Can Rabbits Eat Bananas? The Ultimate Guide to this Nutritious Snack!

Dr. Kathryn Rosalie Dench

Written by: Dr. Kathryn Rosalie Dench

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Despite rabbits ranking among the top 10 popular pets in households across the globe, getting their diet right can be a challenge. While fruits in general can be included in a bunny diet as the occasional treat, the question of whether rabbits can eat banana – and if so how much and how often – is a common one vets hear from rabbit owners.

In this article, I’ll talk you through the science-based information about how bunnies are affected by bananas, and how to safely feed bananas to your rabbits. We will cover:

  • Whether bananas are safe for rabbits
  • How much banana you can give to your bunny
  • When banana consumption is dangerous for rabbits
  • Whether rabbits can consume banana peels and leaves

So, if you’re looking for a clear guide on how to feed bananas to your rabbit, you’re in the right place. Let’s go!

Can Rabbits Eat Bananas?

Bananas are safe for rabbits, and make an excellent sweet treat as part of a balanced diet. However, bananas have high sugar and starch content and should only be given in small quantities as part of their fruit portion, two to three times a week. 

Baby rabbits should not be fed bananas or other fruits due to their sensitive digestive tracts, and overweight rabbits or those prone to diarrhea should cut out fruits and prioritize eating hay.

Can Rabbits Eat Bananas

On the flip side, rabbits definitely don’t need banana in their diets. They have evolved to survive on grass in temperate climates, and bananas would not have been one of the fruits and vegetables their ancestors encountered.

So if you’re feeding your rabbit a balanced diet that doesn’t contain bananas, that’s fine too.

How Much Banana is Safe for Rabbits?

Rabbits love bananas, but you need to control how often you feed bananas to your pets, and how much you give. Unfortunately, pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs often choose treats that aren’t good for them, which means we have to take control of our pet’s diet.

Banana is Safe for Rabbits

Maintaining a nutritional balance is essential to prevent side effects such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

The recommended maximum to feed your furry friend is two tablespoons of banana per 5 pounds of their body weight, 2-3 times a week.

This amount roughly translates to the size of a human thumb. This is their entire fruit allowance, so if you’re including other fruits in the diet, you’ll need to cut down on the banana portion.

Banana portion

Rabbits have a specialized digestive system that is adapted to high-fiber foods, and changing their diet can upset their sensitive stomachs.

If you introduce new banana treats for your rabbit, start with small amounts, as there is no assurance of how their stomachs might react. It is advisable to wait a couple of days to observe any changes caused by the new treats.

When Is Banana Dangerous to Rabbits

Bananas are by far the most popular fruit found in American households, and there is a chance that most household pets have had a bite of this tasty snack.

When Is Banana Dangerous to Rabbits

However, bananas present multiple risk factors for bunnies.

Here are some potential reasons why you should take caution in giving your rabbits bananas.

Bananas aren’t the top food for rabbits

A rabbit’s diet should be composed of at least 80% grass and hay. Only 10% should be allotted for leafy greens, vegetables, and a limited amount of fruits.

Bananas aren't the top food for rabbits

Giving too much banana as a treat can make your rabbit feel full, and it may not eat enough hay as a result.

Bananas can raise sugar levels

Bananas contain sugar and starch, which aren’t good for rabbits in large quantities. Immediate problems include an upset stomach, diarrhea, and gas, as the rabbit’s digestive tract tries to handle this sugar-rich food.

Overfeeding bananas can also be dangerous in the long-term, as the high sugar and starch content leads to additional problems such as obesity.

Obesity and rapid weight gain make rabbits prone to several severe medical conditions, such as fly strike, gut stasis, and foot sores. If not spotted and treated early, these conditions can be fatal.

Overripe bananas pose extra risks

Bananas are extremely dangerous to rabbits when they are overripe. As bananas ripen, their sugar content increases, which counteracts any positive impact it might have on the rabbit’s health.

Overripe bananas also have a high sodium, fat, and starch content – far more than your rabbit needs.

Overripe bananas pose extra risks

While unripe bananas are composed of 80-90% resistant starch, the ripening process leads to the conversion of this starch into free sugars.

Aside from obesity, too much sugar impacts the beneficial gut bacteria in the rabbit’s specialized digestive system, leading to stomach pain and other key gut issues.

Overripe bananas are also more prone to developing mold due to their high sugar content, which is not good for your rabbit to eat.

Can young rabbits eat bananas?

Do not feed your baby rabbit bananas while they are younger than 12 weeks. At this stage, young rabbits have a sensitive digestive system, and you should not be feeding bananas or other fruits to them.

Can young rabbits eat bananas

You can start to introduce a tablespoon of fruits once or twice a week when they are 12 weeks old.

Can Rabbits Eat Banana Peels?

Yellow banana peels are safe for rabbits if prepared correctly, and rabbits usually like their sweet taste. The peels also contain potassium, which is a key mineral for healthy rabbits.

Can Rabbits Eat Banana Peels

While we might not think of peels as being one of the most nutritious foods we can offer our pets, rabbits think differently!

However, as with all fresh food, there are some precautions to take when feeding banana skins to your rabbit.

Avoid old skins

Avoid feeding a browning banana peel to your rabbit, since it lacks beneficial starch. Unripe banana peels, on the other hand, have lower sugar levels and are healthier for your rabbit.

Keep pesticides at bay

The peel of your banana also needs to be well washed, as most contain pesticides that can be deadly for your bunnies.

If possible, choose organic bananas for your rabbits, as the peels won’t have the same levels of pesticides on it.

Enjoy in moderation

Banana peels should be treated as sweet treats provided on occasions. Although bunnies eat bananas and their peels, they should not be treated as a food staple in your rabbit’s diet.

You should also be careful not to give too much banana peel, as it can upset your rabbit’s stomach or mean they don’t eat as much hay.

Rather than feeding an entire banana, aim for a 2-inch section, complete with the peel, as one of their fruit portions for the week.

Can Rabbits Eat Banana Leaves?

Banana leaves are entirely safe for rabbits, as they have a high fiber content and far less sugar than the peels and fruit.

In fact, studies have found that banana leaves can replace 40% of a rabbit’s hay without any adverse impact on their health.

As with peels, it’s important to wash banana leaves before feeding them to your rabbit. Banana leaves can be covered in residues of pesticides, unless you have sourced them organically.

What Alternatives Can You Feed to Rabbits?

If you’ve decided not to include bananas in your rabbit’s diet, there are plenty of other healthy alternatives available.

A good quality grass hay should make up the majority of your rabbit’s diet, with green vegetables making up around 10% of the diet.

What Alternatives Can You Feed to Rabbits

Fruits, such as bananas, should be fed in small quantities just 2-3 times a week. You can read our full guide to a rabbit’s diet to get the full picture about what rabbits can eat.

Instead of bananas, you can feed your bunnies other fruits such as apples, oranges, cherries, melon, and papaya.

However, you should remove all seeds to prevent possible choking. You can also feed salad treats like cucumber, romaine lettuce, and zucchini in small quantities.

feed your bunnies other fruits

Always introduce new foods carefully, by offering small quantities and monitoring your rabbit’s response for a few days. If they seem in good health and there are no signs of diarrhea, then you should be fine to include the food in their diet in the appropriate quantities.

Conclusion

Rabbits can be fed bananas as part of a healthy diet. Bananas are safe for bunnies, but there are special precautions to take because of the sensitivity of rabbits’ digestive tracts.

When feeding banana leaves or bananas to your rabbit, make sure to wash them thoroughly and provide an appropriately-sized portion. A fruit portion should be around 1-2 tablespoons per five pounds of body weight, and can be given 2-3 times a week. The leaves, on the other hand, can make up a larger proportion of the diet and be fed alongside hay.

By feeding bananas in a way that works with your rabbit’s digestive system, you can help your pet rabbit enjoy the health benefits of this delicious snack, without suffering any side effects.

If you found this article informative, feel free to share it with your friends, or comment below with any questions or suggestions.

Dr. Kathryn Rosalie Dench

AUTHOR

Dr. Kathryn Rosalie Dench is a veterinary surgeon qualified from Cambridge University. Kate takes a science-based approach to her recommendations for rabbit care. She draws on over ten years of experience in veterinary clinics to offer practical tips, tricks, and warnings for rabbit owners the world over, to help pet rabbits live happy and healthy lives.

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