Papaya is a treat that should be eaten by your rabbit in moderation. Most rabbits love this sweet fruit, which has a high level of Vitamin C, moderate level of Vitamin A, and smaller amounts of Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Copper, Niacin, Choline, Pantothenic Acid, Protein, Fiber, Magnesium, and Potassium.
In this guide, we will step you through how much papaya your rabbit can safely eat, how often your bunny should eat papaya, as well as the top choices for store-bought papaya treats for rabbits.
Let’s get started:
Is Papaya Safe For Rabbits?
Papaya is safe for rabbits who are at least 7 months old. Papaya should be fed in small amounts, 1-2 times per week as a treat. Do not feed papaya to young rabbits under 7 months of age.
Papaya is packed with antioxidants and beneficial enzymes, but rabbits should not eat it in huge amounts. Rabbits have evolved to eat large quantities of fibrous foods like hay, grass, and leafy greens, which, as you probably know, should be the basis of their diet. Because of this, they have very low energy requirements, and they are not good at digesting sugars even if that sugar is fructose from fresh fruits.
How Much Papaya Should a Rabbit Eat?
How much papaya you feed your rabbit will depend on their size and weight. An adult rabbit should be fed no more than 2 tablespoons of papaya a maximum of twice per week.
Start with a small amount of papaya as a treat or training tool for your rabbit. Your bunny will most likely love this treat and want more. Don’t be tempted to feed your rabbit more than 2 tablespoons of papaya. It could cause them digestive upset.
Fresh Papaya vs Store Bought Papaya Treats for Rabbits
Fresh papaya is always best; however, if papaya is not in season, you can feed your rabbit dried papaya. Look for dried papaya that contains no added sugar, colors or preservatives. That isn’t the easiest thing to find, but here are some choices:
- Human grade papaya
- No added sulfur dioxide
- Low sugar
- Very popular among rabbit owners
- Affordable
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
- Digestive Support for your rabbit or small animal
- Timothy hay based
- Includes papaya and pineapple
- Made in USA
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
- Papaya, but with added colors - not our first choice
- Inexpensive, also small quantity
- No added sugar or sulfur
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Can Rabbits Eat Papaya Leaves?
Papaya leaves can be eaten by bunnies from 12 weeks of age. As with introducing any new food to your rabbit, give them a tiny quantity at first and introduce it slowly. The slow introduction will help to avoid any digestive upset.
Can Rabbits Eat Papaya Seeds?
Papaya seeds should not be fed to your rabbit. Papaya seeds have the potential to cause illness and intestinal blockages in your rabbit.
Can Rabbits Eat Papaya Skin?
Papaya skin is toxic to rabbits. It contains an alkaloid poison that kills them if their stomach acid isn’t strong enough to neutralize its effects. If feeding your rabbit fresh papaya, make sure you completely cut off all the skin.
If you notice any signs of increased lethargy, decreased food intake, illness or distress in your rabbit and you are concerned they may have eaten papaya skin, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Can Rabbits Eat Papaya Daily?
Rabbits should not eat papaya daily. This high sugar fruit is unsuitable for your bunny’s digestive system when fed in large amounts or regularly. It could cause constipation and GI stasis in your rabbit if provided too often, as well as weight gain and dental issues.
Too much papaya can cause an obese rabbit with digestive health problems. In the wild, papaya fruit is not a food a rabbit would consider eating. Papaya for rabbits is comparable to candy for humans.
How Long Do Fresh Papayas Last?
The whole papaya can last up to 6 days on your kitchen counter and 9 days in the fridge. On the other hand, cut papaya can last only 4 hours in your kitchen and 3 days maximum in the fridge.
Storing papayas in the freezer is not recommended. If you freeze your papaya, it will ultimately lose its nutritional value. So, if you don’t think you will eat all the fresh papaya, try buying the dried papaya for your rabbit. It will have a much longer shelf life.
What Fruit is Safe for Rabbits?
All fruits should be fed on a limited basis due to their high sugar content. Here is a list of safe fruits for rabbits that should help.
What Should I Know About Papaya Treats for Rabbits?
Rabbits absolutely love eating papaya. They will gobble down papaya treats without hesitation. Please keep in mind that papaya is high in calories and should be limited to once or twice a week.
If you’re looking for something healthier, try feeding your rabbit a piece of fresh apple or some berries instead. Apples contain lots of Vitamin C and fiber, making them one of the best healthy snacks for rabbits. Berries are low in sugar and high in Vitamin C also.
Papaya is a very nutritious food for humans. It contains vitamins A, B complex, C, E, K, folate, pantothenic acid, biotin, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc, manganese, niacin, selenium, thiamine, riboflavin, and phytochemicals. The primary nutrients found in papaya are Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Folate, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, and Beta Carotene.
While papaya is good for your health, it isn’t good for your bunny in large quantities. So while you may enjoy papaya during the Summer, don’t feed it to your bunny too often. Keep the basis of your rabbit’s diet hay to keep them in the best health.