Can rabbits eat dried papaya?

[rachel.love474]

I bought dried papaya from the pet store for my rabbits today. the ingredients are dehydrated papaya and sulfur dioxide. I’m wondering if “sulfur dioxide” is safe for rabbits? The brand of the treat is Sunseed. Someone please let me know

 

[LopsAreGreat]

I bought dried papaya from the pet store for my rabbits today. the ingredients are dehydrated papaya and sulfur dioxide. I’m wondering if “sulfur dioxide” is safe for rabbits? The brand of the treat is Sunseed. Someone please let me know

Yes, sulfur dioxide is okay for rabbits, I believe it’s just for preserving the color of it. I would just give maybe a few treats a day maximum, and watch their poop, just to be sure they don’t have any reactions!

 

[Diane R]

It won't kill them but it isn't good for them. Far too much sugar. Stay away from fruit, especially dried fruit.

 

[Orrin]

Our regional cage supplier handles papaya in bulk. I get it from them in 15-pound batches and use it as the main treat for our rabbits. Granted, it is high in sugar; but, the enzymes in it are good for a rabbit's digestive system.

The overweight rabbits only get tiny little pieces; the rest of them get it only occasionally. It is wonderful for building trust between our buns and us. Without it they'd likely ignore us and spend all their time with their bonded mate.

 

[chasemeats]

I feed my rabbits papaya occasionally to get rid of hair in their digestive system.

 

[majorv]

We gave our rabbits papaya tablets during moulting season to help push through hair they digest while grooming. Never had a problem with it.

 

[JBun]

I feed my rabbits papaya occasionally to get rid of hair in their digestive system.

Papaya can't get rid of or break down hair or fur. Think what it takes to break down hair clogging a drain. Very corrosive and hazardous chemicals. At the most papaya can help break down mucous binding things together in the digestive tract.

https://rabbit.org/gastrointestinal-stasis-the-silent-killer-2/
Feeding papaya is going to be like any treat fed to rabbits. It needs to be properly introduced, slowly in small amounts, and fed in very limited amounts. Only to rabbits older than 12 weeks old with no sugar/carb sensitivities, and only if it doesn't cause mushy poop or digestive upset.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/treats.html
Though personally I prefer to stick with leafy greens(washed, never spoiled) and forage as healthy treats, and lots of good quality medium coarse grass hay for the fiber and roughage they need for good digestive function and to help prevent GI stasis issues.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/greens--veggies.html
https://rabbit.org/disorders-of-the-cecum/