While hay & rabbit pellets should make up a large portion of your rabbit’s diet, fresh veggies should also be offered on a daily basis (about 1-2 cups per rabbit per day).  Click here to read more about feeding wool rabbits.  Some great everyday options include: *romaine or dark leaf lettuce *carrot tops *collard greens *kale *celery & celery leaves *asparagus *squash *cucumbers *broccoli leaves *bok choy *clover or dandelion leaves & flowers *mustard greens *herbs like basil, cilantro, dill, mint, parsley or water cress. Cauliflower Again, not toxic, but cauliflower can give your bunnies gas and make them bloated and uncomfortable. Although rabbits love carrots, they contain a lot of sugar and calories but not any good fibre to help keep their guts moving. Does she have sore hocks (open sore on the pads of her feet)? This is eye opening information. Bad Rabbit Food: What NOT To Feed Your Bunny 1. Don’t know how she was away from her nest and siblings because we looked all around the area and no trace of a nest. ),but very sociable. A good diet is the basis of everything. “Junk Food” Chips, cookies, candy….these aren’t healthy for humans and they are extra unhealthy for rabbits.  Foods that are high in sugar or artificial ingredients can cause overgrowth of bacteria in their gut, throwing their whole digestive system out of whack.  It could even cause the digestive system to shut down entirely which will result in death.  Especially do not allow your rabbit to eat chocolate.  While we might find this a tasty treat, it is poisonous to rabbits. This means they should be fed unlimited good quality hay or grass, and some leafy green vegetables and herbs, which can be supplemented with a small measured amount of nuggeted or pelleted feed. Digs anywhere ;carpet,plant pots,corners of the room. Lettuce contains lactucarium which causes diarrhoea in a rabbit. Do Wild Rabbits Eat Corn, Celery, Lettuce, Peanuts, Apples, Asparagus, Grass, Strawberries and Bird Seed? There are many misconceptions about what rabbits should eat including the myths that rabbits need lots of carrots and lettuce as well as regular portions of commercial food. Avocado All parts of the avocado are poisonous to rabbits. The skin, leaves, and seeds are the most toxic parts, but the actual “meat” of the avocado is also toxic. Rhubarb Rhubarb leaves contain dangerously high levels of oxalic acid which can cause serious kidney damage leading to death.  All parts of rhubarb & rhubarb plants should be avoided. Baby rabbits don’t need fruit and veggies. Many people, especially new bunny parents (myself included when I first brought Pudge into my life) do not know what the best food is for their bunnies. The most problematic foods for rabbits, according to Helmer, include foods that have a high amount of sugar and foods that have a high amount of carbohydrates, as these items throw off the balance of the bacteria in their gastrointestinal tracts. They need the roughage that timothy hay would provide to help their digestive system moving. Digestive system stasis can be deadly for rabbits. Glad to hear your bunnies are doing well! P.S.- thank you for the info on this site about diet. Limit the amount to 1/4 of a cup per 5 pounds of body weight per day, because rabbits that eat too many pellets can suffer from obesity. Eating lots of hay/grass helps wear down rabbits' constantly growing teeth and keeps tummies healthy. In fact, rabbits could live on hay and water alone, but we recommend providing some fresh leafy vegetables and a small amount of commercial feed. Arugula is alright in moderation, but it is high in calcium which can lead to digestive issues if fed daily. Foods not to feed your rabbit include foods with high sugar, fat or protein content, rabbits need to chew constantly to prevent their teeth growing abnormally. Other common foods to avoid include: What to Feed Rabbits. Dairy © RSPCA 2021. While we might find this a tasty treat, it is poisonous to rabbits. Animals were rescued and collected last year. Following is certainly not an all inclusive list of things you shouldn’t feed your rabbit, but just some of the biggies.  If you are unsure if a food is safe for your bunny, it’s always better to err on the side of caution.  Remember fresh hay should make up the largest part of your rabbit’s diet, followed by quality rabbit pellets and fresh veggies. 9. Eating too much commercial food (pellets/nuggets/muesli) can cause weight gain and prevent eating enough hay and/or grass. i literally had no idea that iceberg lettuce could be so harmful. You might want to contact a local wildlife rehab center just to double check though. Definitely do not let your rabbit eat anymore parts of the avocado, but if you haven’t seen any ill effects yet it sounds like he didn’t eat too much of it. The skin & flesh are the most toxic to rabbits, but the leaves and all parts of the plant also contain toxic to rabbit’s levels of persin. Thanks for straightforward simple info that’s given us a happy healthy bunny who’s going to be with us for a long time!! Apple is a harmless and safe fruit … Remember hay and/or grass are much more important and should make up the majority of diet. Fiber keeps their digestive system moving. No, rabbits should not eat asparagus. Also, how many apple seeds does it take to kill a rabbit? Celery stalks are a great source of folic acid, potassium, calcium and vitamins B1, B2 and … What have you had success feeding them? 🙁, I doubt that feeding him just tiny nibbles of greens and veggies would impact his health. The ingestion of feed of high fiber has allowed the rabbit to survive and flourish, and it has evolved many characteristics that complement and depend upon this diet. She could have a urinary infection or abscessed tooth that is keeping her appetite down. Etc. amzn_assoc_linkid = "16e2bddc9c403c8699605856e57d49bb";
Also,it turns out he only ate one apples’ worth of seeds, so I think he’ll be okay. To set the record straight, here's our top rabbit diet mythbusters: Carrots shouldn't be main sources of food. Rabbits will also eat their … Rabbits have very unique digestive systems; therefore what you feed them is very important to their health and longevity. If it’s been at least a few days since he had the apple seeds and you haven’t seen any toxic effects (diarrhea, vomiting, convulsions) they have probably been processed by his liver and he should be ok. Perhaps he didn’t end up eating them all? He’s been eating greens and getting no protein, so we want to introduce him to better things.  Commercial treats can have…, An important part of keeping your rabbit healthy is ensuring good dental health. But a once a week treat of spinach will be fine for Jeff. Thanks! Is it muscle or broken bone related? Large amounts of lettuce, for a rabbit unused to it, can cause digestive upsets. Carrots are ok in small amounts, but are extremely fattening. Peanuts and Raisins. On the other hand, muesli should never be fed to rabbits as it can cause health problems. We raised a tiny starving eastern cottontail. Walnuts are super good but not for rabbits. Rabbits need mainly hay and/or grass, some leafy greens and a small, measured amount of pellets. Thanks! Also, thanks for the info on Iceberg lettuce, that was pretty much all we fed him. Raisins and indeed any dried fruit should be avoided due to their high sugar content. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual";
Apples, grapes, pears, plums and strawberries are all safe for your rabbits, in small amounts (for example, 1/8th of an apple or pear, given as a treat). She needs lots of pets and gentle scratches. amzn_assoc_region = "US";
Muesli. Find out how to use dietary enrichment to improve your rabbit's welfare. If he is still not pooping as normal, you will want to get him to a vet. … 10. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0";
Muesli-style foods shouldn't be fed as they cause teeth and tummy problems. As a general rule, rabbits need a diet based on 85% grass or feeding hay, 10% greens and 5% good quality nuggets. Like the man said “the love you give is the love you get.”. Hi! amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon";
The fermented materials are then excreted in cecotropes, which the rabbit eats to absorb all the vitamins & fats from the fiber.   It’s a delicate system that can easily be disrupted by excess sugars & starches causing bloating, constipation or out of whack gastrointestinal bacterial growth.  Click here to read more about preventing rabbit GI Stasis. Sign up to receive our monthly e-newsletter today. Highly processed foods including muesli-type feed may not provide the necessary wear for the teeth. Apple seeds Apples themselves make a good occasional treat, but make sure the seeds have been removed as they can contain toxic levels of arsenic for a tiny bunny body. When feeding your rabbit muesli style food, the rabbit becomes selective, in that the rabbit picks out what it wants, therefore not getting a balanced diet and making the rabbit overweight. Meat & Eggs It may seem obvious as your rabbit is a herbivore, but it bears mentioning.  Please don’t feed meat to your bunny, they are not equipped to digest it!  This includes eggs and any other animal products. These high-carb sugary treats will really only “treat” your bunny … So, again GOOD LUCK!! 3. Like fruit, carrots are OK but only occasionally as a treat. Besides, mushy foods like vegetables and fruit can cause severe diarrhoea and dehydration in baby rabbits, so remember to avoid these foods. Corn Rabbits can’t digest the corn hull (the part that surrounds the kernel), and they could become lodged in the GI tract. Does she have any visible cuts or injuries? Thanks for the information. Meat & Eggs It may seem obvious as your rabbit is a herbivore, but it bears mentioning. 7. Someone is excited to finally see the sun today! Also, thanks for the info about arugula. can you tell me what greens can I give her to make her gain weight and energy? I’m very happy I ran across this page looking for answers to my rabbit questions. thanks! Swedes (rutabaga or... 3. That is wonderful 🙂 Spinach is ok in small amounts, occasionally. Like all bunnies chews everything. Rabbits should receive fresh fruits as an occasional treat. Absolutely NO chocolate (poisonous! Raspberries. Knew about rhubarb too and cookies etc. Nuts & Nut Products While rabbits can digest nuts and small amounts are not fatal, they are very high in fat which could give your bunny an upset tummy.  They also offer no nutritional value for rabbits so it’s best to just avoid them. Carrots/fruit are high in sugar and should only be fed in small amounts as occasional treats. You might want to see a vet to see if there is a medical cause behind her lethargy. I haven’t raised meat rabbits before, but pellets alone are generally not enough fiber for rabbits in general. It really depends on what the issue is. Chocolate. There are plenty of things that you should not be feeding your rabbit that might seem perfectly healthy. Carrots Another shocker as rabbits & carrots seem to go hand in hand.  Carrots aren’t poisonous, but they are really high in calcium & natural sugars which is bad for gut health & teeth.  Carrots should be given as only a very rare treat.  The leafy carrot tops are great for rabbits though and they love them! They do love spinach and it’s a good source of vitamin a, but spinach is also high in oxalates, which can build up over time in the bunny’s system and become toxic. So hay is good? See rabbit meal planner. Provide plenty of fresh leafy greens & vegetables (10-20% of overall diet). wow, I did not know that spinach was bad for bunnies. Peas Not toxic, but high in sugar & phosphorus, they are not a great treat for bunny friends. With vegetables, DO NOT ever feed your rabbit lettuce. Any advice on caring for animals or diagnosing & treating medical conditions for animals is for informational purposes and should be evaluated by a trained veterinarian. Crackers. Feel free to link to or Pin any post, as long as credit and a link back is included (use of up to 100 words and 1 picture is allowed as long as a link back is provided). I will know better from now on. The first thing you need to take into consideration when learning how to feed a rabbit is that rabbits … It’s much too cold for me to grow bananas where I live so it’s not something I have ever done, but my rabbits love bananas. Parsnips 1. And nuts! If you can’t decide where the pain is coming from, a visit to the vet is really your best bet. Hay and grass daily. Wish me luck. Currently trying to care for a displaced week old Eastern Cottontail. Lettuce has been known to cause GI Stasis, a fatal condition. The best diet for rabbits is one that mimics their natural grass-based diet in the wild as closely as possible. Although your rabbits need all these foods included in their diet there are some certain vegetables and fruits which is not suitable for any kind of rabbits. amzn_assoc_title = "My Amazon Picks";
Is there a pain remedy for a bunny’s painful back leg? Lettuce contains lactucarium, which can give... 2.
8. Click here to read more about preventing rabbit GI Stasis, Click here to learn more about caring for rabbit teeth, Click here to read more about feeding wool rabbits.Â, https://thecapecoop.com/feeding-wool-rabbits/, https://thecapecoop.com/gi-stasis-what-every-rabbit-owner-needs-to-know/. It is … She has been a blessing!! The final five per cent of a rabbit’s daily food supply should be in the form of high … In order to have ideally healthy pets, diets should mimic a rabbit's natural food intake as much as possible, as most deviations from natural feed result in severe health problems. This section contains information on what to feed your rabbit and what not to feed it. Feeding rabbits is actually simple and straightforward. Other hazards in the garden, when your bunny is foraging about, include lily of the valley, foxgloves, ferns and oak leaves. 2. 2. #roosters #goodmorn, New greens for the table. If you’re looking for a healthy treat to feed your bunny, try green peppers or Brussels sprouts. As a general rule, you shouldn't feed your rabbit lettuce. In the cecum, the fiber is exposed to healthy bacteria & yeasts which helps break down & ferment the materials. Quick, I give it 15 minu, Snoozy snuggle buddies ❤️🐱 #cats #catsofi, I got these little cuties from @islandalpaca, they. Iceberg Lettuce This one might be shocking, but light colored lettuces like iceberg contain high levels of lactucarium which can cause runny stools.  Iceberg lettuce also contains mostly water and has very little nutritional content.  Stick to darker leafy greens like romaine lettuce or kale. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 11. romaine lettuce) should be fed, as they are higher in fibre and actual nutrients. Muesli should never be fed, as they are high in natural sugar and/or images without my and... Comment below and help us out feed my rabbit an excellent source of food New greens for the 5. 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