What household foods can I feed a rabbit?
What Human Foods Can Rabbits Eat?
- Carrots. We all know that rabbits love carrots, but entire carrots aren’t recommended because of their high sugar content.
- Lettuce. Opt for darker, leafier and more fibrous varieties of lettuce, such as romaine lettuce. ...
- Celery. ...
- Cilantro. ...
- Lemon Balm. ...
- Broccoli Leaves. ...
- Pineapple. ...
- Kale. ...
- Blueberries. ...
- Bok Choy. ...
What will I need to buy before getting a rabbit?
What You Need to Prepare for a New Rabbit (With Checklist!)
- Dietary needs. One of the most important parts of rabbit care is making sure you provide a healthy diet. ...
- The home base. Most cages sold and marketed for rabbits are actually much too small. ...
- Rabbit proofing your home. Pet rabbits can be little troublemakers. ...
- Litter training your rabbit. ...
- Medical Information. ...
- Other important considerations. ...
What rabbit food is best for Your Rabbit?
The right proportion of best rabbit food in an average rabbit’s menu must look like this:
- Grass and Hay: 75-80%
- Fresh Vegetables: 10-15%
- Dry Food and Pellets: 5%
- Treats and Fruits: 5%
- Fresh Water: 24/7 Use a feeder like this to keep your rabbits hydrated 24/7.
What can you feed rabbits besides rabbit food?
You can also feed your pet rabbit fresh vegetables, but not the carrots we associate with Bugs Bunny. Carrots have more sugar than adult rabbits’ digestive tracts prefer. Small amounts are fine as treats, Helmer said, but dark leafy greens are preferred. Broccoli leaves and stems and dark leaf lettuces make more suitable rabbit snacks.
What human foods can rabbits eat?
What human foods can rabbits eat?Fruit. Pretty much any fruit will make a good sweet treat, though the high sugar content means it should only be given in moderation. ... Vegetables. Similarly, most vegetables are safe for rabbits to eat. ... Herbs. ... Garden plants. ... Chocolate. ... Iceberg Lettuce. ... Avocado. ... Meat.
What are 3 things rabbits 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 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.
What can rabbits 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...•
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.
Do rabbits eat rice?
So, can rabbits eat rice? Rabbits should never be fed rice, either cooked or uncooked. This is due to the lack of fiber, high starch content, and lack of nutritional value.
What do rabbits like to eat the most?
hayRabbits 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.
What fruits can I feed my rabbit?
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.
What do rabbits eat and drink list?
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.
Can rabbits drink milk?
You should not give rabbits milk to drink. Adult rabbits are lactose intolerant and milk products are bad for the rabbit's digestive system. Baby rabbits should also not have cow's milk because it is very different from the milk they get from their mothers.
What do rabbits drink?
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.
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.
What to feed bunnies?
Alfalfa hay is higher in calcium and protein than grass hay, which is ideal for growing rabbits but too rich for adults. If you are feeding alfalfa it's a good idea to feed it mixed with grass hay. This stops your rabbits getting so hooked on alfalfa that it's difficult to make the transition to grass hay when they reach adulthood. You should phase out alfalfa at around four to five months old.
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.
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.
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.
Why do rabbits eat hay?
Also, because rabbits possess two pairs of continuously growing incisor teeth, they need to consume hay constantly to help them wear them down and keep them at a healthy size.
What are the health problems of rabbits?
Two of the main health problems in rabbits are intestinal tract problems and dental (tooth) problems. Both can be largely avoided by providing the correct or appropriate rabbit feed or diet.
Is rabbit feed a herbivore?
It is important to point out that rabbits are herbivores; therefore their natural feed is rich in fiber and poor in energy. Thus, rabbit feed includes the following:
Can rabbits eat fruit?
You can also give fruits to rabbits but they should be in very small portions. Fruits are foods high in calories and sugars. In the wild, rabbits can only access them for certain periods in a year.
Do rabbits have teeth?
Dental problems are not always obvious. Many rabbits are seeing their teeth deteriorate, both on the outside and the roots without giving visible symptoms. Unfortunately, many times, when we realize it, the problem is advanced and difficult to solve. Once again, proper nutrition, especially the consumption of large amounts of hay, plays a fundamental role in the prevention of these problems.
Do rabbits eat leaves?
As mentioned earlier, rabbits are herbivorous animals, so they can benefit greatly from a diet that also includes leaves and vegetables that are healthy for them. In the appropriate amounts, vegetables provide new flavors and textures, as well as nutrients, to the rabbits’ 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 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.
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.
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.
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 is the best food for a bunny?
Green Is Good. One of the best fresh foods you can give your bunny is green, leafy vegetables. It's important to use rot-free, thoroughly washed items. Offer three different types each day, around a cup of greens for every three pounds of rabbit. Here are some excellent suggestions.
How long should I feed my rabbit pellets?
1–3 months: Babies suckle until seven weeks old, but should have access to pellets from around four weeks, in small amounts. 4–7 months: Unlimited pellets.
Why is water important for rabbits?
In the case of rabbits, it's very important that they have fresh water available at all times. Without it, they die very quickly, especially during hot weather or when the rabbit is very active.
Is fruit good for pets?
Fruit is not food. View it as a snack that should be sparingly given. The sugars they contain are natural, but they're still not good for your pet. Don't give more than a tablespoon's worth and don't give it every day. Wash fruit thoroughly, remove all peels and seeds, especially from apples (apple seeds are toxic).
Do bunnies need fiber?
Fiber Is Essential. Rabbits are natural grazers that need a nutritious high-fiber diet. Both this natural behaviour and need can be whacked with one stone—grass hay. Your bunny should have access to this food at all times. There are several types available. Mixed orchid grass.
Can rabbits eat hay?
Hay, fresh foods and water are nutritionally sufficient. When a rabbit enjoys a balanced diet, it doesn't need supplements. Adding them could lead your pet to overdose on certain vitamins and minerals, leading to dangerous illness. You should also avoid these toxic foods. Anything high in carbohydrates, starch and fat.
Is rabbit a herbivore?
Your rabbit is an herbivore. Herbivores are animals that eat plant material. No chicken schnitzel for this customer! A correct diet has freshness and variety. Your favourite ball of fluff needs several items from the supermarket's fruit and vegetable section, minerals, vitamins, fiber and water.
