Apples and small pets
Each animal is checked separately. An answer for one species never stands in for another.
Also called: apple, aple
| Animal | Verdict | Short answer |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbits | Caution | Small amounts only, as an occasional treat, and never the pips. Fruit is high in sugar, and Merck lists fruit as something to limit for rabbits. |
| Guinea pigs | Safe | Yes, as a small treat, without the pips. Fruit is high in sugar, so PDSA advises very small amounts. |
| Hamsters | Safe | Yes, a small piece without the seeds. Keep fruit small: it is sugary, and Russian dwarf hamsters are particularly prone to diabetes. |
| Gerbils | Safe | Yes, in small amounts alongside their pellets. The RSPCA lists apple among foods that can supplement a gerbil's pellet food. |
| Rats | Not verified | We haven't verified this for rats yet. That doesn't mean it's safe. If your rat has eaten it, contact a vet who treats small mammals. |
| Mice | Not verified | We haven't verified this for mice yet. That doesn't mean it's safe. If your mouse has eaten it, contact a vet who treats small mammals. |
| Ferrets | Caution | Best avoided. Merck says ferrets should not be fed fruit or other sugary treats, because sugar may worsen a common ferret tumour. |