What to Feed the Rabbit A tamed or captured rabbit
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha. Oryctolagus cuniculus includes the European rabbit species and its descendants, the world's 305 breeds of domestic rabbit. Sylvilagus includes 13 wild rabbit species, among them the 7 types of cottontail. T…
What do you feed a wild rabbit with hay and grass?
You can supplement the grass and hay with a small amount of pelleted rabbit food from a pet store, but avoid feeding wild rabbits too much, since pellets are very nutritionally dense. You can also give them leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard!
What is the best food for a pet rabbit?
Pet rabbits require a balanced commercial food pellet, along with hay and fresh foods. Experts recommend this formula for adding rabbit safe foods to your rabbit’s daily diet: Dried: a variety of dried grasses and hay should always be available. Fresh: 75 percent leafy greens, 15 percent other veggies, 10 percent fruits.
What do you feed an orphaned baby rabbit?
You can supplement the grass and hay with a small amount of pelleted rabbit food from a pet store, but avoid feeding wild rabbits too much, since pellets are very nutritionally dense. You can also give them leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard! To learn how to feed an orphaned baby rabbit, read on!
What do Rabbits eat besides pellets?
Unlimited Grass Hay – Grass hay is a requirement for all rabbits whether you feed them pellets or not. The following are optional and can help to enhance a rabbit’s diet if given in the correct portions: Other Vegetables (celery, broccoli, bell peppers, etc.)
What should you not feed a tame rabbit?
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 Bunny's favorite food?
Rabbits love vegetables and they are good for them. Stay away from potatoes, beans, nuts, seeds, and corn to avoid digestive problems. Once they've committed to eating their daily hay, your rabbit will be ecstatic to eat green, leafy vegetables like lettuce and escarole.
What are 3 things rabbits eat?
Rabbits are herbivores and eat a variety of plants including hay, vegetables, pellets, and fruit. ... Rabbits rely on their sense of smell and sight to locate edible plants. ... Wild rabbits predominantly eat grasses and hay, but will also eat shoots, leaves, bark, vegetables, fruits, and their own pellets.More items...•
What do rabbits like eating the most?
hayRabbits love their food and enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables as part of a balanced diet. The main part of a rabbit's diet should be unlimited amounts of fresh hay (preferably Timothy or Meadow Hay), grass, and plenty of clean water available. See 'What do rabbits eat?
What food is poisonous to 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...•
What is a bunny's favorite treat?
Some of their favorites are radishes and their green tops, bell peppers, leafy greens (basil, cilantro, romaine, frisee, watercress, dandelion greens), pumpkin, and more. For more information, check out The House Rabbit Society's rabbit food ideas on their site.
Are carrots bad for rabbits?
Reality: carrots shouldn't be a main source of food. Rabbits don't naturally eat root vegetables or fruit. Carrots and fruit are high in sugar and should only be fed in small amounts as occasional treats. Rabbits need mainly hay and/or grass, some leafy greens and a small, measured amount of pellets.
Can rabbits eat carrots everyday?
If your rabbit has no health issues, it's fine for him to nibble a carrot every day. But only in limited amounts. Bunnies should enjoy these sweet treats sparingly.
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?
Yes, it is safe for rabbits to eat cucumber! Most rabbits will love the fresh taste. Rabbits can also eat cucumber leaves.
What veg 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.
How often should you feed your rabbit?
The total amount of fresh food that you may give to your rabbit daily (once your bunny has been gradually introduced to it), is a minimum of 1 heaping cup (loosely packed), per 5 pound of body weight, given two times a day.
What are bunnies favorite veggies?
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.
Do bunnies like bananas?
Rabbits love bananas because of their sweet taste. A rabbit will continue asking for more because sugar is highly addictive. Offering too much banana can cause your rabbit to lose interest in other, more nutritious foods, such as leafy vegetables. Some rabbits may even beg for bananas and refuse to eat anything else.
Do bunnies like carrots?
Rabbits don't naturally eat root vegetables or fruit. Carrots and fruit are high in sugar and should only be fed in small amounts as occasional treats. Rabbits need mainly hay and/or grass, some leafy greens and a small, measured amount of pellets.
Do bunnies like peanut butter?
Peanut butter is not a good food for rabbits, and you should not feed peanut butter to bunnies. It is too high in fats and salts. Too much peanut butter could upset rabbits' delicate digestive system, and lead to serious intestinal problems.
What to feed a bunny?
Experts recommend this formula for adding rabbit safe foods to your rabbit’s daily diet: 1 Dried: a variety of dried grasses and hay should always be available. 2 Fresh: 75 percent leafy greens, 15 percent other veggies, 10 percent fruits.
What are some good foods to feed a bunny?
Asparagus. Bananas.
Can rabbits eat blackberries?
Rabbits can eat blackberries safely. In fact, blackberries are natural astringents, which can help tighten blood vessels and heal wounds along with easing G.I. issues like diarrhea.
Can rabbits eat broccoli?
Broccoli is a great addition to your rabbit’s regular fresh food menu.
Can rabbits eat cilantro?
Cilantro is a safe addition to your rabbit’s regular menu of fresh leafy greens.
Can rabbits eat lettuce? Can rabbits eat kale?
Leafy greens make up an important part of your pet rabbit’s daily fresh food diet.
What is the best food for a bunny?
Pet rabbits require a balanced commercial food pellet, along with hay and fresh foods. Experts recommend this formula for adding rabbit safe foods to your rabbit’s daily diet: Dried: a variety of dried grasses and hay should always be available. Fresh: 75 percent leafy greens, 15 percent other veggies, 10 percent fruits.
What to feed wild rabbits in winter?
Plants to feed rabbits in the winter. If you’re thinking about wild rabbits in the winter, you’ll want to provide them with woody and twiggy bushes and shrubbery that they’ll be able to eat. Some good plants include berry bushes, such as raspberry or blackberry plants . Some trees, such as oak, sumac, and dogwood are also good options ...
What do wild rabbits normally eat?
Through most of the year this will consist of grass combined with other leafy plants they can find naturally, such as clover and wildflowers.
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.
Why do rabbits die 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 of many rabbits who cannot get enough to eat during the winter.
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.
What are some unusual behaviors of rabbits?
If you’re paying close attention to your rabbit, you might notice some unusual behaviors. One of these behaviors that is unique to rabbits is tooth grinding. You might see their whiskers vibrate,...
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.
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.
What Do Rabbits Eat?
It provides an ideal nutrient base, along with the necessary fiber to keep their GI tract healthy. Rabbits require up to 20% fiber and 45% carbs in their daily diet. These foodstuffs do an excellent job of satisfying those needs.
Why Is Water Essential to a Rabbit’s Diet?
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.
How to help a rabbit with a recurrence?
Your vet may also prescribe medications to make your rabbit more comfortable and take care of any underlying conditions. Feeding your pet the recommended diet will go a long way toward preventing a recurrence.
Why is my rabbit not eating?
One of the most common causes of food disinterest is overgrown teeth, hence the need for a hay-based diet. If your rabbit isn’t feeling well because of something else , they might not want 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.
Can you feed a bunny fresh food?
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 .
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 to feed a bunny?
Fruits can also be fed in small amounts. In the wild these would be special high calorie foods obtained only at certain times of the year. Fruits make great training treats! You also might choose to hand-feed the fruit portion of the diet as part of developing a close bond with your bunny and also to make sure he has an appetite every day. It is a great way to see if your bunny is feeling good when you observe if he takes his fruit treat every morning! If he doesn’t want to eat his treat, it is time to call your veterinarian. Remember that dried fruits are about 3 times as concentrated as the fresh variety so feed less of those. Rabbits, like many animals naturally gravitate towards high calorie foods such as those high in sugar or starch. This is a protective device from the wild days when they could never be sure when or if they would get the next meal. When a plant would produce fruit, it is for a limited time and all the animals in the area would want to gobble these gems up quickly! This means that rabbits cannot limit themselves when given sugary or starchy foods if left to their own devices! Overfeeding fruits can result in a weight gain or GI upset so it is up to you to feed these foods in limited amounts. An approximate amount of fruit to feed your rabbit is a teaspoon per 2 lbs of body weight daily in one feeding or divided into multiple feedings.
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 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 vegetables should I feed my rabbit?
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. Avoid foods in the onion family such as leeks, chives and onions because eating these foods could cause blood abnormalities. A good amount of “other” vegetables (non leafy greens) to feed your rabbit would be about 1 tablespoon per 2 lbs of body weight per day in one meal or divided into two or more.
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.
How to feed wild rabbits?
Give the wild rabbits fresh vegetables. Give them at least three different types of greens per feeding, and including one that is high in vitamin A. For the wild rabbits in your yard, you can give them:
What to feed a baby wild rabbit?
Regular goat milk is frequently recommended for baby wild rabbits. Kitten and puppy milk replacers are also good choices.
How to tell if a baby wild rabbit is an orphan?
Determine if the baby wild rabbit is truly an orphan. If you find a nest of baby wild rabbits and the mother is not around, or if you see tiny baby wild rabbits hopping around on their own, you may think they are orphans. More times than not, however, this is not the case—their mother is simply not at the nest and will return later. It would be better for you to be certain whether the babies are orphans before attempting to feed and care for them.
How to introduce wild rabbits to vegetables?
Because wild rabbits are not as acclimated to vegetables as domesticated rabbits, introduce them to vegetables slowly. Try feeding them just one type of vegetable at a time.Begin with only a small amount of a green, and watch for any intestinal issues in your bunny, such as diarrhea or soft stools.
What kind of fruit do rabbits eat?
[18] For raspberries and blackberries, provide the wild rabbits with the fruit as well as the plant stems and leaves.
What do rabbits eat?
Provide the wild rabbits with grass and hay. Whether wild or domesticated, grass and hay are staples of a rabbit’s diet. The wild rabbits in your yard will have an abundance of grass to chew on, but will probably not have ready access to hay. The recommended types of hay for wild rabbits are oat, and timothy.
Why do rabbits get diarrhea?
Wild rabbits can get diarrhea if they are introduced to new vegetables too quickly.
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…