A Rabbits' Diet

You go to open your fridge and see you are out of your rabbit's favorite treats. You have a few other fruits and vegetables you can offer. Which ones can a rabbit eat? In this post, I will walk you through an extensive list of bunny safe human foods along with plants, herbs, flowers, and more! If you have not already check out my post on Bunny Safe Chewing Materials. (Click Here)

Vegetables:

What rabbit does not love their veggies? Vegetables make up a good sized portion of your rabbits diet. Rabbits should be fed vegetables daily along with unlimited amounts of hay and clear water. Below are listed veggies safe for your fluffy pale. I have placed a  * Star next to vegetables that should be limit for high sugar or gas creation.

•    Artichoke leaves

• Asparagus

• Baby Sweet corn ( not full-size ones)

•   Beetroot *

• Broccoli (and its leaves) *

• Brussel Sprouts (leaves and sprouts) *

• Cabbage *

• Cauliflower (and the leaves)

• Celeriac

• Celery leaves

• Chicory

• Courgette (and flowers)

• Fennel

• Green beans

• Kohlrabi

• Peas (including the leaves and pods)

• Peppers (red, green and yellow)

• Pumpkin (no seeds)

• Arugula

• Spring Greens

• Squash (e.g. Butternut)

• Swede

• Turnip *

• Watercress

• Alfalfa, radish, and clover sprouts

•  Beet greens (tops)

• Bok choy

• Broccoli ( leaves/stems)

•  Brussels sprouts

•  Carrots and carrot tops* limit high in sugar!

•  Collard greens

•  Cucumber (small amounts)*

•  Endive (small amounts)*

•  Green/Red/Yellow peppers

• Kale

•  Mustard greens

•   Pea pods (the flat kind)

• Romaine lettuce (NO iceberg or light colored leaf lettuce, the darker the better!)

• Spinach

Fruit:

Rabbits have a sweet tooth just like us. This can be the form of rabbits “junk food.” Lots of fruits are sweet and high in natural sugar content. Therefore they need to be limited. A recommendation is to feed you fluff 1-2 tablespoons (as a treat only) per rabbit size.

• Apple (no seeds or cores)

• Apricot

• Banana ( a rabbit’s favorite!)

• Blackberries and leaves

• Blueberries

• Cherries (no pits)

• Grapes

• Kiwi

• Mango

• Melons

• Nectarines

• Papaya

• Peaches

• Pears

• Pineapple

• Plums

• Raspberries and Leaves

• Strawberries and leaves)

• Tomatoes (no leaves)

Grains:

Not many people know which types of grains are safe for rabbits to ingest. Sometimes it can be run to make rabbit treats out of these such grains. Later on, I will share some rabbit treat recipes highlighting these grains.

• Barley

• Timothy/grass hays such as meadow

• Oat

• Rye

• Bermunda

• Alfalfa (mainly for younger bunnies under 1 year of age or as a treat)

• Raw rolled oats

Herbs/Flowers/Plants:

Not many rabbit owners remember rabbits eat a bunch of different herbs, flowers and other plants in the wild. Even though your bunny is now domesticated, they love these tasty treats nonetheless. Next time, when taking your bunny to the park our in your back yard, allow them to munch on some exciting greens. Peter rabbit always loved to. Please see list below. Click Here to see list of toxic plants, flowers, and herbs to avoid by Save-A-Fluff. (Click Here)

• Basil

• Coriander/Cilantro

• Dill

• Lemon balm

• Mint (peppermint only)

• Parsley

• Oregano

• Rosemary

• Sage

• Tarragon

• Thyme

• Borage

• Calendula

• Camomile

• Caraway

• Chickweed

• Clover (leaves and flowers)

• Coltsfoot

• Comfrey

• Dandelion

• Goosegrass

• Lavender

• Lady’s Smock

• Lovage

• Mallow

• Nettle

• Nasturtium (leaves and flowers)

• Salad Burnet

• Shepherd’s purse

• Sow Thistle

• Plantain

• Yarrow

Hay and Pellets:

A rabbit should have access to unlimited amounts of hay daily. If you do not have storage for this amount. Then I recommend each rabbit should have a ball of hay the size of themselves each day. when the hay has run out, replace.

Pellets should be of high quality in fiber. A good rule of thumb is to buy a brand that has 18 percent or high fiber content. Feeding too many pellets can lead to obesity or prevent then from each the rest of their daily nutritional needs. An adult rabbit should be 1/4 cup of pellets per 6 LBS /2.72 KG. Smaller rabbits such as dwarf rabbits should be fed 1-2 tablespoons. 

Do not forget the water! Water is a must need to prevent a rabbit from becoming dehydrated. A rabbit needs fresh, clean water daily. I recommend having a bowl of water as a rabbit have better access to the amount they need as opposed to a water bottle.

Citations:

Kanin.org. (n.d.). Rabbit-safe herbs. Retrieved May 18, 2019, from https://kanin.org/rabbits_safe_herbs

Herbs, flowers and plants

Kruzer, A. (2019, May 05). Safe Wood and Other Plants for Rabbits. Retrieved May 17, 2019, from https://www.thesprucepets.com/safe-woods-and-plants-for-rabbits-1239351

Safe foods

House Rabbit Society. (n.d.). Rabbit Food. Retrieved May 18, 2019, from https://rabbit.org/faq-diet/

rabbits’ diet

Save a Fluff. (n.d.). Safe fruit, vegetables, herbs and plants suitable for rabbits. Retrieved May 18, 2019, from https://www.saveafluff.co.uk/rabbit-info/safe-foods-for-rabbits

Veggies

Vetwest animal Hospital. (n.d.). RABBITS - FEEDING AND NUTRITION. Retrieved May 18, 2019, from https://www.vetwest.com.au/pet-library/rabbits-feeding-and-nutrition

diet and fiber intact