Are Frozen Treats Dangerous?

[Barrett]

Hi again. Recently, I’ve been sneaking a couple of crackers per evening to Patton and it didn’t take him long to get used to the sound of crackling plastic if you know what I mean.

 

So last night I was sitting on the sofa next to the fireplace he loves so much. I opened up a popsicle and that got his attention. In all my years, I’ve never imagined giving a rabbit a popsicle but he was begging. I put it in front of him, fully expecting him to snort and retreat from this shockingly frozen confection. At least he would know that not everything Daddy eats is a treat and maybe stop bugging me.

And then this happened…

I figure I ended up losing a third of my cherry pineapple goodness to him before I called it off. He just kept biting off these little bits. Tonight it was the same story. I wouldn’t let him have more than a third of the popsicle because in the back of my mind, I’m wondering is this safe? I mean bunnies can’t be used to eating frozen things. I don’t want to find out that popsicles are like chocolate to dogs or something dreadful like that.

 

It’s been more than 24 hours since the above picture and no changes in his behavior or outward health. What do you think?

[jerseygirl]

Haha! Well now he is just going to expect it! The main thing I would be concerned about is the sugar. That might upset the gut balance a bit, so go easy on the popsicles. Lol. You could freeze a wedge of fruit (watermelon, pineapple etc) and let him have a munch on some of that now and then. But again, not too much with fruit.

[Barrett]

Or perhaps

(wait for it)

 

(wait for it)

 

sugar FREE popsicles? (Yes, that’s a serious question)

[LongEaredLions]

The artificial sweeteners in sugar free popsicles, such as xylitol, can be very dangerous for bunnies. So definitely no sugar-free pops either.
I would try freezing some fruit like JG said. Mine are absolutely smitten with frozen cucumber, watermelon, and mango.

[Q8bunny]

Dilute fresh fruit juice and freeze your own popsicles or cubes.

[Odette]

Be careful with the crackers too, Barrett. Bunnies don’t do great with simple carbs. Well, some do. My bridge bunny had an iron gut. I thought she was a Holland, but I’ve been at this forum long enough to know that wasn’t possible at her size. She was an 11 lb orange lop, so I bet she was at least part French lop.

[Vienna Blue in France]

OMG – I thought cucumbers were off the chart for buns ?! Skin too? (I don’t like the skin – to gassy, I cut it off now !! lol)

Have just tried a tiny bit with Tig (Sam/Murphy/Stan) and he ripped it out of my hand !! LOL Zou was more wary and dainty but it went just as fast !

[Barrett]

Posted By Q8bunny on 10/03/2016 1:35 PM

Dilute fresh fruit juice and freeze your own popsicles or cubes.

Not a bad idea!! I actually have popsicle making stuff on hand. What do you figure, 50/50 fruit juice to water? I better lay off for a few days first though. If Patton detects a watering down of the flavor, I could have an angry bunny on my hands LOL

 

I know I’m supposed to go easy on fruit but I just imagined what a confection it would be to put popsicle sticks though strawberries before freezing them! Don’t worry, I’ll stop before I put chocolate on them

[Q8bunny]

If it’s fresh no-sugar-added juice, 50/50 sounds fine.
Frozen srawberry or grape is great too (Chewie gets ONE as a treat once a week or so).
If Barrett likes crackers, I’d try a nibble of Grape Nuts cereal or Wheetabix – something high in complex fiber. Regular flour is like pouring cement in bunny guts (sadly – ask me how CRAZY the Chewster goes when he smells bread lol)

[vanessa]

I second Q8bunny. Make your own fresh squeezed/pureed fruit treats. Better for the little beggar’s health.

[jerseygirl]

Posted By Odette on 10/03/2016 2:54 PM
Be careful with the crackers too, Barrett. Bunnies don’t do great with simple carbs. Well, some do. My bridge bunny had an iron gut. I thought she was a Holland, but I’ve been at this forum long enough to know that wasn’t possible at her size. She was an 11 lb orange lop, so I bet she was at least part French lop.

Too funny if breed was down as holland lop on the vet files, then out hopped this big bunneh.

[Q8bunny]

ROAR!

[Odette]

Posted By jerseygirl on 10/04/2016 8:13 AM

Posted By Odette on 10/03/2016 2:54 PM
Be careful with the crackers too, Barrett. Bunnies don’t do great with simple carbs. Well, some do. My bridge bunny had an iron gut. I thought she was a Holland, but I’ve been at this forum long enough to know that wasn’t possible at her size. She was an 11 lb orange lop, so I bet she was at least part French lop.

Too funny if breed was down as holland lop on the vet files, then out hopped this big bunneh.

Hahaha! I don’t think I put a breed down. Good thing too!

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Hehe, same here with our bun. Cold things don’t bother him, he dislikes warm things. He loves fruit popsicles as well on hot days. Just a little nibble though and then we’re done. While made of at least 50% fruit, it’s still a very sugary treat.
A couple of weeks ago my BF was having a banana daiquiri (frozen bananas, white rum, lime juice and some cane sugar). Suddenly Breintje smelled banana and decided that he absolutely needed to have some as well. Nothing would deter him, so Bas gave him 1 little lick off his finger. He liked it a bit too much and tried to lap it up directly from the glass. Sadly we had to disappoint our little fluff: no drinking under 18 mister..

[Q8bunny]

Oh, Breintje. You lush.

[Author]

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