Introduce gradually to avoid digestive problems. Apples, grapes, pears, plums and strawberries are all safe for your rabbits, in small amounts (for example, 1/8th of an apple or pear, given as a treat). It keeps rabbits healthy and can also help to prevent boredom. Lettuce contains lactucarium which causes diarrhoea in a rabbit. Conclusion. It really depends on what the issue is. Cookies. As a guide, feed around two packed cups … The fermented materials are then excreted in cecotropes, which the rabbit eats to absorb all the vitamins & fats from the fiber.   It’s a delicate system that can easily be disrupted by excess sugars & starches causing bloating, constipation or out of whack gastrointestinal bacterial growth.  Click here to read more about preventing rabbit GI Stasis. Rabbits shouldn't eat some lettuces (e.g. Hay and grass daily. Someone is excited to finally see the sun today! 4. The skin & flesh are the most toxic to rabbits, but the leaves and all parts of the plant also contain toxic to rabbit’s levels of persin. Baby rabbits don’t need fruit and veggies. Thanks! It’s on the Petsial site. Most Lettuces Swedes (rutabaga or... 3. Strawberries. Definitely, you need to feed your rabbits a balanced diet of grass, hay, vegetables, and fruits. So I’m very worried that I may have screwed up his system already! Peas Not toxic, but high in sugar & phosphorus, they are not a great treat for bunny friends. Meat & Eggs It may seem obvious as your rabbit is a herbivore, but it bears mentioning. i literally had no idea that iceberg lettuce could be so harmful. He’s been eating greens and getting no protein, so we want to introduce him to better things. Rabbits will also eat their … Arugula is alright in moderation, but it is high in calcium which can lead to digestive issues if fed daily. What have you had success feeding them? She needs lots of pets and gentle scratches. Iceberg Lettuce This one might be shocking, but light colored lettuces like iceberg contain high levels of lactucarium which can cause runny stools.  Iceberg lettuce also contains mostly water and has very little nutritional content.  Stick to darker leafy greens like romaine lettuce or kale. You might be interested in my article on what you SHOULD feed your rabbits – it’s about wool rabbits in particular but applicable to general rabbit diets as well: https://thecapecoop.com/feeding-wool-rabbits/. I never have fed them apple seeds, I knew they were bad for everyone and animals. In the cecum, the fiber is exposed to healthy bacteria & yeasts which helps break down & ferment the materials. Rabbits should receive fresh fruits as an occasional treat. What to Feed Rabbits. Hay isn't just bedding. Digestive system stasis can be deadly for rabbits. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Remember hay and/or grass are much more important and should make up the majority of diet. Rabbits need at least one bundle of good quality hay that's as big as they are … It is … Celery stalks are a great source of folic acid, potassium, calcium and vitamins B1, B2 and … You can read more about it here https://thecapecoop.com/gi-stasis-what-every-rabbit-owner-needs-to-know/ Sometimes stress can cause digestive issues with rabbits – if you recently brought him home he could be a little stressed about his new environment and missing his siblings/mom. If you’re looking for a healthy treat to feed your bunny, try green peppers or Brussels sprouts. Also, thanks for the info about arugula. Celery. Does she have any visible cuts or injuries? The first thing you need to take into consideration when learning how to feed a rabbit is that rabbits … Quick, I give it 15 minu, Snoozy snuggle buddies ❤️🐱 #cats #catsofi, I got these little cuties from @islandalpaca, they. For a more convenient option, feed your rabbit pellets. Is it muscle or broken bone related? As a general rule, you shouldn't feed your rabbit lettuce. Etc. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart";
Apple is a harmless and safe fruit … But I noticed he wasn’t going to the washroom as often this evening but still eating hay. Large amounts of lettuce, for a rabbit unused to it, can cause digestive upsets. All small, hard foods of this nature can present a choking hazard and peanuts have been known to create fatal digestive blockages. Recognising pet obesity, the associated health risks and how to prevent them. Bread. It allows foraging and grazing; important normal behaviours. This is eye opening information. 🙁, I doubt that feeding him just tiny nibbles of greens and veggies would impact his health. But a once a week treat of spinach will be fine for Jeff. Some Common Vegetables There may also be ingredients that do not agree with its sensitive digestive system. The final five per cent of a rabbit’s daily food supply should be in the form of high … There is research to suggest these items may contribute to fatal cases of enterotoxemia, a toxic overgrowth of … There are many misconceptions about what rabbits should eat including the myths that rabbits need lots of carrots and lettuce as well as regular portions of commercial food. Is there a pain remedy for a bunny’s painful back leg? Dairy Twigs from hazel, willow, hawthorn and apple trees are fine, but steer clear of stone fruit trees such as cherry, plum and peach, which are poisonous to rabbits. Carrots/fruit are high in sugar and should only be fed in small amounts as occasional treats. Darker, more leafy and fibrous varieties (e.g. Raisins and indeed any dried fruit should be avoided due to their high sugar content. Have I actually collected a duck egg this morning? What Not to Feed Rabbits.  Dental problems…. It is best to avoid giving your rabbit any kind of nut. For special occasional treats, you can offer fruit like apples, bananas, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, pears, mango, papaya, peaches, pineapple or grapes. romaine lettuce) should be fed, as they are higher in fibre and actual nutrients. However, it is important to know what foods are safe and not safe to feed to rabbits to avoid harming the rabbit and to help keep the rabbit healthy. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Carrots are ok in small amounts, but are extremely fattening. Cereal. Rabbits can be fed small, measured amount of pellets/nuggets each day, ensuring they get all the vitamins and minerals they need. PS-Here is a site I found with a much more exhaustive and detailed listing of what to (and not to) feed your wild 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. Thanks so much, Sandra. Thank you for visiting us & for your support! Feeding rabbits is actually simple and straightforward. Bread, Pasta, Cookies, and Crackers. We’ve since given her a proper healthy diet and she’s lost weight, her coat is thick and soft and no digestive issues. See: feeding tips to ensure rabbits eat plenty of hay. The most natural diet that it is possible to feed to pet rabbits is known as the hay and greens diet, which involves providing hay as a substitute for constant access to grass, and topping this up with a range of green vegetables, leaves and plants that your rabbit would have access to in the wild. Other hazards in the garden, when your bunny is foraging about, include lily of the valley, foxgloves, ferns and oak leaves. Like the man said “the love you give is the love you get.”. Muesli. ),but very sociable. All rights reserved. one thing i sometimes noticed was that they had runny stools which i saw mentioned as a possible side effect. Lettuce contains lactucarium, which can give... 2. 1. Sign up to receive our monthly e-newsletter today. Following is certainly not an all inclusive list of things you shouldn’t feed your rabbit, but just some of the biggies.  If you are unsure if a food is safe for your bunny, it’s always better to err on the side of caution.  Remember fresh hay should make up the largest part of your rabbit’s diet, followed by quality rabbit pellets and fresh veggies. Especially do not allow your rabbit to eat chocolate. As a general rule, rabbits need a diet based on 85% grass or feeding hay, 10% greens and 5% good quality nuggets. Digs anywhere ;carpet,plant pots,corners of the room. Do not purchase more than 6 weeks worth of feed at a time, as it will become spoiled. Wish me luck. Knew about rhubarb too and cookies etc. Fiber is vital to the normal function of the digestive system in rabbits. Don’t know how she was away from her nest and siblings because we looked all around the area and no trace of a nest. amzn_assoc_region = "US";
i have now stopped feeding them this and have seen a drastic improvement. I give it to my bunnies when they are feeling under the weather or recovering from an issue, its very nutrient rich. So glad we found her. Carrots/fruit are high in sugar and should only be fed in small amounts as occasional treats. Other common foods to avoid include: Approximately 85% of a rabbit’s diet should be grass/good quality hay, 10% leafy green vegetables and only 5% pellets or nuggets. Ahhh thanks for that, I’ll make it just once a week for a treat. The RSPCA helps animals in England and Wales. Corn Rabbits can’t digest the corn hull (the part that surrounds the kernel), and they could become lodged in the GI tract. Currently trying to care for a displaced week old Eastern Cottontail. Provide plenty of fresh leafy greens & vegetables (10-20% of overall diet). “Junk Food” Chips, cookies, candy….these aren’t healthy for humans and they are extra unhealthy for rabbits.  Foods that are high in sugar or artificial ingredients can cause overgrowth of bacteria in their gut, throwing their whole digestive system out of whack.  It could even cause the digestive system to shut down entirely which will result in death.  Especially do not allow your rabbit to eat chocolate.  While we might find this a tasty treat, it is poisonous to rabbits. The best diet for rabbits is one that mimics their natural grass-based diet in the wild as closely as possible. Click here to read more about preventing rabbit GI Stasis, Click here to learn more about caring for rabbit teeth, Click here to read more about feeding wool rabbits.Â, https://thecapecoop.com/feeding-wool-rabbits/, https://thecapecoop.com/gi-stasis-what-every-rabbit-owner-needs-to-know/. 5. Absolutely NO chocolate (poisonous! Foods not to feed your rabbit include foods with high sugar, fat or protein content, rabbits need to chew constantly to prevent their teeth growing abnormally. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0";
Nightshade Plants For most animals, eating plants from the nightshade family (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant to name a few) can be toxic and rabbits are no exception.  They should not eat the leaves or stems.  You should also avoid feeding them raw potatoes or peels.  Cooked potatoes are not toxic but are high in carbs & starch so don’t make a healthy treat.  Tomatoes and peppers themselves are fine to feed in small amounts. Tho she displays some wild traits,(she knows she is a prey animal so she can be skittish so no sudden fast movements or loud noises. P.S.- thank you for the info on this site about diet. A couple of hrs. Enjoy your new lil’ friend. She could have a urinary infection or abscessed tooth that is keeping her appetite down. Thanks for straightforward simple info that’s given us a happy healthy bunny who’s going to be with us for a long time!! Although rabbits love carrots, they contain a lot of sugar and calories but not any good fibre to help keep their guts moving. I haven’t raised meat rabbits before, but pellets alone are generally not enough fiber for rabbits in general. Nuts & Nut Products While rabbits can digest nuts and small amounts are not fatal, they are very high in fat which could give your bunny an upset tummy.  They also offer no nutritional value for rabbits so it’s best to just avoid them. High-fibre pellets. The ingestion of feed of high fiber has allowed the rabbit to survive and flourish, and it has evolved many characteristics that complement and depend upon this diet. & ferment the materials allow your rabbit lettuce eat chocolate rabbits in the,! This evening but still eating hay her gain weight and energy but high in sugar and calories but not good. Re looking for a more convenient option, feed your rabbit 's welfare my bunnies is not as energetic my! 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