tomatoes

[avarismom1]

 I have heard people on this forum say that rabbits should not have tomatoes because they are too acidic.   I can vegetables that we grow and this got me thinking – since tomatoes are supposedly to be canned in a pressure cooker due to their LACK of acidity.  

here’s a little ph scale to explain.

Many vegetables lie somewhere in the middle of the pH range. The pH of asparagus, for example, is 5.6;

of sweet potatoes, 5.4;

of cucumbers, 5.1;

of carrots, 5.0;

of green peas, 6.2;

of corn, 6.3.

Tomatoes fit on the pH scale on the lower end of most vegetables. Their pH ranges from 4.0 to 4.6. This range is higher (less acidic) than pears, for example, with a pH of 3.9, and also higher (less acidic) than peaches, with a pH of 3.5, or strawberries (3.4) or plums (2.9).

 

So is it okay to feed small amounts of homegrown tomatoes as a treat?  If not why not?  A lot of other sites say it is fine, but most rabbits won’t eat tomatoes – mine went nuts for the plum and grape tomotes wer grew in the garden this summer.

[Sarita]

Tomatoes are fine really. I don’t think they are a problem – I don’t feed them because it’s kind of messy for me compared to greens.

[Stickerbunny]

Tomatoes are acidic BEFORE being cooked – canned tomatoes are cooked which removes the acid problem, also why it isn’t a problem with sauces etc. With parrots, the acid of raw tomatoes can give them upset stomachs, so probably the same with rabbits. A little bit probably wouldn’t hurt, but I would guess the issue is like with gas causing veggies, too much or a rabbit that is sensitive to the acid can cause stomach issues / stasis.

[avarismom1]

 stickerbunny it’s actually reversed – canning/cooking/processing them INCREASES acidity by condensing them.  It releases way more oxigenated free radicals but definately increases acidity.  Sorry I’m such a food geek – did I mention I’m a chef

 

Canned tomatoes are  always more acidic than fresh tomatoes because of the impact of the canning process. The pH of canned tomatoes can dip down into the 3.2-3.5 pH range. For this reason, avoiding canned tomatoes would be another recommendation if a person were trying to consume foods with a higher pH.

 

Finally, from a pH perspective with respect to cooking, we haven’t seen any evidence that cooking of tomatoes can significantly increase their alkalinity above the 4.5 range. But we also don’t think of the 4.5 range of fully ripe, fresh, organically grown tomatoes as a problem, particularly when combined with other vegetables in our recipes that bring in plants whose pH is in the 5-6 range.

 

this link says the same

http://www.ehow.com/how_5632614_curb-acidity-tomatoes.html

 

So anyway good to know it’s okay because both my buns would rather eat a tomato than a banana!

[Stickerbunny]

Hm, really? The vets articles all say the opposite. Odd. o.O But then vets aren’t food geeks, but the acid is still said to be an issue so I avoid *shrug*

http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-diet-and-health/bird-nutrition/bird-tomatoes.aspx

[Sarita]

Well, I know that the guinea pig rescuer fed it to her rabbits with no problems because she fed them to her guinea pigs.

Very cool that you are a chef! My husband is a retired chef – it’s a difficult job!

[avarismom1]

that’s very weird that that site says the opposite. Now I need to go find a chemist or some ph test strips or something!

It is a difficult job – not a lot of people have jobs where they walk in and start from scratch every day – get all their work thrown at them in a very short amount of time – create delicious art for them and then clean it up and start over fresh again the next day! I love the fast pace and creative side of it! I couldn’t imagine having a “normal” job!

[avarismom1]

I do not know who Dr. Joshi is, but he says:
http://www.chacha.com/question/are-tomatoes-acidic

[Sam and Lady's Human]

Yeah, I used to work for chacha, don’t base anything off any answers you get from them. They are worse than wiki.

[Sam and Lady's Human]

Tomato leaves and vines are toxic to rabbits-
http://adoptarabbit.org/articles/toxic.html

but the fruit itself is fine
http://adoptarabbit.org/articles/packet/abcvegi.html
That link is referred by rabbit.org, so I think you’re ok. Its to be a treat though, like other fruit

[Sam and Lady's Human]

double

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Tomatoes are fine Mine will only take a weensy nibble anyways (If I’ve forgotten to replenish teh bunny veggies, they may end up on the odd night with green pepper and tomatoe to make up part of their dinner!) the guinea pigs eat them though!

[avarismom1]

I haven’t given them any since the last of our own tomatoes were gone. I offered Hoppers a slice last night as he begged for my dinner and let me tell you – no interest at all in grocery store tomatoes. He gave me such a look of disdain it was too funny! So homegrown are his favorite – store bought way beneath him.

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