However, though they do enjoy their vegetables, they prefer the leafy ones to the roots and bulbs. This means that if you handed them a carrot, they would most likely eat the tops and throw away the rest--which is the exact opposite of the way Bugs liked to do things.
The answer to the question “what can rabbits eat” is that they can eat a variety of plant foods. The biggest part of their diet should consist of hay and grass as this is the closest to what they would be eating in their natural habitat. Rabbits also thrive on wild flowers, clovers and weeds. They basically enjoy any green plant you might offer them.
When it comes to vegetables, green leafy ones are preferable to starchy vegetables. However, some green vegetables contain high amounts of oxalic acid and should be fed in moderation.
Caution: Though they would readily accept human foods such as bread, rice, potatoes and sweets, these foods are not suitable for rabbits and can cause them to become sick.
Variety and the Rabbit Diet
About 80 to 90 percent of the rabbit's diet should come from grass and hay. They need to have unlimited quantities of hay daily. The fiber in hay keeps their digestive tract moving, which is important to avoid blockages. The action of chewing hay helps to grind their teeth down.This is important because rabbit teeth never stop growing, which can cause abscesses and other painful conditions. Tooth overgrowth in rabbits can even cause problems with their eyes. Therefore, keeping them at a moderate size is essential to their health.
Foraging materials, such as dried leaves, twigs and flowers, can be mixed with their hay to make it more interesting. In the wild, they would be foraging through this type of material all day, so adding it to the mix will keep them busy.
Pellets provide fiber and uniform nutrition for rabbits. These pellets should only comprise a small portion of the rabbit's diet a day. A handful will do, there is no need to fill a bowl with these. In fact, if you find your rabbit reluctant to feed on hay or grass, it may be necessary to cut back on the number of pellets you feed it.
Green, leafy vegetables are favorite foods for rabbits. These should be fed to them by the cup full--about a cup for each four pounds of their body weight. Vegetables that are good for rabbits to eat daily include kale, carrot tops, cabbage, peas (leaves and pods), romaine lettuce, radish tops and spring greens.
Warning: Iceberg lettuce and light colored leaf lettuce can cause diarrhea in rabbits and should not be fed to them.
Suitable Treats For Rabbits
Nutritious treats for rabbits include fruit and non-leafy vegetables. While these items are nutritious, they are also high in sugars so they should not be a large part of the rabbit's diet. Chunks of pineapple, apples with the skins on (wash them well or cut the skins off if they are not organic), carrots and broccoli are all favorites for rabbits. If left to their own devices, rabbits would eat these all day. So it is important that you only bring them out when you want to reward them or when they really could use a little pick me up.Other special treats you can give your rabbit include herbs and other plants they would find growing in the wild. Dandelions are wonderful treats for rabbits, as are nettle and peppermint. You can give your rabbit a variety of fresh or dried herbs, but make sure that you do not give them any plants that would be poisonous for them.
Warning: While the occasional treat is OK, they should be limited to only once per day as they could disrupt the rabbit's digestive system. They can also lead to obesity and other health problems.
Other Rabbit Feeding Tips
While it can be tempting to buy the rabbit food mixes from the stores, these mixes often contain more sugary plant foods than are suitable for rabbits to eat. They might look appealing to humans, but do not provide the nutrition that rabbits need. This is especially true if you have more than one rabbit sharing food, as one might eat the part that it likes and the others might eat the part that they like. This selective eating might cause some to become malnourished over time if it continues.If you have not been feeding your rabbit hay, it may be reluctant to start eating it. In order to get your rabbit to come around to it, you may want to try a variety of types of hay. Another way to get reluctant rabbits to increase their intake of hay is to hide their treats and foraging material in the hay and make them look for them. While they are eating their treats, they are also eating the hay that they have to get through to find them.
Like other pets, rabbits should be given a good supply of clean water daily. Keeping their water in a ceramic bowl will encourage them to drink more of it and keep them from tipping it over.
Certain plants are poisonous to rabbits and should be avoided. These plants include, but are not limited to: amarylis, buttercup, deadly nightshade, elder, most evergreens, lily of the valley, any plants that grow from bulbs, oak leaves and potato tops.
Because rabbits are often not selective about what they eat, they may eat one of these plants and not know that it is not good for them. The pips and seeds of most fruits are poisonous as well. If you think your rabbit has eaten something that it should not have, take it to the veterinarian immediately.
An eating habit of rabbits that people, of course, find distasteful is that of eating their own feces. It may seem gross to us, but it is an absolutely necessary part of their diet. The soft feces that rabbits let out as soon as they finish eating are full of undigested plant material and are an important source of vitamin B12.
Warning: Any sudden changes to a rabbit's diet can cause upsets to their gastrointestinal tract. Introduce new foods slowly.
Chart of Foods Suitable for Rabbits
| Food Group | Amount Per Day | How Often | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hay and Grass | Unlimited | All day | These foods are high in fiber and vitamin A. They are important for keeping tooth growth in check. |
| Pellets | A handful | Once per day | A good source of nutrients and fiber; cut back if it interferes with their appetite for hay. |
| Green vegetables | One cup per four pounds of weight. | Throughout the day | Can be mixed in with hay. |
| Foraging material | Small Amounts | Once a day | Can be mixed with hay to keep rabbits busy and add variety to the diet. |
| Fruit and starchy vegetables | Up to 2 tablespoons | Once a day | Limit these treats to avoid obesity and digestive problems. |
| Water | Unlimited | Throughout the day |
- Hay and grass
- Pellets
- Fruit
- Carrots
- Cabbage
- Other
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