In order for The Cape Coop to support this blog, I may receive monetary or other types of compensation for endorsements, recommendations and/or links to products and services. Really enjoyed reading this, had my lovely bunny Jeff for about four months in a hutch outside, heâs getting used to me now and being held and just become a house rabbit, loved reading these tips, I seem to be doing ok. Can I ask is spinach ok to feed a bunny, Jeff loves it. Baby rabbits don’t need fruit and veggies. Cabbage Apple is a harmless and safe fruit … Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the content and/or images without my express and written permission is prohibited. Meat & Eggs It may seem obvious as your rabbit is a herbivore, but it bears mentioning. Please don’t feed meat to your bunny, they are not equipped to digest it! This includes eggs and any other animal products. You might want to treat her to some Oxbow Critical Care for rabbits (you can find it in most pet stores or online). While we might find this a tasty treat, it is poisonous to rabbits. Are her nails ingrown? 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/. Thanks! It really depends on what the issue is. Peanuts and Raisins. So hay is good? Rice. Does she have any visible cuts or injuries? Rabbits have very unique digestive systems; therefore what you feed them is very important to their health and longevity. It is best to avoid giving your rabbit any kind of nut. Bad Rabbit Food: What NOT To Feed Your Bunny 1. Avocado was a huge surprise! They do love spinach and it’s a good source of vitamin a, but spinach is also high in oxalates, which can build up over time in the bunny’s system and become toxic. Introduce gradually to avoid digestive problems. 2. There are plenty of things that you should not be feeding your rabbit that might seem perfectly healthy. Thanks! 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). As a guide, feed around two packed cups … Absolutely NO chocolate (poisonous! Eating too much commercial food (pellets/nuggets/muesli) can cause weight gain and prevent eating enough hay and/or grass. She has been a blessing!! Thanks for the tip. What Not to Feed Rabbits. It is …  Commercial treats can have…, An important part of keeping your rabbit healthy is ensuring good dental health. Swedes (rutabaga or... 3. Each rabbit will have different tastes and not all rabbits like the same things to eat. Etc. I don’t know a ton about rehabbing wild rabbits, but I would think Dumore rabbit pellets would be ok if the rabbit is old enough to be weaned which it sounds like it would be. Thanks for straightforward simple info thatâs given us a happy healthy bunny whoâs going to be with us for a long time!!
The RSPCA helps animals in England and Wales. Rabbits don't naturally eat root vegetables/fruit. On the other hand, muesli should never be fed to rabbits as it can cause health problems. So glad we found her. In fact, rabbits could live on hay and water alone, but we recommend providing some fresh leafy vegetables and a small amount of commercial feed. Large amounts of lettuce, for a rabbit unused to it, can cause digestive upsets. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual";
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Walnuts. Peas Not toxic, but high in sugar & phosphorus, they are not a great treat for bunny friends. You might want to see a vet to see if there is a medical cause behind her lethargy. As a general rule, you shouldn't feed your rabbit lettuce. 11. Rabbits should receive fresh fruits as an occasional treat. For a more convenient option, feed your rabbit pellets. To set the record straight, here's our top rabbit diet mythbusters: Carrots shouldn't be main sources of food. :(, You CAN feed them carrots, it should just be an occasional treat because they are high in natural sugar. Jeff. 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. ),but very sociable. You should also feed your rabbit a portion of fresh vegetables, such as broccoli, green peppers, or celery, in the morning and another in the evening. wow, I did not know that spinach was bad for bunnies. Crackers. She needs lots of pets and gentle scratches. i had always fed it on at least a daily basis to two of my rabbits. Rabbits should be fed in a way that is as close as possible to their natural diet : mostly grass or hay. 4. 3. All small, hard foods of this nature can present a choking hazard and peanuts have been known to create fatal digestive blockages. Parsnips Avocado, Cereal, and 13 Other Foods You Should Never Feed Your Rabbit 1. This means they should be fed unlimited good quality hay or grass, and some leafy green vegetables and herbs, which can be supplemented with a small measured amount of nuggeted or pelleted feed. They have a high fat content which bunnies … iceberg) as they contain lactucarium which can be harmful in large quantities. Rabbits should not be fed Lucerne (alfalfa) or Clover hays as they are too high in protein and calcium, which could lead to the formation of urinary stones . Approximately 85% of a rabbit’s diet should be grass/good quality hay, 10% leafy green vegetables and only 5% pellets or nuggets. This includes eggs and any other animal products. Do not purchase more than 6 weeks worth of feed at a time, as it will become spoiled. 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. Someone is excited to finally see the sun today! Carrots are ok in small amounts, but are extremely fattening. Thanks for the information. Carrots Another shocker as rabbits & carrots seem to go hand in hand. Carrots aren’t poisonous, but they are really high in calcium & natural sugars which is bad for gut health & teeth. Carrots should be given as only a very rare treat. The leafy carrot tops are great for rabbits though and they love them! Lettuce and many fruits, are the most common cause for loose faeces in rabbits - and have limited nutritional value. It allows foraging and grazing; important normal behaviours. Have I actually collected a duck egg this morning? and she wouldnât have been here. However, I have fed them a lot of carrots and apple scut up, oops. Sign up to receive our monthly e-newsletter today. Feel free to link to or Pin any post, as long as credit and a link back is included (use of up to 100 words and 1 picture is allowed as long as a link back is provided). Biscuits. Currently trying to care for a displaced week old Eastern Cottontail. Yogurt Drops. ð, I doubt that feeding him just tiny nibbles of greens and veggies would impact his health. Limit the amount to 1/4 of a cup per 5 pounds of body weight per day, because rabbits that eat too many pellets can suffer from obesity. With vegetables, DO NOT ever feed your rabbit lettuce. If you’re looking for a healthy treat to feed your bunny, try green peppers or Brussels sprouts. Darker, more leafy and fibrous varieties (e.g. What kinds of veggies should I feed my rabbit? Feeding rabbits is actually simple and straightforward. one of my bunnies is not as energetic as my other is. Digs anywhere ;carpet,plant pots,corners of the room. i literally had no idea that iceberg lettuce could be so harmful. Cookies. Wish me luck.  Dental problems…. It’s much too cold for me to grow bananas where I live so it’s not something I have ever done, but my rabbits love bananas. I didn’t know that avocado leaves are poisonous to rabbits, I have been feeding him it for the past 5 days. Incorrect diet can lead to a variety of health issues including obesity, dental disease, sticky bottom and sore hocks so feeding the correct diet is the single most important thing you can do to keep your rabbit healthy. High-fibre pellets. While hay & rabbit pellets should make up a large portion of your rabbit’s diet, fresh veggies should also be offered on a daily basis (about 1-2 cups per rabbit per day). Click here to read more about feeding wool rabbits. Some great everyday options include: *romaine or dark leaf lettuce *carrot tops *collard greens *kale *celery & celery leaves *asparagus *squash *cucumbers *broccoli leaves *bok choy *clover or dandelion leaves & flowers *mustard greens *herbs like basil, cilantro, dill, mint, parsley or water cress. Dairy 9. Find out how to use dietary enrichment to improve your rabbit's welfare. Hi, can you feed a wild Eastern Cottontail Dumore rabbit pellets? Most Lettuces Fresh, dust-free hay should be their main source of food available at all times. 10. Rabbits are herbivores, but does that mean that all plants are safe and healthy for them to eat? The surprising answer is no! romaine lettuce) should be fed, as they are higher in fibre and actual nutrients. ), cookies, crackers, breakfast cereals, bread, pasta, yogurt drops or other “human treats.”. Especially do not allow your rabbit to eat chocolate. Meat & Eggs It may seem obvious as your rabbit is a herbivore, but it bears mentioning. Fiber is vital to the normal function of the digestive system in rabbits. If given highly palatable commercial food, rabbits eat quickly, have nothing else to do, so may become bored. Hi! amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0";
Thanks so much, Sandra. Learn how your comment data is processed. Grains Bread, crackers, cereal, rice…..none of these are healthy for your rabbit friend. Anything high in carbohydrates should always be avoided. amzn_assoc_linkid = "16e2bddc9c403c8699605856e57d49bb";
All rights reserved. Does she have sore hocks (open sore on the pads of her feet)? Remember hay and/or grass are much more important and should make up the majority of diet. Do pellets alone not provide enough fiber for meat rabbits? “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. Raspberries. If you click on the links found on this site and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon";
Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The best diet for rabbits is one that mimics their natural grass-based diet in the wild as closely as possible. 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. 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. What Can Rabbits Not Eat? Celery. Cauliflower Again, not toxic, but cauliflower can give your bunnies gas and make them bloated and uncomfortable. Eating lots of hay/grass helps wear down rabbits' constantly growing teeth and keeps tummies healthy. This is eye opening information. The most important thing in a rabbit’s diet is plenty of fiber, Timothy hay is an excellent source of fiber. 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. A good diet is the basis of everything. Walnuts are super good but not for rabbits. Raisins and indeed any dried fruit should be avoided due to their high sugar content. For special occasional treats, you can offer fruit like apples, bananas, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, pears, mango, papaya, peaches, pineapple or grapes. Do Wild Rabbits Eat Corn, Celery, Lettuce, Peanuts, Apples, Asparagus, Grass, Strawberries and Bird Seed? See: feeding tips to ensure rabbits eat plenty of hay. Quick, I give it 15 minu, Snoozy snuggle buddies â¤ï¸ð± #cats #catsofi, I got these little cuties from @islandalpaca, they. We raised a tiny starving eastern cottontail. 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. Past 24 hours I have been adding in little nibbles of romaine lettuce and tiny thin slices of carrots with the hay. Like fruit, carrots are OK but only occasionally as a treat. Lettuce contains lactucarium which causes diarrhoea in a rabbit. Knew about rhubarb too and cookies etc. Fresh … Our monthly newsletter is packed full of pet care advice, hints and tips on helping wildlife, our latest news, rehoming success stories and more. 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. Some things I thought were obvious good choices turn out to be BAD. A good diet is the cornerstone of a rabbit’s health. Also remember not to give your bunny any kind of human treats, and to spot-clean the … Some Common Vegetables Digestive system stasis can be deadly for rabbits. Rabbits don't naturally eat root vegetables/fruit. Corn Rabbits can’t digest the corn hull (the part that surrounds the kernel), and they could become lodged in the GI tract. Hi I'm Liz, welcome to The Cape Coop! 8. 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. i have now stopped feeding them this and have seen a drastic improvement. What to Feed Rabbits. Also, thanks for the info on Iceberg lettuce, that was pretty much all we fed him. 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