Can Bunnies Eat Pears? Amazing Rabbit Fruit Answers (And 8 Nutrients)

Can bunnies eat pears? I can’t tell you how many times I get asked that come harvest season. A funny saying goes, “Pears are failed apples,” but in reality, pears never fail in their freshness, sweetness, and nutritional values. However, one of the varieties of pears, known as nashi, appears very much like an apple. Pears trees are medium-sized and grown effectively in coastal and temperate regions of Europe, North Africa, and Asia. 

Like any other fruit, pears are also judged by their nutritional values. Raw pears of 100 g containing 84% water and 15 % carbohydrate supply 239 kilojoules of energy, which may not seem significant for humans but do exceptionally well for bunnies.

Can Bunnies Eat Pears? Bunnies Require A Balanced Diet

To be home surrounded by a little bunny is always a great feeling. Bunnies are known for their gentle behavior and adorable beauty. They are very loyal pets and easy to train. 

However, their eating habits are notorious, and owners must monitor their pets closely. Generally, most rabbit owners complain about their health as bunnies quickly catch stomach infections due to eating habits. 

As per nidirect.gov.uk and pubmed.gov, a rabbit diet must contain high fiber to protect their teeth and keep their intestines functioning correctly, which they get by consuming hay and dried fresh grass.

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Bunnies Benefit Largely From Pears

However, you need to supply your bunnies with other essential foods to prevent them from getting bored. Pears provide that necessary enlightenment to the bunnies without compromising their nutritional values. A diet for bunnies must be balanced, considering their feeding behavior and gastrointestinal history.    

According to HealthLine.com, small pears offer 178g of nutrition.

S.No	Nutrients	Amount	World Healthiest Food Ratings
1.	Calories	101	low
2.	Proteins	1	low
3.	Carbs	27	low
4.	Fiber	6	very good
5.	Vitamin C	12% of the daily value	good
6.	Vitamin K	6% of the daily value	good
7.	Potassium	4% of the daily value	good
8.	Copper	16 % of the daily value	good

Pears with red skin contain carotenoids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. These chemicals provide numerous health benefits and also act as antioxidants.

Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging 2011 found that pears were among the diet’s top contributors to flavonoids. Flavonoids are antioxidants that protect against stressors and toxins.

How To Feed Pears To Bunnies?

Before feeding any food to bunnies, always remember that their digestive tract is different from humans.

1. Like any other food, it is essential to check that the fruit is not stale and then wash it properly to remove any chemicals. Try to feed only organic or homegrown pears to avoid any side effects of pesticides.
2. Recommended serving limit of a pear is one tablespoon for every one lb. (0.40.5 kg) of rabbit’s body weight per day.

Rabbit weight	Recommended serving Limit	Consideration
1.81 kg	Two teaspoons or one tablespoon	Age and gastrointestinal sensitivity must be kept in knowledge.
Baby Rabbit	None	Mother’s milk, nibbles of alfalfa, and pellets

3. It is best not to feed pears to rabbits under the age of 7 months due to their gastrointestinal sensitivity. Generally, baby bunnies are dependent on their mother’s milk for a few weeks to keep their gastrointestinal sensitivity intact. Therefore, other food must be introduced slowly into their diet by keeping a careful watch on their stomach.
4. It is essential to cut the pears in small quantities, and it is even better to remove the seeds. Pears seeds are known to contain cyanide which may prove fatal to bunnies if consumed in large quantities. However, there is no need to get anxious if your bunny finishes two or three seeds.

Things To Remember Before Feeding Pears To Bunnies

Before introducing any fresh foods to a rabbit, it is best if the bunny eats grass hay for a minimum of 2 weeks. The majority diet of the bunny shall be composed of grass hay, as it is rich in vitamin A and Vitamin D, which promotes the gastrointestinal tract of bunnies.” (source)

1. Avoid Alfalfa variety hay in large quantities due to its high protein content, making it unsuitable for bunnies’ digestion.
2. Avoid feeding canned/stored pears to bunnies, as processed food is unsuitable for digestion.

Health Benefits To Rabbits From Eating Pears

Pears are more of a treat to bunnies than nutritious. However, there are certain benefits, as shown below.

1. Pears have antioxidant properties that can help your bunny live a long life.
2. Pears provide moisture in the fruit, suitable for kidney and bladder function. (source)

Take Note

Keeping the prescribed limit in knowledge while feeding and letting the bunny get used to a new food before supplying more; otherwise, it may lead to gastrointestinal infection and diarrhea.

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Final Thoughts

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “There are only ten minutes in the life of a pear when it is perfect to eat.” The same goes for feeding pears to bunnies. If pears are fresh, organic, and supplied in Adequate Quantity as per their body requirement, it is a treat for little bunnies to have them.

They love pears and will love a person more who offers pears to them. However, you must keep an eye on its quality and quantity to protect your little friends from any trouble and extract the maximum from this delicious fruit.

Frequently Asked Questions