what to feed outside rabbits

5 Things I Recommend Feeding Wild Rabbits

• Sunflower Seed-as long as you’re willing to make sure it doesn’t get wet or moldy, sunflower seed can help them stay warm and they like it.
• Kale-a very hardy green that’s also very inexpensive to feed. ...
• Baby Carrots-another one that would be good for you to put some of yours out first before you buy some. ...

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Full Answer

How much food should I Feed my Rabbit?

Most veterinarians recommend feeding your rabbit at a rate of 1/8 cup to 1/4 Cup per day for every 5 pounds of body-weight. Make sure that the pellets you feed are of excellent quality and Timothy based like these Oxbow pellets. Rabbits need vegetables daily to maintain their health and happiness.

What do you feed a wild rabbit in a yard?

You can provide the wild rabbits in your garden with veggies such as:

• Beet greens and collard green – are rich in vitamin A.
• Broccoli –just the leaves and stems are healthy for the wild rabbits.
• Carrots –should be fed in small amounts as they are rich in carbohydrates which are not easily digestible.
• Brussel sprouts.
• Watercress

What is the best food for wild rabbits?

• Carrots
• Broccoli (leaves and stems)
• Edible flowers (roses, nasturtiums, pansies, hibiscus)
• Celery
• Bell peppers (any color)
• Chinese pea pods (the flat kind without large peas)
• Brussel sprouts
• Cabbage (any type)
• Broccolini
• Summer squash

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What vegetables can rabbits eat?

• Carrots . Bunnies don’t eat root vegetables in the wild. ...
• Lettuce . Rabbits should eat lettuce in moderation, and not all lettuces are good for your bunny. ...
• A dwarf adult rabbit needs 0.12 cups of pellets per day.
• A medium-sized or large adult bunny requires just 0.25 cups of pellets per day.

What can I feed a wild rabbit?

During warmer seasons, rabbits will eat weeds, grasses, clover, wildflowers, and flower and vegetable plants. When the weather turns cold, rabbits will munch on twigs, buds, bark, conifer needles, and any remaining green plants.

Can you feed wild rabbits lettuce?

Gardening for wild rabbits Planting some vegetables, such as carrots and leafy lettuces, are also a great way to help feed wild rabbits in a natural and nutritious way. Rabbits can snack on the delicious leaves, but usually, there'll still be some left over for you to eat.

What can I feed wild rabbits in the winter?

Place small branches and twigs from fall pruning on the ground in your yard for rabbits to eat during the winter. Rabbits consume twigs, branches, young trees, and shrub buds in the winter.

Do wild rabbits eat carrots?

Wild rabbits can and do eat carrots. Especially if dark greens are not available to eat, it's common for rabbits to eat carrots and carrot tops that stick out of the ground. If the rabbit has access to dark greens, the rabbit will likely prefer the leaves to the carrot, though.

Will wild rabbits eat apples?

Wild rabbits should not eat sugary fruits, such as apples and tomatoes. Even carrots aren't considered suitable for wild rabbits. Rabbits in the wild prefer branches, twigs, dry and fresh grasses, and plants.

Do bunnies eat bird seed?

Wild rabbits eat as quickly as they can from whatever food source they can find to store up fat for lean times. All wild rabbits possess individual tastes, including individuals of the 13 cottontail rabbit species. But many cottontails will eat birdseed such as sunflower seeds, which are loaded with nutritious oil.

Do wild rabbits eat celery?

Do rabbits naturally eat celery? In the wild, rabbits do not eat celery. They also don't eat carrots, despite our most basic understanding of these animals. Rabbits eat a lot of grass which is why grass or hay should be a large part of your pet rabbit's diet.

Can wild rabbits eat bread?

Bread is harmful to rabbits because it contains starch, which a rabbit struggles to digest. If a rabbit cannot digest a substance like starch, it will ferment and can cause serious health problems in your rabbit. Foods, such as starch, can cause diarrhea in rabbits as well as other rabbit stomach problems, like ulcers.

What do wild rabbits drink?

Wild rabbits obtain the majority of their water from dew and from the plants they consume. They are coprophagic, meaning they will eat their own droppings to extract whatever nutrients they failed to the first time around.

What is the favorite food of rabbit?

Rabbits should have a daily diet of mostly hay, a smaller amount of fresh vegetables, and a limited number of pellets. Hay is the most important part of a rabbit's daily intake. Unlimited, high-quality grass hay, such as Timothy, orchard or brome, should make up the bulk of a rabbit's diet.

Can rabbits eat bananas?

Fresh, raw bananas can be consumed safely, but only in moderation. While bananas are rich in water, potassium, vitamin B6 and antioxidants, they're also packed with starch and sugar. Too much sugar and starch in a rabbit's diet can lead to digestive problems, an upset stomach, gas and diarrhea.

Can rabbits eat cucumber?

Cucumber is non-toxic to rabbits, and most enjoy the taste. Rabbits can safely eat cucumber flesh, skin, and seeds. However, cucumber contains few nutrients and has a high water content.

How to feed a bunny?

2. Feed your rabbit more than carrots. Bugs Bunny may have done fine with a single-veggie diet, but real rabbits require lots of hay and diet diversity. The staple of your rabbit’s diet should be hay, which should be available at your pet supply store. This should make up about 75% of its diet.

What do bunnies need?

Domesticated rabbits need an outdoor home that is spacious, secure, clean, dry, not too hot or cold, well-stocked with food and water, and not isolated from regular contact with humans and any rabbit friends. Help your furry friend live a life that is long enough and enjoyable enough to hop about! Steps.

What are some games that rabbits play?

Games like "bunny bowling" (the rabbit knocking over plastic pins), "fetch" (with you doing the fetching!), and "cardboard castle" ( which is inevitably destroyed) are among the many play options.

How to keep rabbits warm in winter?

Make winter warmer. With a properly insulated and protected home, rabbits can withstand the winter cold, although you may consider just keeping them inside — at least at night — during the coldest time of year. Before winter arrives, repair the rabbit’s home, taking special care to fix any leaks or damp spots.

How to keep a rabbit as a pet?

The days of thinking it acceptable to keep a pet rabbit in a small, isolated “hutch” are in the past. Rabbits need a dry, clean, ventilated, safe, well-placed, and relatively roomy home to thrive.

How much free range time do bunnies need?

Rabbits are meant to be active creatures, running and hopping about, and need at least 3 hours of "free range" time per day for exercise. "Free range," however, does not mean loose and unsupervised in the yard, unless you want your bunny pal to become lunch for your neighbor's cat.

How to keep a bunny from overheating?

Place your rabbit’s home in a shady area, and/or provide shade with a roof or screening material. Make sure the enclosure is well-ventilated to prevent overheating, however. You can also try freezing plastic water bottles and putting them in the enclosure. This will provide your rabbit with some cool spots to lounge.

Plants that are Safe for Pet Rabbits

Some plants attract rabbits due to their compelling scents. Others are longtime favorites that rabbits readily devour, much like Peter Rabbit in Mr. McGregor’s garden. And while rabbits do eat carrots, they also enjoy many other plants that you might choose to place in your garden and that might grow naturally around your home.

Most Popular Flowers

If you enjoy growing flowers or have a variety of wildflowers growing near your home, your pet rabbit might have another great food source. Whether or not you want your rabbit to eat flowers could be another issue. But barring your objections, you might be surprised by which flowers your pet rabbit could consume and enjoy as part of a healthy diet.

Keep Your Small Pet Happy and Healthy with Quality Hay

With some knowledge of the types of plants that you pet rabbit would safely enjoy eating, you can supplement your rabbit’s diet in a small outdoor garden. Just remember that they should only be having a little bit and as a treat more than as a main source of their diet.

What do rabbits eat in the winter?

When food is scarce in the winter, rabbits may resort to eating the bark off of bushes or trees.

What do rabbits need to survive in the winter?

In the winter, when plant life is scarce, wild rabbits need to be a lot more creative in order to survive. The rabbits need to compete for limited resources such as bark, twigs, and evergreen needles from trees and shrubbery that live through the winter. This is always a time of year that is most difficult for rabbits and results in the death ...

How to help wild rabbits survive?

You can help wild rabbits have food resources by planting shrubs and greenery that will live through the winter . This will make more resources available while also working with a wild rabbit’s natural foraging instincts. You can also grow plants year round to give wild rabbits more nutritious options.

How to tell if a rabbit is relaxed?

7 Signs of a Relaxed Rabbit. It’s easy to tell when a rabbit is active when they zoom and binky around the room, but that’s not the only way to know your rabbit is happy and content in your home. You can watch your rabbit's... Continue Reading.

How to keep wildflowers in yard?

Try to treat your yard like an organic garden so that you can keep all the plants safe for wildlife. You can also allow your garden to grow like a meadow, instead of making it always look pristine. You can let wildflowers grow in your yard, instead of pulling them out like leaves.

Can rabbits eat sunflower seeds?

Most seeds and nuts are not great for a rabbit’s digestion. There are some exceptions, such as sunflower seeds, but for the most part you want to avoid setting these out where wild rabbits can eat them. Even though birdseed is not good for rabbits, they will probably try to eat it anyway if they find it available.

Can rabbits eat strawberries?

Leftover herbs, strawberry or carrot tops, or the trimmed ends of many different fruits and vegetables are safe for wild rabbits to eat. Instead of tossing these leftovers in the garbage, you put them outside for the rabbits. But try not to make this a daily habit.

What do bunnies like to eat?

They also like carrots tops and turnip greens. Be sure to give your rabbit fresh, clean water every day. Rabbits are thirsty all the time. Water bowls don’t always work for outdoor rabbits since they get dirty easily and sometimes rabbits like to tip them over.

What do you need for an outdoor rabbit hutch?

The rabbit hutch must have lots of straw, food and water for your outdoor rabbit. Rabbits are social animals, so don’t let your rabbit get lonely. Provide play and exercise for it everyday.Of course, in the winter and summer you’ll need to provide special care for your outdoor rabbit. Contents [ hide]

How to keep rabbits from drinking water?

Water bottles work best. Simply hang the water bottle on the side of the hutch so your rabbit can drink easily and often. Rabbit pellets are okay to give to your rabbit as long as you don’t give it too many. Some rabbit breeders say that hay and water alone would be sufficient for a rabbit.

What is the best bedding for a rabbit?

Straw is great bedding for your outdoor rabbit. People often confuse straw and hay . Straw is larger than hay. It has hollow stalks and a yellowish color. Hay is made from green grass so it looks green in color. Straw is cheap. It will keep your rabbits outdoor hutch clean and sweet smelling.

How to train a rabbit to use a litter box?

When you figure out which corner your rabbit always uses, put a litter box in that corner. Line the litter box with paper or wood shavings such as cedar or pine. The scent of the cedar will actually draw your rabbit to the area so it will want to use the bathroom. Change the litter box daily so your rabbit’s hutch stays clean and sweet smelling.

What is the best house for an outdoor rabbit?

Well made, well-ventilated hutches are the best house for an outdoor rabbit. You can buy rabbit hutches from rabbit breeders or online sites. Some rabbit owners custom build their rabbit’s hutch. Your rabbit’s hutch should be safe, with easy access for you to put food and water into the cage.

Why do rabbits get heatstroke?

Rabbits are prone to heatstroke because they don’t pant like some animals. The only way a rabbit can cool off is through the veins in its ears. Shady areas are the best place to put their hutches in the summer, because this will lower the temperature of their hutch. Also, provide lots of fresh, cold water for your outdoor rabbit. You can also mist your rabbits ears to keep it cool.

How to raise rabbits on pasture?

At it's easiest, the rabbits can be placed in cages directly onto grass. They will eat the grass through the floor. Each day, move them to a fresh spot. Let the manure break down in place to replenish the pasture.

How to keep rabbits from tunneling in pasture?

If you prefer a rabbit colony, you can dig chicken wire down around the perimeter of your pasture to keep your rabbits from tunneling out. Make sure you add fencing above ground to keep our predators too. The biggest concern for a colony is that your population doesn't outstrip your pasture's ability to regenerate.

Can rabbits eat grass hay?

Some say pellets are completely nutritionally balanced and you need to feed nothing else. Others insist rabbits should be eating mostly grass hay as their diet. It can get to the point where you’re afraid to feed your rabbit! Don’t be scared! Let’s chat about some of the ways to feed rabbits.

Can you feed a rabbit without water?

First, a word of caution: Any time you are making ANY changes to your rabbits’ diet GO SLOWLY. Fast switches can literally kill your rabbit. Also, water is crucial, so no matter what feed you are using, RABBITS MUST HAVE WATER, and plenty of it. Even a small break without water will cause your rabbit not to eat.

Can rabbits die from GI stasis?

Rabbits with GI stasis can die. Quickly! So always, always, always keep the water fresh, clear, and plentiful. It’s also a good idea to make sure all your rabbits have mineral spools to round out any nutritional gaps.

Can you feed alfalfa to rabbits?

If you feed alfalfa, you'll need to pair it with rolled oats to get that increased phosphorus to balance out the calcium. There are quite a few experienced rabbit raisers feeding this method in the Yahoo Group Alternative Rabbit Feeding.

Is it better to feed rabbits on grass?

Feeding animals on grass is better for the soil, the animals, and our health. I have not personally raised rabbits in a pastured system, but there are plenty of people that do! (Including Daniel Salatin from Polyface Farms). Heritage breeds of rabbits can do particularly well raised on grass.

What do wild rabbits eat?

5 Things I Recommend Feeding Wild Rabbits 1 Sunflower Seed-as long as you’re willing to make sure it doesn’t get wet or moldy, sunflower seed can help them stay warm and they like it. 2 Kale-a very hardy green that’s also very inexpensive to feed. I recommend putting out a little of the kale you eat (uncooked) before buying some of this to see if they’ll take it. 3 Baby Carrots-another one that would be good for you to put some of yours out first before you buy some. They’ll eat them for sure but it may take a few nights. Just remember that carrots have a high sugar content so they should be fed sparingly. This is true of ALL fruit! 4 Rabbit pellets-start with just a few in with some other food to see if they’ll select them. We’re moving up the expense scale here but you could be doing a lot to help them with good nutrition. 5 Apples-These are best cut up. This is another food that is relatively inexpensive to feed. If you have room, it’s best to store these in a bin in your refrigerator. The same as with baby carrots. Feed these as a treat because of the high sugar content which is not good for their digestion.

Why do you feed wild rabbits?

Feed these as a treat because of the high sugar content which is not good for their digestion. As you can see, you don’t have to turn your world or budget upside-down to be feeding wild rabbits in your back yard. Of course, if you have other wildlife in your backyard it may present a bit of a challenge.

Can bunnies climb doors?

These agile animals can climb tress and open doors. Wire cages are no protection for your bunny. If your bunny cannot stay in your house at night, make sure that he’s enclosed within solid walls and behind a solid door – a garage, shed, or basement – with a good lock.

Can rabbits see raccoons?

With her acute vision, hearing, and smell, a rabbit can sense the presence of a predator such as a raccoon even in your neighbor’s yard. She may panic and injure herself, or she may die of shock. Many raccoons can open hutches. Other predators include coyotes, owls, hawks, opossums, cats and dogs. I live in the city.

Is it safe to bring a rabbit in at night?

If your rabbit currently lives outdoors, we strongly urge you to bring her in at least during the night, when predators are most common. Even if she’s confined to a smaller cage, or a bathroom or utility room, she’s safe, and she’s making a first step to being part of your family.

Can rabbits be outside at night?

The greatest threat is attack by predators. These occur primarily at night, but can also happen occasionally in the daytime. Hutches or cages do not provide enough protection to make it safe to leave the rabbit outdoors 24 hours a day.