from the article House Rabbit Diet of Adelphi University.

Rabbit Age	Feeding Guide
Newborn Rabbits/ Under 6 months	Alfalfa-based pellets Timothy hay Fresh water Milk
6- 12 months old	Transition slowly to Timothy-based pellets Provide unlimited access to Timothy hay Slowly decrease the amount of Alfalfa Slowly introduce small amounts of vegetables and fruits to your rabbit one at a time (broccoli, spinach, carrots, peaches, apple, and blueberry) Unlimited access to Freshwater
Adult Rabbits/ 12 months and above	1/8 to ¼ of a cup of Timothy-based pellets An unlimited amount of Timothy hay Three-quarters of a cup of fresh vegetables daily (3 different types of vegetables with at least one that contains Vitamin A) Small pieces of safe fruit 2 or 3 days a week Unlimited access to Freshwater

Feeding Guideline Table source: House Rabbit Diet, https://home.adelphi.edu/~tw17718/Diet.html. Accessed 9 January 2023.

Food is an important part of your rabbit’s life, so you need to know the importance of a balanced diet. In addition, you should also take note that when introducing a new food, such as peaches, to your pet, ensure that you transition them into eating the fruit. In that way, they will get benefits rather than an upset stomach.

Cut in small pieces

Like other fruits. You should cut the peaches into small pieces to avoid choking incidents in your pet. Since pets will surely love to munch on this fruit because of its sweet taste. Moreover, it will be easier for your pet to bite on small pieces because they have small mouths. Hence, the breakdown of the fruit will also help their digestion get the nutrients and distribute them all over their body.

Offer the peach as a treat

Aside from putting the pieces of peach on their meal, you can also offer the fruit as a treat. You can take this opportunity for you and the rabbit to form a bond through hand feeding. In that way, they will trust you more. According to the National Library of Medicine, physical interaction between humans and animals builds trust and empathy. That is why you should look beyond feeding your rabbit because this can also be an activity for you and your pet.

Nutritional Value of Peaches

Peaches contain different nutrients that your rabbit can benefit from. Such as Vitamin A and C, antioxidants, and selenium. If you feed your pet in moderation, it can support and boost the rabbit’s immune system. Helping their body fight known bacteria and common illnesses.

In addition, peaches are also filled with carotenoids and phenols. These substances are responsible for fighting a rabbit’s cancer. Though there have not been enough studies and research on the relationship between peaches and their results in fighting the said disease, the influence of the composition found in peaches can assist your pet’s body to develop a healthy stamina that cannot catch diseases easily.

Although planning a diet serves as a good strategy to ensure your pet’s wellness, it is also important that your pet has an active lifestyle. Visiting their vet twice a year is recommended to check if there’s any underlying disease so that it will not lead to further complications and can be treated earlier.

To guide you better, here is the list of foods your rabbit can safely eat.

Foods that are NOT safe for your rabbit:

Conclusion

Your pet can safely eat peaches but in moderation.
Peaches are also known as Prunus Persica, which originated in Northwest China. But due to the popularity of the fruits, it is now available worldwide.
As rabbits grow older, their nutritional needs change because of their body needs. More hay and grass are required, and you can add fruits and vegetables as a side dish to their meal.
When feeding your rabbit with peaches or other fruits, remember to cut them into small pieces to make it easier for your pet to chew. This will also help you control the measurements of fruit intake for rabbits. Note that excessive intake can lead to unbalanced nutrients that will upset your pet’s digestion.
Hand-feeding your rabbit with pieces of peach can be a bonding activity for you and your pet.
Peaches contain vast amounts of nutrients. That is why it can be a source of vitamins A and C, antioxidants, selenium, and carotenoids for your rabbit.