Content
- rabbit feed
- Plants and Vegetables a Rabbit Can Eat
- roots
- stems and leaves
- wild grasses
- Toxic plants for rabbits
- Symptoms of an Intoxicated Rabbit
If you plan to share your life with a rabbit or already welcome one of these sweet animals into your home, you should know that these furry ones, in addition to being friendly and affectionate, also have needs that, as a tutor, you must know and meet, as obviously your Alimentation.
In this PeritoAnimal article, we explain what the plants that rabbits can eat, as understanding how to feed your rabbit is essential for your little lagomorph to live happily and healthy.
rabbit feed
rabbits are animalsherbivores, meaning your diet is based entirely on plant foods. This diet varies depending on the needs they have at each stage of their lives, but the main source of food is the hay, which should be available to you unlimitedly, and the feed specific for rabbits depending on your pet's weight and age.
In addition, it is also recommended to supplement your rabbit's diet with fresh green leaf food, such as vegetables, in addition to other vegetables (which we will see below), in a timely manner so that your rabbit is healthy and enjoys the food you offer.
In the following video, we detail the rabbit's diet in its different stages of life:
Plants and Vegetables a Rabbit Can Eat
There is a wide variety of plants you can offer for your rabbit, whether they are obtained from the supermarket or wild plants, which you can grow in your garden or collect.
Within this wide range of possibilities, your rabbit will certainly love some of these vegetables, while others will prefer not to try them. Anyway, even though he likes one of these plants a lot, he should always avoid abuse, because, on the contrary, they can cause health problems.
In addition, the introduction of new foods should be progressive and mixed with others he is already used to.
Next, we invite you to read the following guide to the plants that rabbits can eat:
roots
It's no secret that rabbits love carrots, because in popular culture they have always been associated with them.
However, it is essential to know that roots, such as carrots, turnips and beets, are foods with a high sugar content, because, in addition to providing a lot of energy, they increase the risk of suffering from obesity, diseases associated with being overweight, cramps and stomach bloating.
Therefore, although rabbits can eat certain roots, it is best to offer a very small portion. You can offer them as a prize. In any case, it is healthier to avoid roots, as well as fruits, in the rabbit's daily diet.
stems and leaves
It is highly recommended to add stems and green leaves in your rabbit's diet daily and varied, as unlike fruits or roots that store all the sugar and must be given occasionally, these have a very low caloric contribution and are rich in fiber, which will benefit your hair's digestive health, also providing it with the nutrients that the body needs for proper functioning, such as vitamins and minerals.
Also, many of the vegetables you can give your rabbit are disposable parts that would normally be thrown away, as humans do not consume them because they are too fibrous or tough. For your rabbit, on the other hand, they will be very beneficial and he will love it.
Among the plants you can offer daily, we found:
- Root leaves (carrots, radishes, etc.).
- Escarole.
- Arugula.
- Lamb lettuce.
- Cress.
- Lettuce (never American type).
And the plants you can offer occasionally (1-2 times a week) are:
- celery.
- Broccoli.
- Endives.
- Chard.
- Spinach.
- Cauliflower.
- Artichoke.
- Savoy cabbage.
- Asparagus.
- Quickly
- Chicory.
There is also the possibility to offer your rabbit dehydrated food, but they must be given in small proportions mixed with fresh food. This is because, by dehydration, food reduces the amount of water and presents a higher concentration of nutrients, among which we highlight sugars. Therefore, dried fruits and vegetables contain more calories and are not recommended in excess.
wild grasses
The diet of a free-range rabbit consists essentially of grasses and weeds from fields, forests and mountains. This explains why your rabbit should ingest unlimited hay, usually fescue.
Now, a good initiative to enrich your rabbit's diet is to offer other varieties of grass, which you can buy in stores, collect or even cultivate yourself if you have a garden. In case of harvesting them from the field, look for respect the environment, so you should cut the plant without pulling it from the root so it can grow back, and don't destroy everything you see, as you should leave enough plants and flowers, so that next year it will regenerate.
You should take into account that the plants you collect are from contamination free areas, for example from car smoke, if you are near a place with traffic or pesticides, and washedbefore giving them to your rabbit, otherwise it may intoxicate you. Likewise, don't collect grass from parks and areas where other animals tend to urinate and defecate.
The plants you can offer your rabbit are:
- Alfalfa.
- Mint.
- Mint.
- Rosemary.
- Sage.
- Thyme.
- Fennel.
- Dill.
- Coriander.
- Parsley.
- Basil.
- Clover.
- Milkweed.
- Dandelion.
- Shepherd's bag.
- Thistle.
- Morugem.
- Bush leaves.
- Forest fruit leaves (such as blackberries, strawberries, raspberries...).
- Tarragon.
- Nettle.
- Mustard.
- Mauve.
- Tussilago.
However, it is important to highlight that the alfalfa is only recommended for rabbit under 6 months, as it contains a lot of calcium and, if they are adults, it can cause kidney stones.
In addition to these plants, you may also be interested in this other article about fruits and vegetables for rabbits.
Toxic plants for rabbits
Rabbits are very delicate animals, for which some plants are very harmful. That's why you should never give your rabbit a plant you're 100% sure it won't do any harm, because in everyday life you can find all kinds of things in parks, gardens and even in your own kitchen. toxic plants for your rabbit. Among the best known, we find:
- Avocado: this fruit is deadly to rabbits, as it contains a component called persin, found in greater concentration in the skin and stone. If your rabbit has minimal contact with this component, it can cause respiratory problems with fatal consequences.
- american lettuce: as we mentioned, lettuce is a food that can be fed to your rabbit without worries, always avoiding excess. However, there is a variety of this vegetable, the American, which contains a very toxic component for rabbits, the dairy.
- Rhubarb: this is a vegetable similar to chard, as they have a similar shape, but stands out for its striking red color, which we can predict as a danger sign, as it is also poisonous to your rabbit.
- Potatoes and sweet potatoes (including leaves): Potatoes and sweet potatoes are toxic tubers for your hairy because they contain solanine. This one, moreover, is very indigestible in raw form due to its high concentration of carbohydrates. For these reasons, there is absolutely no need to feed a rabbit with potatoes if we are to avoid problems.
- onion and leeks: these two vegetables (and similar) are very indigestible for rabbits, so it is advisable to avoid them at all costs, including the leaves. In the case of onions, its prolonged consumption causes anemia, as it reduces the concentration of red blood cells.
- Garlic: it is not especially recommended for your rabbit, as in addition to the bad smell, which will make you reject it, it is very indigestible and prolonged consumption can cause serious digestive problems. It should be noted that it is sometimes recommended as a dewormer, but it goes without saying that there are other, less harmful ways to deworm your rabbit that you can always consult with your veterinarian.
- Vegetables: we highlight these because they can also pose a risk to your rabbit's health and often cause confusion among caregivers. Vegetables such as beans, peas, etc. they are not very digestive and not advisable for your pet.
- Seeds and grains: although the vast majority are not toxic to rabbits, it should be noted that their diet is mainly composed of vegetables, such as leaves and stems. Grains, seeds and nuts, despite being of vegetable origin, are not suitable in large quantities, as they are foods that provide a lot of energy. Therefore, do not give your rabbit these foods, in addition to the cereals that your ration may contain (but always give the specific amount for him).
Then there are many plants that can be at your fingertips in parks and gardens, as they are used ornamentally or grow naturally and can be harmful to your rabbit:
- Nigela.
- Pumpkin.
- Onion.
- Garlic.
- Scallion.
- Bear garlic.
- Pink lily.
- Scarlet Pimpernel.
- Aquilegia.
- Milkweed.
- Belladonna.
- Devil's Cucumbers.
- Tuberous begonia.
- Angel Trumpets.
- Cane from India.
- Hemp.
- Santa Maria herb.
- Water hemlock.
- Crocus from the ground.
- Knight's Spur.
- Lily of the valley.
- Wigs tree.
- Cyclamen.
- Black broom.
- Dahlia.
- Datura.
- Holly.
- Paradise Bird.
- Azalea.
- Potato.
- Eggplant.
- Pussy.
- Calla.
- Cherry from Jerusalem.
- Clove.
- Virginia creeper.
- Asparagus.
- Eucalyptus.
- Geranium.
- Wisteria.
- Morning glory.
- Smelling pea.
- Ivy.
- Poison ivy.
- Iris.
- Hyacinth.
- Lantana.
- Privet.
- Lupine.
- Daisy.
- Mustard.
- Mistletoe.
- Narcissus.
- Good evening.
- Elephant ear.
- Orchid.
- Peony.
- Licorice.
- Robinia.
- Rhododendrons.
- Rhubarb.
- Tobacco.
- Tanaceto.
- Yew.
- Tulip.
- Bloodthirsty.
- Elderberry.
- Solanaceae.
For more information, you can refer to this other prohibited food for rabbits article.
Symptoms of an Intoxicated Rabbit
A food-intoxicated rabbit is never good news, so you should take him to the nearest vet as soon as possible, otherwise he may die.
If your rabbit has ingested a toxic food, you will easily notice it, as it will manifest one or more of the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea or, conversely, absence of urine and feces within 12 hours.
- Apathy, little or no physical activity.
- You haven't eaten or been drinking water for 12 hours (especially if you haven't had hay).
- Injury or sore in the mouth.
- Spasms, tremors or convulsions.
- Paralysis.
- Breathing difficulties and/or mucus.
- Lachrymation.
- Bleeding or bruising.
- Ulcer.
- Irritations or skin rashes.
To find out if your rabbit has extremely serious symptoms of intoxication, we leave this video on the 5 signs that the rabbit will die. However, at PeritoAnimal we recommend never waiting for our bunny to show such alarming symptoms to go to the vet, since, as we can see, sometimes the consequences can be fatal.
If you want to read more articles similar to Plants that rabbits can eat, we recommend that you enter our Balanced Diets section.