So while we were picking up Gizmo from her spay today the vet tech had mentioned something about the raisins we had been giving as a treat (not many at all, once a day every few days). 

The vet had recomended that we not give any raisins ever, as they are very high in sugars and could cause many digestion problems. 

 

Gizmo has a VERY sensitive digestive system and doesn't even react well to alfalpha hay or cilantro, yet has never had an issue with raisins. 

 

I know lots of buns that get them as treats, but if my vet suggests not to i guess i have to trust her. 

 

What are your feelings/thought on feeding your rabbit raisins (in small quanities as treats) and does this mean all fruit shouldn't be used as a treat food? or just dried fruits. 

 

They suggested Papaya Tablets (those powdery chewable subliments) as a treat but even though i don't even like raisins.. i think i'd rather the raisin..

 

 

Well, most vets aren't going to want to really recommend fruits and dried fruits because they are high in sugar. However, that being said, I love giving my rabbits treats and as long as they enjoy them and they are doing fine, I continue to give treats.

I give my rabbits craisins as treats and also acidophilious tablets.

Ideally, I know that there are perhaps some things that may be better as treats like timothy pellets or various hays but well, I know my rabbits love the above mentioned things.

I also give them the Barley Treats from Oxbow and dried herbs and flower petals that are made especially for rabbits - they do love those too.

I have to think that in the end, it's probably truly the human attention that they crave more than the treats, but I'm too old to change :~)

One of the Rabbit Advocates I volunteer with says no fruit, raisins, ANYTHING, but most of the others say occasionally is fine. AS long as you don't over do it, theres really no problem.

You could halve the raisin and give half where you normally give whole. Gizmo mightn't notice. She'll still get her treat but just less sugar.
It could be that certain things give her gas but raisin aren't one of those? The tech is right to caution owners as sugar can play havoc on the system. You wonder though, how som rabbit are on really bad diets yet don't seem to have any trouble...(though weight gain and other issues probably cause trouble down the track).

This article talks a little about sugar (fructose) in the diet. www.leithpetwerks.com/Bunfun/nonpellet.html

If you're not inclined to read it, I'll summarise. It basically mentions that when fructose in introduced into the diet in small amount, the gut can process it by producing bacteria to digest it. Part of reason for all diet changes to be gradual. It's when the system gets a blast of sugar that can really cause problems.  In Gizmo's case, maybe she handles them ok as you introduced a small amount. So if you were suddenly to feed her double the amount she normally has, this is when you'd see problems....(???)

Bun would die without her craisins! I just make sure I don't give them tons and that the amount I do feed agrees with their tummies. I am still trying to learn the perfect amount of treats to give Bee, basically 1 raisin a day or 1 papaya is all her tum can handle for now. Even though she is begging for more and flinging herself at the cage, I just can't give her more than that.

I love that picture of your bun with the little brown tail facing the camera lying on the bed, Lintini, it always makes me smile. I have given dried cranberries which are essentially craisins and the little bugger scarfed them down. I just don't know how many to give, I know they're sweet to me. I also give a smidge of banana, usually the top and I eat the rest. And a little chunk of Gala apple. My, how Buddie loves those. So far, knock on wood, no problem to his digestive system it seems. I take it easy and just give a little, I know he would wolf down a lot more!

To bounce off what Jersey said about a rabbit's gut being able to produce bacteria to digest fructose when it is introduced gradually, I have also read that if you decide to stop giving so many treats you should also gradually/wean down because the bacteria that was created to digest the fructose will die off, and when they do this, they create a gas, so if a bunny is used to getting a bunch of treats and then all of sudden it is stopped, the bacteria will die off in larger numbers and it can put a bunny at risk for getting painful gas that can cause serious digestive upsets.

I cannot find the source that I originally got that info from so I can't source what i just said, and am hoping I am repeating it correctly from memory. If I find the source I will post it.

Also, some rabbits can be very sensitive while others seem to have stomachs of steel. Bailey could not handle any sugary treats, while Jack and Viv do fine with a limited amount. A couple of Craisins or a little quarter sized slice of banana they do fine with.

You'll hear differing opinions. I've given raisins in the past (2-3 a day per bun) and Max does well with them, Meadow seems to have adverse reactions... so now no one gets raisins. We've been having some discussions about carrots recently and the consensus is that they may not have to be as limited as previously thought, so my buns are getting a baby carrot daily now and they are OVER THE MOON about it! You know your rabbit and what she can tolerate. Be aware they can cause issues, but in a limited amount should be fine.

I have to say tho... YAY FOR YOUR VET!!! I would rather my vet be more cautious when it comes to diet issues, than some of these "savvy" vets who basically say to feed whatever.

No i love my vet she is a bunny person, she loves rabbits and is very knowledgeable about them, I will still probably give raisins but i will ween her down from daily, poor girl just not spayed yesterday so taking away her favorite treat right now would just be mean.

That's interesting about the carrots though! Gizmo loves some carrot now and then too, perhaps the could be a better treat, little slices of baby carrot.

I think a really good vet varies their advice based on the individual bunny. I'm thinking that your vet, having treated Gizmo, is making a recommendation based on his needs, rather than giving general bunny advice. As BB said, some bunnies cannot tolerate certain foods and others are just fine with it.
I would take your vet's advice, though if you want to gradually taper off as BB described, that would probably be a good way to do it. But honestly, I am going with the vet on this and suggesting cutting out all raisins.

Don't worry. There are many treats a bunny will love. Has Gizmo ever tasted mint?

She loves mint, and basil so we do use those as treats as well.

We are slowly cutting down her raisins, she honestly only got maybe one a day, and not everyday so it won't be too hard to cut it out.

The vet said that it didn't seem to be bothering her but could not guarantee any long term effects on her stomach or metabolism so we will be getting her off them. I just felt bad because the bunny loves them.

It'd be like me giving up chocolate! poor thing, first she gets violated by the vet and now no raisins! no wonder she's not happy.

Posted By Beka27 on 02/27/2010 06:46 AM
. We've been having some discussions about carrots recently and the consensus is that they may not have to be as limited as previously thought, so my buns are getting a baby carrot daily now and they are OVER THE MOON about it!

 

I was also excited to be able to give more carrot - When I started introducing more carrot amount in their diet, Jack and Viv were so happy, but now they seem to treat it like any other veggie - like...oh, grrreat...carrots...AHgain. 

What's with that?!  Spoiled rotten I say! 

I do need to update the info on this site to reflect the newer information we have received about allowing more carrot into the diet (instead of handling it with kid gloves like raisin treats).

Hahahah BB-bored of carrots already

I think my vet would likely say the same thing about raisins-because it's health advice-not suck up to your rabbit with treats advice I give 2-3 a day per rabbit or about tb of fruit. But none of my guys, save Chuck, are really sensitive and they all tolerate it well. I guess key as everyone has said don't add or wean off treats quickly and keep them in small amounts

How do you know if a bunny can't tolerate a food? Mine get maybe 1/3 of a carrot a day, or maybe 1/2 an apple core, or some peels. But if they start having trouble, I want to know what to look for. Runny pellets?
Thanks,
Jay

Most bunnies show an intolerance of certain food with mushy poos.  You should avoid giving apple cores to your bunny as the seeds are not good for them.  Apple itself and apple peels are fine- but only in a very small amount.  My rabbits get a baby carrot portioning wise for carrots.

Does your bunny get any other vegetable or greens?  Those are really more key to a healthy diet than fruit or carrots.  Carrot tops, romaine lettuce, kale, collard greens, and other greens should make up the bulk of the fresh foods that your bunny gets daily.

http://www.binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO...fault.aspx

Jay, careful with the apple core. Apple seeds contain cyanide, you definitely don't want your bunbun eating those. Stick to fleshy chunks or the peel.

OK, I'll cut out the cores, up their greens, and keep an eye out for mushy feces. So far, they look perfect. The bunnies also get lots of hay. Thanks!