thanks! and she wouldn’t have been here. Corn is not an excellent treat for rabbits. In order to feed pets without a mother, you need to take into account different nuances. 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). Hope there have been no bad effects. Also, thanks for the info on Iceberg lettuce, that was pretty much all we fed him. As for what they are actually allowed to eat, rabbits will enjoy basil, broccoli leaves, carrot tops, clover, cilantro, celery, kale, lettuce (avoid cabbage and iceberg lettuce), mint, dill, parsley, mustard greens, and watercress. Rabbits are herbivores. Definitely do not let your rabbit eat anymore parts of the avocado, but if you haven’t seen any ill effects yet it sounds like he didn’t eat too much of it. Rabbits will also leave anything with prickly stems or foliage alone. Remember these three words: Adopt—don’t shop! The fermented materials are then excreted in cecotropes, which the rabbit eats to absorb all the vitamins & fats from the fiber. It could even cause the digestive system to shut down entirely which will result in death. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the content and/or images without my express and written permission is prohibited. You should also avoid feeding them raw potatoes or peels. Never give chocolate as it is toxic to rabbits. (An average rabbit fryer by far outweighs a typical cottontail.) Grains Bread, crackers, cereal, rice…..none of these are healthy for your rabbit friend. A rabbit not eating at any age is worrying. Click here to learn more about these bunny facts and many others. Peppers, not spicy hot; Parsnips; Safe fruit and vegetables to grow or buy. Force-feed your rabbit to stimulate its gastrointestinal tract. You should also avoid feeding them raw potatoes or peels. If a rabbit were to ingest raw rhubarb, he or she could die, although—according to the RSPCA—this happens rarely. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual";
The toxicity of oxalic acid comes with feeding large … I’m very happy I ran across this page looking for answers to my rabbit questions. We hope this article has been helpful in your journey to rabbit feeding. Hi I'm Liz, welcome to The Cape Coop! Wish me luck. They may take to eating more hay than pellets. Following is certainly not an all inclusive list of things you shouldn’t feed your rabbit, but just some of the biggies. However, they are not being asked to produce marketable fryers every three months or so either. Iceberg lettuce also contains mostly water and has very little nutritional content. I didn’t know that avocado leaves are poisonous to rabbits, I have been feeding him it for the past 5 days. You can experiment by leaving a certain amount of food in the rabbit bowl, allowing the rabbit to go to the bowl at any time to feed, but if you find the rabbit keeps emptying the bowl before eating any hay, then this is not a good idea. Hi! Lettuce has been known to cause GI Stasis, a fatal condition.
They will also lack the nutrients required to fend off infection and can die from exposure to elements they would otherwise be able to defend themselves against. 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. Avoid foods high in sugar or artificial ingredients, as—like yogurt drops—they could potentially lead to enterotoxemia. But it doesn’t mean that she is an orphan. Thanks for straightforward simple info that’s given us a happy healthy bunny who’s going to be with us for a long time!! I feed wild bunnies. So, again GOOD LUCK!! If you’re looking for a long-term relationship with an animal, please visit your local animal shelter and save a life. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon";
Bunnies don’t love strong-smelling plants or ones with oddly textured foliage. Also,it turns out he only ate one apples’ worth of seeds, so I think he’ll be okay. Avocado was a huge surprise! Carrots Another shocker as rabbits & carrots seem to go hand in hand. Like the man said “the love you give is the love you get.”. i had always fed it on at least a daily basis to two of my rabbits. What not to feed your rabbit. I am a backyard farmer living on Cape Cod raising chickens, ducks, rabbits, alpacas, & gardening in my 1 acre yard - thanks for joining us! Wild rabbits are experts in finding food. In this way, you will provide them with a balanced diet. Baby bunnies also do not eat if thirsty! So, while rabbits may be conscious enough not to eat meat, for the sake of their health, you should be careful of whatever non-meaty food you feed them with. Thanks! https://thecapecoop.com/feeding-wool-rabbits/, https://thecapecoop.com/gi-stasis-what-every-rabbit-owner-needs-to-know/, https://www.amazon.com/Humorous-P-Trainer-Galesaur-Rectangular-Material/dp/B07R48RDKV/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=rabbit+litter+box&qid=1611597116&sr=8-6. Always make sure the cause of the appetite issue is identified with your rabbit's exotic vet . Very sweet fruits are not healthy for rabbit’s fur as well. Rabbits should not feed on mushrooms of any kind or in any quantity. There are plenty of things that you should not be feeding your rabbit that might seem perfectly healthy. Most of the fresh vegetables we feed rabbits have a low to zero level of oxalic acid, but a few, most notably parsley, mustard greens and spinach have relatively high levels. Pet rabbits eat up to 30 times per day, so they need a steady supply of food. Hello Liz, thank you for all your helpful advice. Apple seeds Apples themselves make a good occasional treat, but make sure the seeds have been removed as they can contain toxic levels of arsenic for a tiny bunny body. amzn_assoc_linkid = "16e2bddc9c403c8699605856e57d49bb";
Click here to read more about preventing rabbit GI Stasis. Provide plenty of fresh leafy greens & vegetables (10-20% of overall diet). There are plenty of things that you should not be feeding your rabbit that might seem perfectly healthy. Again, it is not recommended that pellets be cut with other grains or feed. High-carb foods, like breads, crackers and … Thanks! Cranberries. Select at least three types of vegetables daily. Rabbits do not eat if the water supply is not clean and fresh. Please don’t feed meat to your bunny, they are not equipped to digest it! Knew about rhubarb too and cookies etc. What flowers do rabbits not eat? For example, the domestic Apple, Malus: the fruit, but not the seeds, are okay; leaves and twigs or branches are fine. Imagine giving your pet rabbit a delicious salad. Well, before feeding a wild rabbit, you might ensure whether she is an orphan or not. The most important thing in a rabbit’s diet is plenty of fiber, Timothy hay is an excellent source of fiber. May 17, 2020 - Rabbits are herbivores, but does that mean that all plants are safe and healthy for them to eat? 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. It may be fun to watch them go crazy over greens, but I promise that UNLESS THEY ARE FULLY MATURE (5 months old at minimum) you will suceed only in fouling their … When ingested, a rabbit will need immediate treatment, which involves surgery. But a once a week treat of spinach will be fine for Jeff. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true";
It’s a delicate system that can easily be disrupted by excess sugars & starches causing bloating, constipation or out of whack gastrointestinal bacterial growth. Past 24 hours I have been adding in little nibbles of romaine lettuce and tiny thin slices of carrots with the hay. Tomatoes and peppers themselves are fine to feed in small amounts. It’s on the Petsial site. All parts of rhubarb & rhubarb plants should be avoided. The sweet treat can be poisonous to rabbits and should never be fed to them. This diet is based on alfalfa pellets and forage. When you are sure that the mother bunny is not interested in feeding the litter, then you will need to take in charge. Never give chocolate as it is toxic to rabbits. Jeff. There are foods that you should NEVER feed to your rabbit. Right because maintaining a healthy pet rabbit is not at all difficult. However, rabbits do not have padded feet and wire floors can … He’s back paws and tail are all dirty. As a general rule, you shouldn't feed your rabbit lettuce. Rabbits are the third most frequently abandoned animals in shelters. Rabbits generally won’t eat bulb flowers, astilbe, marigolds, snapdragons, primrose, and peonies. Monthly is easier to feed than weekly, because the older the fluffy, the easier it … , Hi just saying on a different website its said that u can feed a rabbit carrots and lettuce so now I am very confused? Thanks for the information. Are her nails ingrown? You should also feed them in small quantities and notice the animal’s reaction. Many people ask, what to feed baby rabbits 3 weeks old? Learn how your comment data is processed. I am not a veterinarian, just an animal owner & lover sharing my opinions and experiences. 13 Things You Can Do to Find Your Lost Dog or Cat, Online Resources for Finding Animal-Friendly Housing, “Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. They also offer no nutritional value for rabbits so it’s best to just avoid them. Their digestive tracts are not equipped to handle anything but a plant-based diet. Rabbit Mix And Pellets. Which vegetables can rabbits eat? Nuts and Seeds. Will Your Animal Companions Be Protected in a Fire, Hurricane, or Other Disaster? Tails Will Wag if Tyrann Mathieu Gets a Super Bowl Interception—Here’s Why! Rabbit Mix And Pellets . And if you don't know what to feed -look here -> Diet Toxic foods Iceberg lettuce Fish oil Avocado Grapes/Sultanas Chocolate Coffee Alcohol Garlic/Onion Corn High carbohydrate / Low fibre / High fat foods: Fruits (in minimal amounts… Eight toxins have been identified as being involved in mushroom poisoning: amanitin, gyromitrin, orellanine, … 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. Walnuts are high in fat, not fiber, which can cause your rabbit uncomfortable indigestion. Feed a minimum of 1 cup vegetables for each 4 lbs. Dairy  Milk & dairy products like yogurt, butter & ice cream can lead to a deadly case of enterotoxemia (a toxic overgrowth of harmful intestinal bacteria). Or that you should never lift a rabbit with just one hand under the stomach? Rabbits produce two types of poop: one is hard, dry waste pellets, and the other soft, moist droppings. Rhubarb Rhubarb leaves contain dangerously high levels of oxalic acid which can cause serious kidney damage leading to death. © All content, The Cape Coop, 2015-2020. Preparing milk for baby rabbits. Naturally rabbits feed on large quantities of hay/grass and a wide variety of wild weeds, herbs and bark. Currently trying to care for a displaced week old Eastern Cottontail. Purchase fresh hay from feed stores or some pet shops. They should not eat the leaves or stems. Then, they eat the bark of trees, leaves, and buds of the bushes. Other. However, I have fed them a lot of carrots and apple scut up, oops. Cranberries are quite acidic and contain small amounts of … Dental problems…. Lettuce contains lactucarium, which can give your rabbit diarrhea so bad that it becomes fatal. 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. It is not a good idea to feed your rabbits only one type of food. That is wonderful Spinach is ok in small amounts, occasionally. Some things I thought were obvious good choices turn out to be BAD. Feed the wild rabbits a smaller amount of carrots than the other vegetables. Current subscribers: You will continue to receive e-mail unless you explicitly opt out by clicking, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The more vegetables they have in their bowl, the more chewing … This is eye opening information. Rabbits will generally avoid plants that have a rough texture such as all pine trees, prickly plants, and smelly bushes. After seven weeks, an unlimited amount of pellets and hay is fine for baby bunnies. 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. 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. Need is to mimic the stance while feeding on their mother. Radishes, alfalfa, and rosemary are all great options. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart";
The creamy snack will do nothing for rabbits, except possibly give them a tummy ache. There are plenty of things that you should not be feeding your rabbit that might seem perfectly healthy. A rabbit's unique digestive system easily digests grass. Why are these plants not of interest to rabbits? By submitting this form, you are agreeing to our collection, storage, use, and disclosure of your personal info in accordance with our privacy policy as well as to receiving e-mails from us. So hay is good? With vegetables, DO NOT ever feed your rabbit lettuce. According to Small Pet Select, this fatty fruit can be deadly if ingested by a rabbit. Other common vegetables to avoid are Beans, Cabbage, Cauliflower, kale, Parsnips, Potato or Potato peelings, Rhubarb, Spinach, Swedes and Tomato leaves. Peas Not toxic, but high in sugar & phosphorus, they are not a great treat for bunny friends. What Not to Feed Rabbits. It’s OK to feed your rabbits a little fruit every now and again as a treat, but remember that it’s high in sugar and shouldn’t be part of their daily diet. You can hand feed rabbits quite well – once they have started to eat you can hold up the next sprig so it goes in like a never ending piece of spaghetti. 2  Treats sold in pet stores marketed for rabbits are generally unnecessary and in some cases could cause digestive problems due to their high carbohydrate or sugar content. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. Enjoy your new lil’ friend. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0";
Rabbit owners need to observe the mealtime behavior of the … Click here to learn more about caring for rabbit teeth. But he hasn’t showed any symptoms is this bad. 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/. There are some plants that they cannot eat or can eat only in limited quantities. 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. amzn_assoc_asins = "B0002DK8P2,B004TS2A9S,B003XV5E9U,B007JUX6FA,B06XXKWBCP,B01MZFIGIA,B0108KZB96,1603424563";
, Feeding your wool producing rabbits is not always as easy as going to your local…, Want to bake up some tasty treats for your favorite bunny? Etc. Like corn, nuts and seeds have hulls that can’t be digested by bunnies. Rabbits should never … Potatoes are high in carbohydrates and starch, both of which can cause issues for your bunny’s digestive system. 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). Chocolate is an absolute no-no for bunnies. Thanks so much, Sandra. Iceberg lettuce contains laudanum which can be harmful in large quantities. Commercially prepared mixes or compressed food pellets specifically designed for rabbits can be fed daily to supplement a rabbit's main diet of grass and hay. Are you feeding wild rabbits in your yard this winter? Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Meat & Eggs It may seem obvious as your rabbit is a herbivore, but it bears mentioning. 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Mixed grass hay or Timothy hay and alfalfa up the largest part of a correct diet not!