Hay is an essential part of a rabbit's diet. Not only is it low in calories and high in fiber, but it also helps keep the teeth of these small mammals in good condition, regulates the digestive system and is an important factor in maintaining a he althy weight.
This does not mean that it should be your only source of food, it is advisable to supplement with different types of fruits and vegetables. Not all are recommended, do you want to know if tomatoes are good for rabbits? our site offers you this quick guide to know if rabbits can eat tomato
Is tomato good for rabbits?
The answer to this question is yes! Rabbits can eat tomato, but it should not be one of their main sources of nutrition. However, it is an excellent option to vary their diet and even to offer it as a prize, since they like this fruit very much. It is important to remember that we must offer only the tomato, without parts of the plant such as leaves, flowers and stems, as they are toxic.
There are various types of tomatoes, from the typical round and very red, to elongated tomatoes and the popular cherry tomatoes, the main ingredient in gourmet preparations. Due to their size, the latter are practical for animals such as rabbits, so it is very common to ask, can rabbits eat cherry tomatoes? The answer is again positive. No matter the size of the tomato, as long as it is ripe, clean, fresh and free of leaves, it does not represent a danger to the rabbit.
Now, what about other varieties of rabbits? Can dwarf rabbits eat tomatoes? Again, yes, no there is inconvenience if a dwarf rabbit eats tomato. In this case, however, the size of the pieces must be taken into account so that there is no risk of suffocation.
Benefits of tomato for your rabbit
Tomato is good for rabbits, not only because they can eat it without risk of poisoning, but also because it provides different benefits. It is a source of vitamin A, C and B6, as well as potassium and antioxidants. Thanks to these components, the properties of tomato for rabbits are:
- Helps prevent premature aging
- Reduce the cholesterol
- Helps prevent cardiovascular diseases and risks of heart attack
- It is a diuretic, so it helps expel toxins
- Reduces the risk of infections
- It favors the immune system, so it helps prevent diseases
- Regulates intestinal transit
- Protects the skin
All these benefits, however, apply only to red and ripe tomatoes. Can rabbits eat green tomatoes? In this case, it is recommended to be careful not to offer green tomatoes, as they are toxic and rabbits could suffer allergic reactions or poisoning.
How to feed rabbits tomato?
Now that you know that rabbits can eat red tomatoes, not green, it's time to explain how best to add it to your diet. The process is relatively simple, just select a tomato that is quite red and wash it very well.
Then the upper part must be removed, where the small fork that joined the tomato to the stem is located. In case it has leaves, they should also be removed. Then, it only remains to cut the tomato into small pieces according to the size of the animal, very large pieces are dangerous because there is a risk of suffocation.
Should the tomato be peeled first? Can rabbits eat tomato peel? The answer is positive again, rabbits can safely eat tomaire peel. It is not necessary to peel or remove the skin, you just have to remember that the tomato is an occasional ingredient in the diet, it is recommended to offer a few pieces once or twice a week at most.
What to avoid?
Although tomatoes are good for rabbits, you shouldn't overuse them to avoid he alth problems. Also, bruised parts should be avoided and rotten parts removed completely. They must be red and in good condition. An overcooked tomato can cause severe diarrhea or intoxication in the rabbit.
The tomato must be given raw, never in the form of sauce, not even homemade. In addition, it is not recommended to offer canned tomatoes or tomato sauce preparations, since these products contain preservatives, chemicals, sugars and other components that are harmful to rabbits. It is also not recommended to cook tomatoes before feeding them to rabbits, as during this process their chemical composition changes and they become more acidic than raw tomatoes.
He althy food for rabbits
Do you want to know he althy, appetizing and varied food for rabbits? Here are some that you can safely include in your diet:
- Cabbage
- Spinach
- Carrot Leaves
- Celery
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Alfafa
- Chard
- Arugula
- Endive
- Jewish
