Like any other animal, rabbits will really enjoy eating treats. In addition to serving to strengthen our bond with them, they allow us to encourage positive behaviors, teach them some commands, entertain them and introduce other nutrients into their diet. But, given the enormous variety of prizes, it is not surprising that caretakers have doubts when choosing the best prizes for rabbits
In this article on our site we review the most suitable options for store-bought or homemade treats. Likewise, we explain how to correctly reward a rabbit, don't miss it!
Types of treats for rabbits
A little search, in the market we will find a wide variety of prize options for rabbits. Basically it is about herbs, vegetables and fruits presented in different formats or snacks for rabbits, which are easy to give, handle and store, as well as attractive for the animal. Starting with the options for sale, the best rabbit treats include:
- Logs of different materials that can be bitten and eaten.
- Cookies with different types of ingredients and shapes, for example, bites, donuts or filled cookies.
- Hay in various shapes, for example bell-shaped, rope-shaped, bucket-shaped or ball-shaped, which can also be found with different fillings. Find out how to choose the best hay for your rabbit in this other article.
- Barritas with various ingredients.
- Vegetable and fruit chips or with mixtures that include cereals.
- Cereal or legume flakes.
- Roots of different plants and herbs.
How to choose the best treats for rabbits?
The problem with the prizes that we have mentioned and that are easily for sale is that many do not have as he althy a composition as they should. That is why it is essential that, before opting for one or the other, we carefully read the list of ingredients For example, some contain sugar, a product that should never be be present in the diet of rabbits. Among other problems, it is related to bacterial overgrowth in the digestive system. Given how delicate this system is in rabbits, the consequences can be fatal.
Another point to consider when selecting the best prizes is that they will involve the introduction of variety in food. For this reason, you can look for ingredients other than those that make up the rabbit's usual diet. In addition, as they also serve as a stimulus and environmental enrichment, selecting those that can be manipulated as toys is a plus for the rabbit, as it enjoys, feeds and entertains itself.
In any case, we can choose a few different ones and try which ones our rabbit likes the most, since each animal will have its own preferences. In other words, the best prize will be the one that the rabbit prefers, within the he althy options that we put at its disposal.
How to make homemade treats for rabbits?
The best treats for baby or adult rabbits don't have to be bought. Luckily, there are a lot of foods that work as treats, they are usually present in the pantry of any home and hardly require preparation for the rabbit to enjoy them.
Thus, there are treats for rabbits as natural and simple as simple pieces of fruit. The following are suitable:
- apricot
- blueberry
- cherry
- plum
- raspberry
- apple
- peach
- strawberry
- cantaloupe
- pear
- pineapple
- watermelon
- banana
The following foods can also serve as a reward:
- almonds
- walnuts
- sunflower or pumpkin seeds
- cereals such as oatmeal or barley
- legumes such as peas or pods
All these foods should always be offered raw and without s alt or sugar.
In the same way, the following vegetables and vegetables: are good treats for rabbits
- carrot
- broccoli
- pepper
- cucumber
- zucchini
- herbs, aromatic or not
Within the herbs, we find basil, coriander, dill, mint, fennel, chamomile, lemon balm, mint, oregano, rosemary, thyme, clove lion or nettle.
Another homemade treat that is highly appreciated by some rabbits are branches, which can be from fruit trees, such as apple, orange or pear tree, or many others, such as poplar or willow. Even easier is to offer them a piece of wood, as long as it has not received any treatment. An example is that of pine. It must be remembered that rabbits like to nibble and it is recommended that they do so because it contributes to the wear of their teeth, which are always constantly growing. Hence, wood is a good prize for them.
Although in our pantry it is easy to find other foods that rabbits may like very much, they should not be given food for dogs or cats, cooked foods, meat or fish, dairy products, fruits in syrup, chocolates, avocados, potatoes, leeks, beets, olives or mineral stones that are recommended for other animals.
In this other article you will find a list of prohibited foods for rabbits.
How to treat a rabbit?
Even the best rabbit treats can turn harmful if not offered properly. First of all, we must never lose sight of the fact that, even if we introduce treats into the diet, these cannot unbalance the menu, which in this species is based on hay, in the highest percentage, fresh foods, especially leafy vegetables, and feed specially formulated for rabbits. In the article about what rabbits eat you will find all this detailed information.
Therefore, prize amounts must be minimal. For example, half an almond, a pipe or a daily tablespoon of fruit per kg in rabbits at their ideal weight, unless the fruit is offered dried. In that case, the amount should be reduced by about a third. In any case, it is necessary to adjust the dose according to the weight of the rabbit and if it has extra kilos or is obese, it will be necessary to eliminate, at least, the heaviest prizes caloric. If we go too far, not only can there be overweight, but also digestive problems. Also, if it is a new ingredient, you have to give a small amount and wait to see how it feels before offering it more times or in larger quantities. Fruits and vegetables, if the origin is reliable, can be offered with skin, but always well washed and dried.
Rewards can be used, in addition to increasing the variety of nutrients and stimuli, as an incentive to repeat desired behaviors or to learn certain commands. But if we want the rabbit to understand why he is being congratulated, we have to give him the prize just at the moment when he acts as we wish. Lastly, if the rabbit is underweight, treats can also be used to help it gain weight, although in this case it is best to follow the instructions of the veterinarian.
