A Guide to a Healthy Bunny Diet: What Do Rabbits Eat?

by Blog Contributor | April 13, 2024 | Pets | 0 Comments

^{Photo by Yona Dutchbunny on Unsplash}

What do rabbits eat, and what should you feed them? To start off, a healthy bunny diet requires a balanced diet of more than just carrots. 

Rabbits are adorable creatures that require special care and attention to maintain their health. One significant aspect of rabbit care is their diet, as rabbits have sensitive digestive tracts that can be easily upset. Hence, ensuring a healthy bunny diet for your furry friends is of the utmost importance to keep them happy.

Here is a list of foods that are best for rabbits:

Hay

Rabbits require a daily intake of high-quality hay, which constitutes a significant portion of their diet—usually around 80-90%. Hay provides long-stemmed fibers that are essential for their digestive system, helping to maintain a healthy gut and prevent digestive problems.

Vegetables

Providing your furry friend with a healthy bunny diet includes an assortment of fresh greens. Rabbits are herbivorous creatures, and they have a fondness for leafy green vegetables, herbs, and weeds. These nutritious foods should be washed thoroughly and offered to them daily in an adult-sized handful amount. 

Bunny Pellets

To ensure your rabbits receive the necessary nutrients and maintain a healthy diet, it is important to feed them a small portion of good-quality pellets or nuggets daily. These pellets should be composed of natural ingredients, high in fiber, and low in fat. 

Treats

You can use a portion of their daily greens, pellets, or nuggets as rewards during training. Occasional treats like carrots and apples are fine, but avoid feeding them any other treats.

Fresh water

Rabbits require a consistent and abundant source of fresh, clean water to ensure proper hydration. It is crucial to change the water supply daily to maintain its quality.

A Myth From Bugs Bunny: Rabbits’ Main Food is Carrots 

Bugs Bunny, the iconic cartoon character, has long been associated with carrots and is often portrayed munching on them in his cartoons. This imagery has led to the widespread belief that carrots should be a staple food for rabbits. 

However, recent research has revealed that this belief is actually a myth. In reality, rabbits require a varied and nutritionally balanced diet that includes hay, vegetables, and a small amount of fruit. 

Little Facts on Rabbit Diet

• It’s important to adjust your rabbits’ food to ensure that they maintain a healthy weight and are not overweight or underweight.
• The dietary requirements of rabbits vary depending on their age, lifestyle, and overall health. Young, pregnant, nursing or sick rabbits have varying needs, and it is recommended to consult a veterinarian for advice on appropriate diets.
• Rabbits have continuously growing teeth that require regular maintenance. Chewing is an essential activity for keeping their teeth healthy.
• Rabbits have a unique habit of consuming their own feces, which is known as coprophagy.

Common Foods You Should Not Feed Your Rabbit

• All human treats
• Processed foods (bread, pasta, etc.)
• Corn or corn-cob treats
• Cabbage
• Iceberg lettuce
• Chocolate
• Fruit seeds/pits
• Meat, eggs, dairy
• Potatoes
• Mushrooms
• Nuts
• Avocados

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your rabbits stay healthy, safe, and happy.

A Bunny Bonus Essential: Freckles Finds A Forever Home 

Freckles Finds A Forever Home by Renee’ Servello is a book about a little rabbit named Freckles. Her fur had patches of brown resembling bunny freckles, which explains her name. She initially resided in a bunny farm but yearned to find a forever home and leave the place. 

The Servello family, longing for a new addition, decided to adopt a real bunny. Their daughter Kelli, on a visit to the Bunny Farm, discovered an adorable miniature rabbit. She couldn’t resist bringing the little rabbit home to introduce to her parents. And as they laid eyes on the bunny, it was a moment of pure, unadulterated love.

Freckles Finds A Forever Home delves into the journey of Freckles, the rabbit, as she awaits new adventures with her new family and home. 

Embark with Freckles as she takes on many adventures in her new home by reading the book Freckles Finds A Forever Home by Renee’ Servello. You can grab your own copy by visiting the author’s website at https://www.reneeservello.com/.