Re: Safe vegetables

Rosie Rabbit · by Rosie Rabbit on Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:51 pm

ElleyMay wrote:I had no idea rabbits can eat oranges ?!?!?!

Yeah, I wondered about that one. I thought citrus fruits were a no-no. Hmmm

**Jay** · by **Jay** on Tue Feb 09, 2010 2:06 pm

If you look around though, there's a lot of info to say it's ok and less say not so, but i wouldn't know for sure. As with all sweet things, just in small doses, and it seems to be the sugar that is the concern, and the peel & pips should be removed.

ETA: Our stomach Ph is 2-3 and oranges are an alkalizing fruit in small doses, for humans. Bunnies stomach ph is 1-2, so I don't see why they would be a problem for buns either? Does anyone know why Oranges are thought to be a no-no?

**Sooz** · by **Sooz** on Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:59 pm

Oranges have been used in cottontail rehabilitation for weanlings going through a change from milk to solids, they have been used to help with the PH adjustment and minimise the risk of stomach upsets.

**Jay** · by **Jay** on Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:04 pm

That's interesting Sooz, AFAIK, weanlings Ph is 4-5, so oranges must have quite an alkalizing effect, to bring i down to 1-2, and not an acidic one - which I would imagine would be a contending reason not give buns oranges.

Rosie Rabbit · by Rosie Rabbit on Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:22 pm

Jay wrote:Does anyone know why Oranges are thought to be a no-no?

I have no basis for that one; it's just one of those things I thought I read somewhere once. Not very scientific, sorry! Embarassed

**NickieM** · by **NickieM** on Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:19 pm

I wouldn't have thought they could eat them either. Just shows you.

I noticed in the advert for Innocent Smoothies they have a bunny sitting next to an orange and I thought it was so wrong, but obviously they must have checked first. It's a cute little bun too.

Rhianna · by Rhianna on Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:45 pm

What an amazing link. I had no idea bunnies could eat such a variety of foods. I don't give mine 3-6 different veg a day - and now feel a Bad Bunny Mummy.

Time to start introducing my buns to some new and exciting food - gradually - so I don't upset their little tums.

**Jay** · by **Jay** on Wed Feb 10, 2010 8:58 am

Rosie Rabbit wrote:
Jay wrote:Does anyone know why Oranges are thought to be a no-no?

I have no basis for that one; it's just one of those things I thought I read somewhere once. Not very scientific, sorry!

TBH, I thought exactly the same thing Helen. I'm starting to realise that there is a lot of wrong information given out on the web, with little or no science to back it up, so these days I check everything if I can, and then discover things like this Smile