Today, rabbits are bred not only because of their beautiful fur, but also because of delicious dietary and extremely healthy meat. However, in order to get all this, you must properly feed the animal. Therefore, many are interested in the question: is it possible for rabbits to have watermelon peels, since it is believed that this food product has the best effect on the meat of these funny animals. Let's consider this question in more detail.
What are the benefits of watermelon peels?
The watermelon peel contains a huge amount of vitamins and minerals. Many people mistakenly believe that only in the pulp is there a certain percentage of bioactive substances. However, it is not. If we talk about whether it is possible to give rabbits watermelon peels and flesh, then we can feed both ordinary and decorative individuals both. Be sure to find out some of the features of feeding.
Crusts have a much lower moisture and sugar content. But they have more amino acids and fiber. It is very useful for rabbits. Based on this, we can conclude that the peel of a watermelon is even more beneficial for an animal than pulp.
In addition, watermelon crusts contain dietary fiber, vitamins, as well as a large amount of organic acids and trace elements. Thanks to potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, calcium and iron, the furry animal receives all the necessary nutrients that positively affect his health. Accordingly, considering the question of whether it is possible to feed rabbits watermelon peels, the answer will be yes.
Nitrates
As you know, for the fastest growing watermelons, they are most often treated with nitrates. Sometimes their content in the fruits is so great that it is dangerous to give such a berry not only to animals, but even to humans. Nitrates themselves are nitric acid salts. They stimulate the growth of plants are much cheaper than natural fertilizers.
From this point of view, everything that concerns the question of whether it is possible to give rabbits watermelon peels takes on a negative direction. If animals constantly eat foods that are high in chemicals, they can have serious bowel problems. The fact is that in the body, nitrates turn into nitrites, which have a detrimental effect on the formation of hemoglobin in the blood.
How to control the amount of nitrates?
In order not to wonder whether it is possible to give rabbits watermelon peels, it is once again better to check the nutritional quality of the animal. For this, it is recommended to purchase a special device that will determine the volume of chemicals contained in the bark of the berry. However, this equipment has a very high price. You can replace it with special test strips. They are often used in everyday life when checking various garden crops.
There are also visual methods to help determine how many nitrates are in the berry.
If the fruits were actively fertilized with chemicals, then thin white or yellow veins can easily be seen in the pulp. At the same time, the watermelon will taste very unsweetened and not aromatic. It is also possible to clarify the amount of nitrates that were used when growing the fetus by soaking. To do this, cut a small piece of watermelon pulp and lower it into a glass of water for 10-15 minutes. If after this time the water turns purple, then this indicates that nitrates were used in the culture. A bright red liquid means that the unripe fruit is abundantly saturated with dyes. If the water has acquired a subtle pinkish tint, then this is the best result. Is it possible for a decorative rabbit watermelon peels after such a check? Yes. However, before this you need to clarify a few more recommendations.
Do I need to wash and clean?
Before you think over the animal’s diet, you need to not only find out whether watermelon peels are possible for rabbits, but also how to prepare them correctly.
It is worth considering that these fruits are very often covered with all kinds of stabilizers and protective agents. If the animal begins to actively eat such foods, it will begin to suffer from indigestion and bloating. Therefore, immediately after acquiring watermelons, it is necessary to thoroughly rinse it in warm running water. Thanks to this, it will be possible to remove not only the accumulated dirt that settles during transportation and storage, but also some of the chemicals.
When shouldn't watermelon peels be given?
As you know, these animals are not very picky in food, so in any case they will eat everything that they are given. Accordingly, before you transfer the rabbit to food with watermelon peels, you should first let him try a small piece of the berry. After that, you can increase the dose.
When determining whether rabbits can have watermelon peels, it is worth considering another recommendation. It is impossible to give animals such food if the process of softening the balls of their litter has already begun. Also, sweet berries should not be given if animals suffer from diarrhea. The fact is that watermelon already has laxative properties.
Also, watermelon peels should not constitute the main diet, in addition to them, it is necessary to include fruits and vegetables. It is recommended to feed rabbits:
- potatoes;
- carrots;
- zucchini;
- pumpkin;
- cabbage;
- Jerusalem artichoke;
- beetroot;
- corn
- barley;
- wheat
- compound feed.
Good to know
Of course, in no case should you give rabbits a spoiled or rotted watermelon. If the berry was purchased a few weeks ago, then it is already considered absolutely unsuitable for food. It is also worth considering that the peel of the fruit deteriorates much faster than the pulp itself. Therefore, in the evening, the fermentation process begins in it. It is recommended that animals give watermelon peels to food during the day, after which the products must be discarded.
If we talk about watermelon seeds, then they can be safely given to animals, since they contain a lot of fatty acids that will be useful for the liver of rabbits.
Can rabbits have watermelon peels? Of course, but before that, you must definitely check them for nitrates, rinse and make sure that the feed has not deteriorated.