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| Safe? | Yes, as a treat |
| How much | A cube about 2 cm (3/4 in) across for a 2 kg (4.4 lb) rabbit |
| How often | Once or twice a week at most |
| Best served | Fresh, seedless red flesh |
| Watch out for | Seeds, soft droppings, overweight rabbits |
Is watermelon safe for rabbits?
Yes, in small amounts. The Rabbit Welfare Association puts seedless watermelon in its fruit list, headed "occasional treats only". The House Rabbit Society lists melons of any type as a fruit, and PDSA lists melon among safe treats. Like all fruit, watermelon is high in sugar for its size compared with what rabbits eat in the wild. Woodgreen warns that many fruits are among the most common causes of loose droppings in rabbits, and that rabbits in general should not be fed much fruit.
How much watermelon can a rabbit have?
The House Rabbit Society caps all fruit at about 1 teaspoon per 900 g (2 lb) of body weight a day. For a 2 kg (4.4 lb) rabbit, that is about 2 teaspoons, which matches a cube of watermelon about 2 cm (3/4 in) across. That is the most, not the target. Because watermelon is so watery, we would give it once or twice a week and leave other fruit off those days.
How to serve watermelon
- Cut from a fresh melon. Use a ripe, fresh melon, not one that has sat cut open in the fridge for days.
- Take out the seeds. Pick out every black seed, or use a seedless melon.
- Cut a small cube. About 2 cm (3/4 in), red flesh only. Half that the first time.
- Check droppings. Over the next day, droppings should stay round and dry. If they go soft or sticky, stop.
Which parts and forms are safe?
| Part or form | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Red flesh | Yes, a small cube |
| Black seeds | No |
| Pale inner rind | Not covered by our sources; a thin sliver at most |
| Green outer skin | No, tough and often sprayed |
| Juice, sorbet, dried melon, sweets | No, concentrated or added sugar |
Who should skip watermelon?
PDSA says treats should be avoided in overweight rabbits. Skip it for rabbits with soft droppings, and for young rabbits still settling onto hay and greens.
What to offer instead
Cucumber is just as watery with far less sugar. A slice of strawberry or a grape half are other treats. Our safe food list for rabbits, rabbit diet guide and rabbit care guide cover the rest.
Watermelon and rabbits: questions
Can rabbits eat watermelon rind?
None of the charity sources we read cover the rind. The pale inner rind is less sugary than the flesh, but the green outer skin is tough and often dirty or sprayed. We would stick to the red flesh, or at most a thin sliver of pale rind with the green skin cut off.
Can rabbits eat watermelon seeds?
No. The Rabbit Welfare Association lists seedless watermelon, and the House Rabbit Society advises against foods with seeds. Pick out the black seeds, or buy a seedless melon. The soft white seeds in seedless melons are fine in a small piece.
Can rabbits eat other melons?
Yes. The House Rabbit Society lists melons of any type as a fruit treat, and PDSA lists melon among safe treats. Cantaloupe, honeydew and galia follow the same rules: a small cube of flesh, no seeds, once or twice a week.
Is watermelon good for keeping a rabbit cool?
Only a little. A chilled cube is a nice summer extra, but shade, airflow and plenty of fresh water do the real work. A rabbit that is panting, floppy or drooling in hot weather needs cooling gently and a vet rung straight away.
