There are plenty of human foods suitable for rabbits. In particular, the leafy vegetables, raw crunchy salads, and herbs are best for your rabbit’s health. You can also feed the peel of the vegetables, which is generally thrown in the dustbin.
Full Answer
How to feed a rabbit with a diet?
Rabbit Diet: What to Feed a Bunny 1 Hay: The staple of a rabbit’s diet. 2 Pellets: Feed a bunny small quantities. 3 Vegetables: A rabbit’s favorite foods. 4 Fruit: Give to a bunny once or twice per week. 5 Treats: Feed to a rabbit sparingly. 6 ... (more items)
What is the best food for house rabbits?
The majority of the house rabbit diet should be composed of grass hay (any variety). Grass hay is rich in Vitamin A and D as well as calcium, protein and other nutrients. Eating hay promotes healthy teeth and gastrointestinal tract and should be available to your rabbit at all times.
What should I Not Feed my Rabbit?
Do not feed your rabbit potatoes, corn, beans, seeds or nuts. These foods are difficult for rabbits to digest and can cause serious digestive problems. Vegetables that can be fed to a rabbit daily:
What kind of vegetables can you feed a bunny?
Vegetables and plants to give sparingly (one or two times a week) to a bunny: 1 Broccoli (stems and leaves only) 2 Carrots 3 Chard 4 Clover 5 Collard greens 6 Dandelion greens (pesticide-free) 7 Flowers: calendula, chamomile, daylily, dianthus, English daisy, hibiscus, honeysuckle, marigold, nasturtium, pansy,... 8 Kale 9 Spinach More ...
What food is good for rabbits fur?
1. Hay (Oat or Timothy) must be available 24 hours a day! 2. Feed a minimum of 1 cup vegetables for each 4 pounds of body weight.
What kind of food do rabbits like to eat most?
Contrary to popular belief, rabbits need to eat more than just carrots and lettuce. They require a balanced diet of hay, fresh veggies and fruit, and a few pellets....Vegetables: A rabbit's favorite foodsBell peppers.Bok choy.Brussels sprouts.Carrot tops.Cucumber.Endive.Escarole.Fennel.More items...•
What food rabbits should not eat?
Check out our list of 15 foods that you should never feed your rabbit:Yogurt Drops. ... Bread, Pasta, Cookies, and Crackers. ... Avocado. ... Cereal. ... Iceberg Lettuce. ... Silverbeet. ... Hamster Food. ... Walnuts.More items...•
What is the most poisonous food for rabbits?
Avocados. Though an excellent, healthy snack for humans, avocados contain a compound called persin which can be dangerously toxic to rabbits. ... Chocolate. ... Fruit Seeds/Pits. ... Raw Onions, Leeks, Garlic. ... Meat, Eggs, Dairy. ... Broad Beans and Kidney Beans. ... Rhubarb. ... Iceberg Lettuce.More items...•
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.
Do rabbits eat lettuce?
You can feed darker, more leafy and fibrous varieties (e.g. romaine lettuce) to your rabbit, as these are higher in fibre and actual nutrients. Introduce them gradually, as large amounts of lettuce can cause tummy upsets for rabbits not used to it.
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.
What food can rabbits eat daily?
Rabbits must have an adult-sized handful of safe, washed leafy green vegetables, herbs and weeds daily.Feed a variety of greens daily - ideally 5-6 different types, such as cabbage, kale, broccoli, parsley and mint.Introduce new types of greens gradually, in small amounts, to avoid potential stomach upsets.
What is toxic to rabbits?
Apples and pears are the most notorious examples, but the pits from apricots, peaches, plums, and mangos also contain cyanide, as do cherry pits. While the amount of cyanide contained in fruit seeds and pits is generally scant, it is best to avoid feeding them to rabbits altogether.
Are potatoes poisonous to rabbits?
Potatoes are not a good food source for rabbits because they are high in starch. This makes potatoes difficult to digest, but not poisonous. A small amount of potato may not do any harm to a rabbit. However, potato tops and leaves could be poisonous to a rabbit.
What fruit can I feed my bunny?
Foods to feed your rabbit as a treatApples (seeds removed) High in sugar, apples should only be fed to rabbits as a treat.Banana. Also high in sugar, it's safe for rabbits to eat bananas occasionally.Blackberries.Blueberries.Carrot tops. ... Dandelion. ... Grapes.
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.
What is rabbit Favourite vegetable?
Beyond leafy greens you can feed other vegetables such as root vegetables or “flowers” such as broccoli and cauliflower. These foods are often higher in starch or sugars and should be fed in lesser amounts than the leafy greens.
What do rabbits eat and drink mostly?
Fresh, clean drinking water and good quality hay and grass should make up the majority of your rabbits' diet. A rabbit's digestive system needs hay or grass to function properly so a healthy supply is extremely important. You can supplement with leafy greens and a small amount of pellets.
What else can rabbits drink besides water?
In short, water is vital. Rabbits must have access to plenty of fresh water at all times. Rabbits eating lots of fresh grass and greens will drink less, whilst those eating mostly hay will drink more. Bowls are better than bottles as lapping from a bowl is more natural to rabbits.
Rules to Avoid Rabbit Diarrhoea
Rabbits are herbivores. Think of your rabbit as a strict vegan, and never give your rabbit any meat or dairy products of any kind, they will make your rabbit ill. Diarrhoea can be very dangerous to rabbits, so it’s important to follow four simple rules that avoid upset tummies.
Change Rabbit Food Gradually
When you first bring your rabbit home, feeding is very easy. For the first 48 hours, just give your rabbit lots of nice fresh hay, and a little of whatever dry food they were being fed on previously. We’ll look at exactly how much dry food to give in a moment.
Feed Mainly Hay or Growing Grass to Rabbits
Hay should comprise the majority of your rabbit’s diet. The exception would be if you are able to graze your rabbits on pasture. As most people keep their rabbits indoors, it’s hay that they need. And hay needs to be at least 80% of an indoor or caged rabbit’s diet.
Feeding Vegetables To Rabbits
Introduce one safe veggie at a time. When you bring a new rabbit home, I suggest you give a piece of cabbage or bok choy leaf, not much bigger than your thumbnail, or at most 1 X 1 inch, on day 1. Increase the quantities each day, over the next week.
Safe Veggies for Rabbits
Some plants are toxic to rabbits and some, such as iceberg lettuce can cause diarrhoea. But you can share the following basic green veg that many of us have in our kitchens, with your rabbit
Root Vegetables for Rabbits
You can also feed small quantities of some root vegetables such as carrots and parsnips, as treats. They are very sweet and more of a treat than a necessity, so not too much of these unless your rabbit needs to put on weight.
The Importance of Hay for Rabbits
Did you know that rabbits can actually survive and thrive on good quality hay alone? Good hay contains everything a rabbit needs in terms of nutrients but also has two other important roles. Hay helps to keep your rabbits teeth and intestinal tract in good working order. Let’s take the teeth part first
What should I feed my rabbit?
These foods should make up about 75% of the fresh portion of your rabbit’s diet (about 1 packed cup per 2 lbs of body weight per day). Leafy Greens I (need to be rotated due to oxalic acid content and only 1 out of three varieties of greens a day should be from this list) Parsley. Spinach. Mustard greens.
What is the best food for rabbits?
The bulk of fresh foods should be made up of leafy greens (about 75% of the fresh part of the diet). Any leafy green that is safe for a human or a horse to eat is safe for a rabbit to consume.
What do rabbits eat?
Rabbits will also eat bark on trees, tender twigs and sprouts, fruits, seeds and other nutritious foods in much small amounts.
What vegetables are good for rabbits?
Most of the fresh vegetables we feed rabbits have a low to zero level of oxalic acid, but a few, most notably parsley, mustard greens and spinach have relatively high levels. (Note that kale, which is often implicated as a high oxalate food is actually very low in oxalates).
How long does it take for rabbits to see blood?
One study done on rabbits indicated that it would take several weeks of exclusively feeding huge quantities of these foods to see any abnormalities in the blood. This is so far removed from normal feeding instructions for rabbits that there is no cause for concern in feeding these nutritious foods.
What are the chemicals in rabbits?
The one most talked about with rabbits is oxalic acid and it is completely harmless to animals or humans when consumed in small amounts.
What foods can cause GI problems in rabbits?
Foods that are notorious for causing rabbit GI problems when fed improperly are grains of any kind and legumes (beans, peas, etc). Even starchy root vegetables and fruits if fed to excess with their high load of sugars and starch could be a problem and should only be fed as a very small part of the diet.
What to feed a rabbit?
Apples are a good source of protein, carbs, and fiber. It is one of the best foods for rabbits. However, you have to be cautious that you give it in small amounts and just occasionally. Don’t add it to the daily rabbit diet. While feeding an apple to your rabbit, make sure that you peel off the skin as it might contain harmful pesticides. Also, remove the apple seed so that you don’t poison them unknowingly. Try not to give any fruit seed to the rabbits.
What is the best food for a bunny?
15 Best Foods for Rabbit: Vegetables, Fruits, and Packaged Food. The cute rabbit is a ball of soft fur, and one can’t get enough of it. The cuddly rabbits are precious and delicate pets. If you own a bunny, you know the care they need to be super active.
What do rabbits eat?
Peas are a rich source of antioxidants, sugar, protein, multivitamins, phosphorus, and more. Your pet rabbit would love to feed on the peas, pods, and leaves. You can comfortably add it to the rabbit diet plan. It is one of the best foods for rabbits.
How much water does a rabbit need?
The body of the rabbit contains 50% of water. So, they need a high intake of water. You can give a particular vegetable and fruit which has high moisture content. You can also keep a pot of water next to them that they drink water now and then.
Where do rabbits get their carbohydrates from?
Rabbits get the carbohydrates from the plants it consumes. Carbohydrates in plants primarily include sugar and fiber, which is essential for their digestion. You need to ensure a high intake of fiber to keep away from gastrointestinal disease, especially in adult rabbits.
Can rabbits eat dry food?
It is not easy to provide it through natural food, but you can easily do it with packaged food. You can feed dry foods for rabbits to balance the diet.
Is it safe to feed rabbits sugar?
It is low in sugar, rich in fiber and protein. You can feed your rabbit with this fantastic one-stop solution for the rabbit diet. It is best when you lack time to feed your rabbit regularly, and yet you wish to give the best to your pet. It is one of the best foods for rabbits.
What do bunnies eat?
They require a balanced diet of hay, fresh veggies and fruit, and a few pellets. Rabbits have very sensitive digestive tracts, so the transition to hay or pellets, or the introduction of new fruits and vegetables, must be done gradually to allow the rabbit’s system to adjust.
What percentage of rabbits eat hay?
The bottom of a rabbit food pyramid would contain long-stemmed fiber, in the form of hay, which makes up 80 to 90 percent of a rabbit’s diet. As grazing animals, rabbits need to have an unlimited supply of fresh hay daily.
Can rabbits eat vegetables?
Rabbits count vegetables and herbs among their favorite foods. Most greens found in a supermarket are safe for rabbits, with a few limitations and exceptions. (See the list of foods to avoid below.)
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 to feed a bunny?
Fruits and other foods are the best healthy treats for your rabbit. They will provide additional nutrients to ensure that they’re getting the full slate of vitamins and minerals that they need.
How much fiber does a rabbit need?
Rabbits require up to 20% fiber and 45% carbs in their daily diet. These foodstuffs do an excellent job of satisfying those needs. Rabbits can also eat other greens, albeit in limited quantities. These animals have sensitive digestive systems and can react adversely to sudden changes in their diet.
Why is it important to have fresh water for rabbits?
It’s especially vital given the amount of fiber that your pet is consuming. Ample water will ensure that their digestive system functions properly and reduces the risks of constipation or blockages .
What to do if your rabbit is not eating?
What to Do If Your Rabbit Isn’t Eating. Giving your pet occasional treats is an excellent way to gauge their appetite. If your pet is acting lethargic, you can try offering them one of their favorites. One of the most common causes of food disinterest is overgrown teeth, hence the need for a hay-based diet.
Why do rabbits gain weight?
Although these are nutritionally rich, they can lead to weight gain because they are also calorie-dense. Obesity is an issue with animals kept in confined quarters with limited exercise. While rabbits aren’t rodents, their teeth, i.e., incisors, continue to grow their entire lives.
Can you grow fresh produce for a bunny?
You might want to consider growing fresh produce for your rabbit. It can save you money on supplies, given that food alone makes up to one-third of the annual expenses of owning a bunny. You’ll know exactly how it was grown, so you can rest assured that you’re feeding your pet something safe for them to eat.
Can rabbits eat leafy food?
Since your pet is a herbivore, your rabbit can digest leafy foods relatively quickly. You can give them an unlimited amount of hay . However, you should limit commercial rabbit food diets to small amounts each day. Although these are nutritionally rich, they can lead to weight gain because they are also calorie-dense.
Hay Is The Most Important Rabbit Food
List of Possible Fruits and Vegetables
- NOTE: It is always preferable to buy organic produce if at all possible. If collecting wild foods such as dandelion greens, make sure they are from a pesticide-free area. All fresh foods regardless of the source should be washed or scrubbed (in the case of hard vegetables) before serving them to your rabbit.
Alkaloids and Other Worries
- Many plants contain a naturally occurring chemicals called an alkaloids, which are mild toxins that protect plant in the wild.
Concerns About Gas
- Some people are concerned about feeding foods that cause gastrointestinal (GI) gas in people such as broccoli. A rabbit’s GI tract is not the same as a human’s and many of the foods that may cause gas in a human do not cause gas in a rabbit. The most common types of foods that do create havoc in the rabbit’s GI tract are those that are high in starch and sugars because they cr…