Rabbits have gained popularity as pets in recent years. Their small size, easy care and adorable appearance make them a good companion, even for children.
Like any other pet, rabbits require a quality diet to be he althy. You should not only give a diet according to breed, age and size, but also be careful to avoid plants that are toxic to rabbitsour site presents a list of ingredients not recommended for rabbits, as well as recommendations on their diet and habits. Keep reading!
Characteristics of rabbits
Rabbits measure between 30 and 50 cm and reach a maximum of 3 kilos. They have long ears that allow them to be identified and give them a cute appearance. Its coloration is very diverse, so it is possible to find specimens with black, brown, white, gold, gray, spotted, mottled, striped, etc. coats. They are usually furry, with a rounded tail and a small, pink nose.
Rabbits can be found almost everywhere in the world. A wide variety of species is native to the European continent, while others are found in Africa and some in Australia. They live in grasslands, plains, savannahs and areas with abundant vegetation They live in burrows that they build themselves and usually share the space with a significant number of members, since they are very social animals.
Rabbits have an impressive ability to reproduce, in fact, they are one of the terrestrial species with the largest number of specimens in the world. With only four months of life, females reach sexual maturity, while males do so at six. The gestation of a rabbit lasts from one to two months, after which up to 17 offspring are born in a single birth. However, the average is 9 pups per birth. In about 20 days, the hatchlings are ready to leave the nest.
Now, what do rabbits eat? Which plants are good and which plants are dangerous for rabbits? Find out below!
Feeding the rabbits
The main food that domestic rabbits should eat is hay, but this must be supplemented with fruits and vegetables so that your body gets all the necessary nutrients, as well as a small amount of feed. Be sure to wash fresh food very well, as it has likely been sprayed with pesticides during harvest, which can mean serious he alth problems if your rabbit ingests it.
In the following list you will find some plants and fruits that are beneficial for your rabbit:
- Dandelion
- Carrot
- Wild Mallow
- Celery
- Zucchini
- Apple
- Peppermint
- Clover
- Cucumber
- Peach
- Strawberry
- Chamomile
- Lettuce
- Chickweed
- Lock
- Grape
- Pumpkin
- Spinach
- Turnip
- Watercress
- Mango
- Cantaloupe
If you want to introduce a new food to your rabbit's diet, it is always advisable to do so gradually. Foods such as grass and flowers should be mixed with the hay to prevent the rabbit from developing selectivity towards any food. By following these recommendations, you will be offering a balanced diet.
Contrary to popular belief, not all foods of plant origin are recommended for these mammals, there are some plants that are toxic to rabbits that you should avoid.
The most dangerous plants for rabbits
There are some plants and plant foods that are really dangerous for your rabbits. These are some of them:
- Avocado: you should never include avocado in your rabbit's diet. Even eating it once, the result could be deadly, since it contains persin, a component that causes respiratory problems in these small mammals. It should be noted that persin is found mainly in the bone and shell, however, when in contact with the pulp it can produce symptoms of intoxication in rabbits.
- Iceberg lettuce – Lettuce is one of the first foods that comes to mind when you think of rabbit food, but the variety iceberg is very dangerous for them. The reason? Contains lactucarium, a compound toxic to rabbits.
- Beetroot: Rabbits suffer from colic and stomach swelling after eating beetroot, so you should not include it in their diet.
- Rhubarb: Raw or fresh rhubarb can poison your rabbit and cause death within hours. This does not always happen, but it is better to avoid it. In addition, it prevents the correct absorption of calcium.
- Potato: Potatoes contain solanine, an alkaloid that is toxic to rabbits. In addition, it is a very heavy carbohydrate for them and causes stomach problems, so it is best to avoid it.
Discover more Forbidden foods for rabbits in this other article.
Other plants toxic to rabbits
There are a wide variety of plants that can do a lot of harm to rabbits. In addition, some of them can be found almost anywhere, such as inside your house or in the garden. You must be attentive to the food that you provide to your pet to avoid giving it one of these harmful plants for rabbits.
The list of plants toxic to rabbits is as follows:
- Neguilla
- Challota
- Onion
- Garlic
- Chive
- Bear's Garlic
- Pink Lily
- Scarlet Pimpernel
- Columbines
- Milkweed
- Belladonna
- Devil's Pickle
- Tuberous Begonia
- Angel Trumpets
- Rattan
- Hemp
- Zorrillo epazote
- Water Hemlock
- Wild Saffron
- Larkspur
- Lily of the valley
- Wig Tree
- Cyclamen
- Black broom
- Dahlia
- Stramonium
- Hollywoods
- Bird from paradise
- Azalea
- Sweet potato
- Eggplant
- Buxaceae
- Creek
- Jerusalem Cherry
- Carnation
- Virginia Creeper
- Asparagus
- Eucalyptus
- Geranium
- Glycines
- Morning Glory
- Sweet Pea
- Ivy
- Poison Ivy
- Iris
- Hyacinth
- Lantana
- Privet
- Lupine
- Daisy flower
- Mustard
- Mistletoe
- Daffodil
- Good night
- Elephant ear
- Orchid
- Peony
- Licorice
- Robinia
- Rhododendrons
- Rhubarb
- Tobacco
- Tansy
- Yew
- Tulip
- Bloodroot
- Elder
- Solanaceae
What to do if your rabbit gets poisoned?
If you suspect that your rabbit has been poisoned, you should go immediately to your nearest veterinarian. There are signs that can confirm that the animal has been intoxicated:
- Diarrhea
- Hemorrhage
- Ulcers
- Mouth Sores
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Twitching
- Tremors
- Tearing
- Respiratory difficulties
- Rash on the skin
While you go to the emergency room, you can give him a tiny portion of activated charcoal to absorb the toxic compounds.
