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what to feed rabbits and what not to

by Zetta Kohler Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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So, here are some food safety tips to remember:

  • Although rabbits are herbivorous, some fruits and vegetables can cause fatal reactions. ...
  • The leaves of potato plants can be toxic to rabbits.
  • In terms of garden plants, most plants that grow from bulbs are poisonous to rabbits.
  • A rabbit’s gastrointestinal tract cannot handle large amounts of carbs or sugar. ...
  • Small pieces of fruit (i.e. ...

More items...

Cookies, nuts, seeds, grains, and bread should not be fed to rabbits. "Cookies, nuts, seeds, grains, and bread should not be fed to rabbits." Fruits can be fed in very limited quantities – no more than 1-2 tablespoons of high-fiber fresh fruit (such as apple, pear, or berries) every 1-2 days.

Full Answer

What foods should I Not Feed my rabbits?

  • Squash
  • Apples – not the pips, they’re poisonous
  • Bananas
  • Kiwi fruit
  • Melon
  • Pears
  • Plums
  • Strawberries

What foods can rabbits not have?

What Foods Are Rabbits Not Allowed to Eat?

  • Avocados. Avocado is one of the most dangerous foods for rabbits. ...
  • Fruit Pips and Seeds. Although small amounts of apple flesh are OK, apple seeds are a no-no. ...
  • Rhubarb. Rhubarb is an irritant that can cause severe reactions in rabbits. ...
  • Chocolate. ...
  • Allium Vegetables. ...
  • Iceberg Lettuce. ...
  • Potato Leaves. ...
  • Sugary Processed Foods. ...

What food is poisonous to rabbits?

Toxic or harmful foods that rabbits should avoid

  • Peas
  • Cauliflower
  • Bread, Pasta and Crackers
  • Animal Products
  • Nuts
  • Avocados
  • Lettuce
  • Corn
  • Onions
  • Apple Seeds

What can rabbits eat/not eat?

57 Foods Rabbits Can And Can't Eat Fruits Rabbits Can and Cannot Eat. Rabbits often enjoy fruits as a small treat. ... Herbs Rabbits Can and Cannot Eat. Rabbits enjoy fresh herbs, and you should offer a mixture of fruits, veggies, and fresh herbs to provide a mix of texture, taste, and ... Tips for Adding Fruits and Vegetables to Your Rabbit's Diet. Your rabbit should eat a diet of 80% hay. ...

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What food kills rabbit?

Foods that can harm or kill your rabbitChocolate. Just as it is to dogs, chocolate is a big no-no for bunnies. ... Avocado. Synonymous with millennial culture, avocados contain a chemical called persin. ... Yoghurt Drops. ... Iceberg lettuce. ... Rhubarb. ... Seeds, pits and pips. ... Cereal. ... Hamster food.More items...•

What is toxic to rabbits?

Although rabbits are herbivorous, some fruits and vegetables can cause fatal reactions. These include rhubarb, avocado, allium-type vegetables, and iceberg lettuce. The leaves of potato plants can be toxic to rabbits. In terms of garden plants, most plants that grow from bulbs are poisonous to rabbits.

What should you not do to rabbits?

Here are the top 9 mistakes new rabbit owners make - and how to avoid them.Keeping your rabbit outside. ... Buying a rabbit for your children. ... Trusting the pet store. ... Locking your rabbit up. ... Not spaying or neutering. ... Bathing your rabbit. ... Not paying attention. ... Trying to cuddle.More items...•

What rabbit Cannot eat?

Foods Rabbits Should Never EatAvocados.Chocolate.Fruit seeds/pits.Raw onions, leeks, garlic.Meat, eggs, dairy.Broad beans and kidney beans.Rhubarb.Iceberg lettuce.More items...•

What kills rabbits fast?

The most commonly used rabbit poison of this type in the Bay of Plenty is Pindone, though a CSL is not required to purchase or use Pindone in a baitstation, a CSL is required if using bait-mats or hand broadcasting pindone onto the ground. These poisons are fast acting and will kill rabbits after a single dose.

Can rabbits eat cucumber?

Yes, it is safe for rabbits to eat cucumber! Most rabbits will love the fresh taste. Rabbits can also eat cucumber leaves.

Can rabbits eat apples?

Pet rabbits like to eat fresh fruits as occasional treats. Apple is a safe and harmless fruit choice for rabbits, according to Dana Krempels of the University of Miami Department of Biology. Keep apples and other treats to a minimum, however, as the sugar content is high.

Can rabbits eat banana?

Fruit. Pretty much any fruit will make a good sweet treat, though the high sugar content means it should only be given in moderation. It's also important to remove any pips or stones that could become choking hazards. Bananas, apples, strawberries and raspberries have all proven a hit.

How do you tell if a rabbit is poisoned?

Symptoms of Poisoning in RabbitsAbdominal tenderness.Bleeding externally or internally.Depression.Diarrhea.Vomiting.Difficult or labored breathing.Elevated or low body temperature.Hunched posture.More items...

How do you get rid of rabbits?

How to Get Rid of Rabbits NaturallyRed pepper. Rabbits also dislike spicy foods, so red pepper flakes also work as a deterrent.Irish Spring soap. Some gardeners find that Irish Spring soap shavings also work. ... Pungent plants. ... Fences. ... Repellents.

Will rabbits eat poisonous plants?

Those who allow their rabbits free-range should be aware that all houseplants are considered poisonous plants. There may be differences in how toxic a houseplant is, but to be on the safe side, assume that all houseplants are toxic to rabbits. It is said that wild rabbits tend to avoid plants poisonous to them.

What can't rabbits eat in the garden?

Plants rabbits tend to avoid include:Vegetables: asparagus, leeks, onions, potatoes, rhubarb, squash, tomatoes.Flowers: cleomes, geraniums, vincas, wax begonias.Herbs: basil, mint, oregano, parsley, tarragon.

What can I not feed my bunny?

Check out our list of 15 foods that you should never feed your rabbit: 1. Yogurt Drops.

What leafy greens should I avoid for rabbits?

Iceberg lettuce also contains mostly water and will add little to no nutrition to a diet. 6. Silverbeet. Like iceberg lettuce, silverbeet—sometimes referred to as chard—is another leafy green that your rabbit should avoid.

What foods can I give my bunny to help him with stomach issues?

2. Bread, Pasta, Cookies, and Crackers. These high-carb sugary treats will really only “treat” your bunny to stomach issues. Avoid foods high in sugar or artificial ingredients, as—like yogurt drops—they could potentially lead to enterotoxemia. 3.

What is the best food for bunnies?

But while rabbits require a special high-fiber diet—think high-quality Timothy hay, fresh vegetables, and herbs— hamster food will do little to nothing for your bunny’s nutrition. 8. Walnuts. Walnuts are high in fat, not fiber, which can cause your rabbit uncomfortable indigestion.

Why are bunnies so adaptable?

Their distinctive ability to process fiber and nutrients makes them adaptable to many different environments, but their unique digestive systems mean that their guardians must be extra-cautious when feeding them. A number of foods can disrupt bunnies’ digestion and be harmful to their health.

What vegetables can be poisonous to rabbits?

Potatoes. Although potatoes won’t necessarily poison rabbits, this human-favorite vegetable isn’t ideal for them. Potatoes are high in carbohydrates and starch, both of which can cause issues for your bunny’s digestive system. 13. Rhubarb. This common garden plant can be poisonous to animals if eaten raw.

Can rabbits eat avocados?

Avocado. When you think of ideal rabbit snacks, fresh fruits and veggies probably come to mind. Avocados, however, should never be included in your bunny’s diet. According to Small Pet Select, this fatty fruit can be deadly if ingested by a rabbit. © iStock.com/Zelenenka.

What to feed a baby rabbit?

If it’s ever necessary for you to hand feed a baby rabbit, choose puppy formula or goat’s milk as a better alternative. 9. Toxic plants: Lilies, Ivy, and more. Even though rabbits are herbivores, there are still a number of plants that are toxic when eaten.

What is the best food for a rabbit?

Provide your rabbit with food that is specifically made for the health of a rabbit. I recommend getting Oxbow rabbit food. Oxbow is a trusted brand with an excellent reputation among rabbit caretakers and veterinarians.

How to keep a rabbit healthy?

Over time this could result in some severe health issues. To help your rabbit stay healthy, restrict treats to just a couple tablespoons per day. Weight of rabbit. Amount of treats daily.

What are some good treats for bunnies?

Baked hay treats have a high fiber content with only a little bit of sweet flavoring, making them much healthier for rabbits. You can also give your rabbit small portions of fresh or dried fruits and vegetables as treats instead of getting store-bought treats from a pet store. 5. Iceberg lettuce.

How do you know if a rabbit is active?

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...

What to feed a stray bunny?

Even though it’s common to see characters in movies and books offering milk to a stray rabbit, this is not a correct or healthy way to feed rabbits. Instead, rabbits should be given water to drink. Daily fresh water is very important for keeping rabbits healthy and hydrated.

Can rabbits eat small amounts of food?

What to feed rabbits in very small amounts. There are plenty of foods that you can feed rabbits in small amounts that would be bad for rabbits to eat in large amounts. While these foods would easily land on a ‘safe for rabbits’ list, that doesn’t mean you should feed them to your rabbit without reserve.

What are the most dangerous foods for rabbits?

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.

What do rabbits eat?

The answer is simple. Rabbits thrive on high-fiber diets rich in grass hays including timothy, brome and orchardgrass hay. Those new to rabbit ownership may think the big bags of pellets for sale at the local pet store are all a rabbit should eat.

How old should rabbits be to eat alfalfa?

You should phase out alfalfa at around four to five months old. Around six months, slowly start swapping out alfalfa in favor of grass hays and ease up on the pellets. Adult rabbits should eat around 1/4 cup of pellets per day for every five pounds of weight they have, according to Helmer.

How much fiber is in hay pellets?

For pellets, the House Rabbit Society advises you look for brands that contain at least 18 percent fiber.

What should a baby bunny eat?

For the first seven weeks of life, a baby rabbit’s diet should consist of mostly its mother’s milk, according to the House Rabbit Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing abandoned rabbits and educating the public on rabbit care.

Do rabbit pellets have fiber?

Instead, the pellets are more like a rabbit multivitamin, providing supplement al minerals, protein and fiber. “Pellets are far too rich to make up the bulk of [a rabbit’s] diet,” said Dr. Peter Helmer, a specialist in small mammals at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Clearwater, FL.

Can rabbits eat alfalfa hay?

While baby rabbits (which are called kits) thrive on the protein and calcium-rich alfalfa hays, adult rabbits need something a bit more substantial. “It’s like feeding a dog puppy food,” Helmer said. Alfalfa hay is higher in calcium and protein than grass hay, which is ideal for growing rabbits but too rich for adults.

What is the most dangerous food for rabbits?

Avocado is one of the most dangerous foods for rabbits. This is because it contains a toxic compound called Persin. If a rabbit ingests too much Persin, it will quickly develop breathing problems. This can lead to heart failure and eventual death in some cases.

What to do if your rabbit doesn't like hay?

Or, they’ll steal poisonous foods, such as chocolate or cookies. If your rabbit seems to dislike hay, try the following: Choose a high-quality variety that’s free from dust. Your rabbit may prefer a different variety so try hay cubes, kiln-dried grass, and hay cookies.

What is the best hay for rabbits?

According to MAG, hay should comprise 80% of a rabbit’s diet. Timothy hay is ideal due to its low calcium and protein content. Each day, provide a bundle of hay that’s at least as big as them. Hay is a great choice for rabbits because the act of chewing shortens their teeth.

Why is it important to feed rabbits?

Rabbits who are fed an appropriate diet are less likely to graze on unhealthy or toxic foods. That’s why it’s so important to feed your rabbit a species-appropriate diet and to moderate food types that lead to obesity. Contents hide.

What to do if your rabbit eats iceberg lettuce?

If your rabbit has eaten one of the above foods, you should speak to your vet. Many of these foods can cause death in a matter of hours. Foods like iceberg lettuce and cookies are less likely to be fatal to healthy, adult rabbits. Your vet can advise if any treatment is required.

What is the cause of enterotoxemia in rabbits?

Enterotoxemia occurs when there is an overgrowth of Clostridium-type bacteria in the rabbit’s cecum (the pouch between the small and large intestine). These bacteria release a toxin that is fatal. It’s thought that sugary, high-carb foods encourage the bacteria to multiply.

How many times a day do rabbits eat?

Pet rabbits eat up to 30 times per day, so they need a steady supply of food. Rabbits do not have the same dietary requirements as most other domesticated animals, so we need to be aware of what they can and can’t eat. Above all, we need to know which foods are poisonous to rabbits.

What should I feed my rabbit?

Fresh foods such as peas (English and snow), kale, bok choy, Brussels and other sprouts, celery, wheatgrass, watercress, collard greens, squash, bell peppers, and broccoli.

What greens can rabbits eat?

Other greens that can be offered to a rabbit are raddicio (both the version that looks like a red cabbage (but isn't) and the leafy variety), fennel leaves, carrot tops, dandelion greens , endives (curly or straight), herbs (basil, cilantro, parsley, sage, mint, marjoram, etc.), and nasturtium leaves.

What vegetables have oxalic acid?

Swedes ( rutabaga or turnip) Po tato. Tomato leaves. Vegetables that contain higher levels of oxalic acid like spinach, mustard greens, and parsley (these can be dangerous, especially in large doses) Onions, leeks, and chives (these can cause blood abnormalities)

Can rabbits eat lettuce?

As a general rule, you shouldn't feed your rabbit lettuce. Lettuce contains lactucarium, which can give your rabbit diarrhea so bad that it becomes fatal. Iceberg lettuce contains laudanum which can be harmful in large quantities. Yes, some lettuces are worse than others.

Is Hobbit Bun lettuce good for rabbits?

Hobbit Bun on October 20, 2018: Mostly good information, but incorrect on a couple points. Some lettuces (romaine, green leaf, red) are good for rabbits , and encouraged by vets as a regular part of their daily veggies. These lettuces do not have the high water content of iceberg lettuce, and are vitamin-rich.

Can you feed a rabbit to make it sick?

This feeding methodology is an excellent way to kill your bunny or make it very sick indeed. Knowing what to feed your rabbit, and especially what NOT to feed it, is a very important part of rabbit care because some of the foods that might seem great are, in fact, incredibly dangerous. 1. Most Lettuces.

Do bunnies eat the same food over and over?

Plus, it's a good rule of thumb to make sure your bunny gets a little bit of a wide variety of foods rather than a bunch of one kind, so keep this in mind, as well, and don't get into the habit of feeding the same foods over and over.

Can rabbits eat tomatoes?

Tomatoes are a rich source of nutrients; they also contain trace elements that are crucial for human and animal health. For this reason, they are often fed to animals, including rabbis. An important factor to note is that while rabbits can eat tomatoes, they should only be provided as treats. The sugar content found in tomatoes is considered high for rabbit diets, hence the need to provide them in limited quantities. In addition, rabbits should not feed on tomato leaves. This is because the green part of tomatoes contains highly toxic substances. It contains the alkaloids, solanine and tomatine. Tomatine is a poisonous compound found in all parts of the tomato plant but is largely concentrated in the leaves and stems. Solanine is found in all species of the nightshade family and similarly leaves and stems have high concentrations. Symptoms of alkaloids poisoning include diarrhoea, bloat, and stomach pain. Farmers must therefore remove the stalks prior to providing tomatoes to rabbits. Note that this also applies to the leaves, flowers, stems and green fruit.

Can rabbits eat rhubarb?

However, rhubarb is detrimental to the health of rabbits hence is highly unadvisable as feed. Rhubarb contains a toxic compound known as oxalic acid which can cause acute renal failure. Various agricultural research have established that rabbits should not eat rhubarb as they are more likely to experience poisoning. Symptoms of rhubarb poisoning include irritation of the mouth, appetite loss, lethargy, diarrhoea, abdominal tenderness and severe dehydration. Additional symptoms include vomiting and bloat, in severe cases rhubarb poisoning can be fatal. Keep in mind that a veterinary medical professional should be consulted timeously in cases of poisoning.

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