Can Rabbits Eat Oranges?

Yes, rabbits can have fresh orange in small amounts. Stick with the juicy flesh and remove the peel and any seeds before sharing. 

Peel the orange, remove seeds, and pull away thick strings or membranes when possible.  

Skip orange juice, marmalade, dried or candied orange, and orange-flavored sweets or baked goods. These foods can contain concentrated or added sugar, along with fat, dairy, and other ingredients that don’t belong in a rabbit’s diet. 

If you’d rather reach for a treat made for rabbits, a few better options than fruit include:  

Oranges aren’t something your rabbit needs, but that doesn’t mean they have nothing to offer. In a small serving, oranges can: 

• Add a little hydration: Oranges contain a lot of water, so every bite comes with some extra fluid. Your rabbit still needs unlimited access to fresh water, of course. 
• Provide antioxidants: Oranges contain antioxidants and other plant compounds, which help protect your rabbit’s cells and support overall health. 
• Keep treats interesting: The juicy texture, citrusy smell, and sweet flavor give your rabbit something different from their usual greens. 

And while oranges are famous for their vitamin C, your rabbit doesn’t need them for it. Rabbits make their own vitamin C, so think of orange as a tasty extra rather than a nutritional necessity. 

Oranges aren’t bad for rabbits in the right amount. Most of the trouble comes from sharing too much or giving your rabbit orange-flavored foods instead of a small piece of fresh fruit.  

The biggest concerns are: 

• Too much sugar: Rabbits’ digestive systems work best with plenty of fiber and relatively low sugar. Oranges contain a lot of natural sugar, and too much can upset normal digestion, potentially leading to soft stool, diarrhea, gas, bloating, or appetite changes. 
• Acidity: Citrus fruits like oranges are naturally acidic. A small piece may be fine, but too much can irritate your rabbit’s mouth or stomach, especially if they’re sensitive to acidic foods. 
• Less room for hay: A rabbit who fills up on fruit may eat less of the fiber-rich hay they need. Not getting enough fiber can slow the gut and increase the risk of GI stasis. 
• Orange peel: The peel is tough and can have pesticide or other chemical residue on the surface. Since your rabbit only needs a tiny serving of orange anyway, it’s simplest to remove it. 

If your rabbit has chronic digestive issues, a history of GI stasis, or another condition that affects their diet, check with your veterinarian before giving them any orange. 

For most adult rabbits, about one-quarter of a segment ​​once or twice a month is plenty. 

If you’re giving your rabbit orange for the first time, start with an even smaller bite and watch for any signs of digestive upset. If everything looks normal, you can give them the full serving next time. 

Sharing orange with your rabbit takes a little more prep than simply pulling off a segment. Here’s what to do: 

• Choose a fresh orange. Skip fruit that looks moldy, dried out, or spoiled. 
• Peel the orange completely and remove any seeds before giving any to your rabbit. 
• Remove any particularly tough or stringy pieces of membrane that may be harder to chew. 
• Cut off a small piece. 
• Serve it plain. 

If your rabbit got a little too enthusiastic about the orange, hold off on fruit for the rest of the day and keep an eye on how they’re eating, acting, and pooping. 

Call your veterinarian if you notice: 

• Diarrhea or very soft stool 
• Bloating 
• Low appetite 
• Fewer or no droppings 
• Low energy 
• Teeth grinding 
• Signs of pain or discomfort 

If your rabbit stops eating or producing droppings, call your veterinarian right away. These can be signs of GI stasis, which can be a medical emergency. 

If your rabbit ate an orange-flavored food that contained potentially harmful ingredients, such as chocolate, contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) for guidance. 

Orange isn’t the only fruit you can share when you want to give your rabbit an occasional sweet treat.  

Other rabbit-safe options include: 

• Apples 
• Bananas 
• Blackberries 
• Blueberries 
• Cantaloupe 
• Pears 
• Raspberries 
• Strawberries 
• Watermelon 

​​​Just remember: No matter which fruit you pick, a little is enough. 

Wait until your rabbit is at least 12 weeks old before introducing fresh foods like orange. Young rabbits are particularly susceptible to digestive problems, so new foods can be harder for them to handle. When your bunny is ready, start with a very small piece and introduce only one new food at a time so you can watch for any digestive changes. 

No, skip the orange peels and stick with the orange flesh. The peel is tougher to chew and can have pesticide or other chemical residue on the surface. Plus, there’s no real benefit to including it. 

No, rabbits shouldn’t drink orange juice. Juice delivers the fruit’s sugar without the fiber found in whole orange, making it easy to get far more sugar in a few sips than your rabbit needs. Water should be the beverage of choice. 

Yes, fresh mandarins are OK in the same small amounts as regular oranges. Remove the peel and any seeds, and stick with fresh fruit rather than canned mandarins, which may be packed in sugary syrup or juice.