Acorns

[Sue_P]

I’ve just been discussing this on a rabbit forum http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?p=4101874&posted=1#post4101874 as my mum and I have just collected LOADS of acorns for her bunnies to eat. I used to feed my other rabbit which died on acorns too after reading this guinea pig/rabbit leaflet saying that they’re safe http://www.smallanimaladvice.com/downloads/DanPlants.pdf . I thought they were safe but by googling acorns and rabbits it seems to say everywhere online that they’re poisonous. There doesn’t seem to be an acorn thread on this site yet so I thought I’d bring it to everyone’s attention in case they’re feeding their guinea pigs acorns from reading that leaflet or somewhere else that they’re safe.

I’d offered them to my rodents but they didn’t touch them thankfully.

 

[Sue_P]

Update: -

I queried the information on the pet food suppliers leaflet with them and here’s what they emailed back...



Dear Sue,

Thank you for getting in touch regarding our literature and its references to Acorns.
Whilst there is a lot of information on the internet, not always can it be relied upon as being totally factual or a true reflection of reality. Many people and organisations have a variety of opinions to which either end of the ‘extremes’ may be published on the internet.

Here at Supreme Petfoods, we try to take a realistic approach to the feeding of small animals, and this is reflected in the associated information we provide.

Whilst it could be said that feeding too many acorns to a rabbit could result in an adverse dietary reaction, the same could be said for a wide variety of many other natural foods if fed in excess. We all know that a rabbit or guinea pig will readily enjoy a carrot or a leaf of fresh greens, however, if fed in excess these too could cause dietary problems.

Whilst feeding natural/fresh produce to small animals, this must be done in moderation. This is the key behind many feeding techniques and is also relevant to the feeding of acorns. If fed in moderation (maybe one/day as the occasional treat), there should be no detrimental side effects for you to be worried about.

In any instance, any dietary supplementation should only be in addition to a good quality prepared food and plenty of fresh hay & water.

I hope you find this information to be helpful, however should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me again,

Kind Regards

Nick Thomas
Pet Care & Quality Manager
Supreme Petfoods Limited.



So I think acorns are safe but only in very small quantities.

 

[Shellza]

Hmm, I would always have thought that they couldn't eat them. Never thought that they could as I think they are even poisonous to horses. I don't think I'd trust feeding them, but never have done so couldn't say if they caused problems or not. Maybe 1 or 2 is ok, but not in large quantities as they have mentioned. I wonder what anyone else thinks on this subject. Would be interesting to find out.

 

[Sue_P]

Well I did a bit more digging online actually before I got that email response and found it says online that wild rabbits eat them but that they’re fatty, so good for wild rabbits in the winter to make them fat but that pet rabbits shouldn’t have too many because of the fat issue. I’m still not certain on the poisonous issue what with them coming from oak trees but if wild bunnies eat them and live then they can’t be highly poisonous.

I think in very low quantities as treats (my mum’s bunnies love them

) I reckon it’s probably fine. My mum’s read the email from the pet place and she says she’ll give them an acorn each once a day, I told her to give them one each every couple of days or so but they’re her bunnies.

& I gave acorns to my Henry in quite large quantities and he didn’t keel over and die as a result.

Of course I don’t know whether guinea pigs dietary needs are much different from bunnies, do acorns exist where guinea pigs are naturally from?

That guide to safe and poisonous plants is for both rabbits and guinea pigs though.