Rabbits are herbivorous animals so it is essential to include fruits and vegetables in their daily diet. These will provide you with vitamins and offer you a better state of he alth that will have a direct impact on your life expectancy.
For that same reason, it is essential to know thoroughly all the options that we can offer, thus enriching our rabbit's diet and discovering what foods you like best.
If you decide to continue reading our site, you will know most of the recommended fruits and vegetables for rabbits.
Vegetables for daily consumption
There are vegetables that the rabbit should consume daily, and others that should be restricted to 1 or 2 times a week at most. The vegetables of possible daily consumption are:
- Hay: This plant is basic in rabbit feeding. It allows you to have active intestinal transit, something essential in the nature of lagomorphs. The rabbit should always have fresh, quality hay at its disposal, regardless of its age or stage.
- Alfalfa: Very convenient for its fiber and protein content. It is also very suitable for rabbits that are weak or suffer from bone problems.
- Carrot leaves: The whole carrot is not recommended due to its excessive sugar content, however, you will love the leaves and they will look delicious.
- Radish leaves: As with carrots, radishes contain a lot of sugar, so it is advisable to offer them only the sheets.
- Escarole: Excellent for the liver and a good supply of B-type vitamins and minerals.
- Watercress: Satiating and purifying plant, perfect for rabbits suffering from obesity.
- Arugula: In addition to providing sodium, arugula contains glucosinate, an effective component used in the fight against cancer. It is also useful for eyesight and good blood regulation.
- Clover: In addition to delighting them, clover has various properties that can benefit our rabbit: it helps the digestive system, helps treat degenerative problems such as arthritis and is also useful for rabbits that may suffer from respiratory problems.
- Lechuga: Hydrates a lot; but the Iceberg variety is not recommended at all for the rabbit's diet as it can lead to severe diarrhoea.
Foods to eat 1 or 2 times a week
Vegetables
There are vegetables that are suitable for rabbit feeding, but their intake should be restricted to 1 or 2 times a week. They are as follows:
- Artichoke
- Chard
- Celery
- Basil
- Eggplant
- Broccoli
- Fresh bean sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Cilantro
- Spinach
- Dill
- Tarragon
- Fennel Leaves
- Peppermint
- Lombarda
- Mint
- Oregano
- Cucumber
- Red pepper
- Green pepper
- Yellow pepper
- Rosemary
- Cabbage
- Thyme
- Tomatoes
- Whole Carrot
Fruits
Because of its high sugar content rabbits will only eat some fruit 1 or 2 times a week. Suitable fruits are:
- Cherries
- Kiwis
- Peach
- Strawberries
- Mandarin
- Orange
- Apple
- Mango
- Melon (they love the skin)
- Pineapple
- Papaya
- Pear
- Watermelon (they like the skin)
Utility as a treat
Vegetables, as well as fruits that are restricted to 1 or 2 occasions per week, can also be used in tiny pieces as sweets to reward the rabbit when gets an achievement.
With perseverance a young rabbit can be trained to defecate in a specific place in the home or garden. If training is not attempted and left loose on the floor, it will spread its droppings everywhere. Therefore, let's be sensible and try to educate our rabbits in some basic rules by rewarding them with appetizing vegetable treats.
Food for rabbits
The basis of the rabbit's diet should consist of a specific feed that covers all its needs. On this basis of feed for rabbits, they can be supplemented with fresh vegetables and fruits.
There are many different feeds for rabbits on the market, but not all of them are well balanced. Below we will show some scales of minimum requirements in the most important parameters of the composition of commercial feed.
- Fiber. Very important matter for the correct digestion of rabbits. Minimum amount 18%.
- Proteins. A protein level of 12 to 14% is necessary for adult rabbits. Young rabbits (less than 5 months) need up to 16% to ensure good growth and development.
- Vegetable fats. They must be present from 2, 5 to 5%.
- Calcium. This element must form part of the feed between 0.5 and 1%.
- Match. A correct composition of said element must be between 0.4 to 0.8%.
- Vitamins. Vitamin A: 10,000 IU/kg; Vitamin D: 10,000 IU/kg; Vitamin E: 50 Ul/Kg.
Herbal ingredients (hay, dandelion, alfalfa, etc,), should predominate in the composition of the feed over cereals (oats, wheat, corn), since grasses are more appropriate for the diet of rabbits than cereals.
