Unbelievable foods rabbits can munch on
Rabbits, known for their delicate digestive systems, can enjoy a diverse and nutritious diet beyond the usual hay and pellets. A variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs can be safely incorporated into a bunny's meals, offering a wealth of nutrients and flavours.
Safe Fruits for Rabbits
Moderation is key when it comes to feeding fruits to rabbits. Some safe options include apples (without seeds), apricots (with the pits removed), bananas, and bell peppers. However, it's essential to remember that fruits like kiwi, melon, and strawberries should be given in small quantities as occasional treats due to their sugar levels.
Leafy Greens and Herbs
Leafy greens and herbs are a staple in a rabbit's diet, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Some safe options include arugula, basil, bok choy, cabbage, carrot tops, cilantro, dandelion greens, dill, kale, lemongrass, mint, oregano, parsley, romaine lettuce, rosemary, spinach, spring greens, thyme, turnip greens, and watercress.
Other Safe Vegetables
Broccoli and celery are also safe vegetables for rabbits. However, some vegetables like broccoli may cause gas if given often, so it's best to feed these less frequently.
Surprising Options
Lemongrass, rosemary, and rocket (arugula) offer a delicious twist to a rabbit's diet and provide extra nutrients.
Hydrating Options
Cucumber is a super hydrator and can be given to rabbits in hot weather. Zucchini is another hydrating supplement in a rabbit's diet, rich in potassium and calcium.
Dental Health and Fibre
Cauliflower leaves are a great option for dental health and fibre, rich in vitamins A and K. Willow branches and leaves are wonderful for helping manage your bunny's tooth length.
Digestive Aids
Fresh papaya and pineapple, when fed in small amounts, may help break down hair in the digestive tract and support healthy digestive function.
Bok Choy and Jerusalem Artichoke
Bok Choy offers your bun a variety of textures and is packed with antioxidants, vitamins A, K, magnesium, and potassium. Jerusalem artichoke is high in water and fiber, great for regular feeding.
Arugula and Collard Greens
Arugula offers rabbits a hydration boost and is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, but should be fed in moderation due to its calcium content. Collard greens are super additions to a rabbit's menu for their high levels of vitamins A and K, calcium, and manganese.
Mint and Sunflower Petals
Mint is a great option for fussy feeders and is rich in iron, potassium, and vitamin A. Bunnies can eat the mint leaves and the stalks. Sunflower petals are a tasty treat containing magnesium, selenium, and vitamin E. Sunflower seeds are high in protein and can contribute to weight gain.
Peaches and Plums
Peaches are a tasty treat for rabbits in moderation, rich in fiber and vitamin C. Plums are juicy and contain vitamin C and antioxidants, but should be fed in small quantities.
Dill and Squash
Dill is a nutrient-rich herb for rabbits, containing vitamins A, C, and K, as well as magnesium, calcium, and iron. Squash is a high-fiber food that makes it good for rabbits and it also contains zinc, sodium, and beta-carotene, which is linked to promoting eye health.
Melon and Apples
Melon is a hydrating summer fruit for rabbits, but should be fed in moderation due to sugar levels. Apples are a super treat for rabbits, but the high sugar content means that if your bunny is an easy keeper, or isn't accustomed to eating fruit, they should only eat very small quantities.
Kale and Bananas
Kale contains a vast and varied program of vitamins and minerals and is rich in fiber and calcium. It should be fed to buns in moderation due to its calcium content. Bananas are a great way to promote your rabbit's healthy muscle function and bodily health, but should only be fed in small quantities as an occasional treat due to their high sugar content.
Water Source and Fresh Foods
A bunny's diet should also include a handful of fresh foods like greens, and a constantly available clean, fresh water source. It is recommended that rabbits are fed up to six different kinds of fresh food within their portion daily.
Chamomile Flowers
Fresh chamomile flowers have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties and anecdotal evidence suggests it helps promote healthy gut function in bunnies.
Foods to Avoid
It's crucial to avoid certain foods that can be toxic or harmful to rabbits. These include avocados, beans/legumes, chocolate, corn, fruit seeds or pits, potatoes, rhubarb, and any processed human foods.
Wool Block and Digestive Upset
Rabbits cannot vomit, so everything they eat has to be dealt with by the digestive tract. A condition called wool block can occur when hair is ingested while a rabbit grooms themselves, causing a blockage. Thus, it's essential to introduce anything new to a rabbit's diet slowly to prevent digestive upset.
Food and nutrition are essential components of a pet rabbit's care, contributing to its overall health. A diverse diet beyond hay and pellets can offer a wealth of nutrients and flavors.
Safe fruits for rabbits include apples (without seeds), apricots (with pits removed), bananas, and bell peppers. Fruits like kiwi, melon, and strawberries should be given in small quantities as occasional treats due to their sugar levels.
Leafy greens and herbs are a staple in a rabbit's diet, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Some safe options include arugula, basil, bok choy, cabbage, carrot tops, cilantro, dandelion greens, dill, kale, lemongrass, mint, oregano, parsley, romaine lettuce, rosemary, spinach, spring greens, thyme, turnip greens, and watercress.
Broccoli and celery are also safe vegetables for rabbits. However, broccoli may cause gas if given often, so it's best to feed these less frequently.
Lemongrass, rosemary, and rocket (arugula) offer a delicious twist to a rabbit's diet and provide extra nutrients. Cucumber is a super hydrator and can be given to rabbits in hot weather. Zucchini is another hydrating supplement in a rabbit's diet, rich in potassium and calcium.
Cauliflower leaves are a great option for dental health and fibre, rich in vitamins A and K. Willow branches and leaves are wonderful for helping manage your bunny's tooth length. Fresh papaya and pineapple, when fed in small amounts, may help break down hair in the digestive tract and support healthy digestive function.
Bok Choy offers your bun a variety of textures and is packed with antioxidants, vitamins A, K, magnesium, and potassium. Jerusalem artichoke is high in water and fiber, great for regular feeding. Arugula offers rabbits a hydration boost and is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, but should be fed in moderation due to its calcium content. Collard greens are super additions to a rabbit's menu for their high levels of vitamins A and K, calcium, and manganese.
Mint is a great option for fussy feeders and is rich in iron, potassium, and vitamin A. Bunnies can eat the mint leaves and the stalks. Sunflower petals are a tasty treat containing magnesium, selenium, and vitamin E. Sunflower seeds are high in protein and can contribute to weight gain.
Peaches are a tasty treat for rabbits in moderation, rich in fiber and vitamin C. Plums are juicy and contain vitamin C and antioxidants, but should be fed in small quantities. Dill is a nutrient-rich herb for rabbits, containing vitamins A, C, and K, as well as magnesium, calcium, and iron. Squash is a high-fiber food that makes it good for rabbits and it also contains zinc, sodium, and beta-carotene, which is linked to promoting eye health.
Melon is a hydrating summer fruit for rabbits, but should be fed in moderation due to sugar levels. Apples are a super treat for rabbits, but the high sugar content means that if your bunny is an easy keeper, or isn't accustomed to eating fruit, they should only eat very small quantities. Kale contains a vast and varied program of vitamins and minerals and is rich in fiber and calcium. It should be fed to buns in moderation due to its calcium content. Bananas are a great way to promote your rabbit's healthy muscle function and bodily health, but should only be fed in small quantities as an occasional treat due to their high sugar content.
A bunny's diet should also include a handful of fresh foods like greens, and a constantly available clean, fresh water source. It is recommended that rabbits are fed up to six different kinds of fresh food within their portion daily. Fresh chamomile flowers have anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties and anecdotal evidence suggests it helps promote healthy gut function in bunnies.
It's crucial to avoid certain foods that can be toxic or harmful to rabbits. These include avocados, beans/legumes, chocolate, corn, fruit seeds or pits, potatoes, rhubarb, and any processed human foods. Rabbits cannot vomit, so everything they eat has to be dealt with by the digestive tract. A condition called wool block can occur when hair is ingested while a rabbit grooms themselves, causing a blockage. Thus, it's essential to introduce anything new to a rabbit's diet slowly to prevent digestive upset.
