When it comes to having a pet at home many times we forget that each animal species has its own nutritional requirements, in addition to one or several food groups that are beneficial, compared to others that are strictly prohibited for them because they are counterproductive.
This happens with dogs, cats and even rabbits. Rabbits feed on plants in the wild, so pretending to feed them another type of food at home can be harmful, no matter how much you like that food. That is why our site presents you with this article about whether rabbits can eat bread or not
Is stale bread good for rabbits?
Surely someone has recommended to you or you have read that the rabbit needs a hard surface that it can gnaw to wear down its sharp teeth, and that stale bread is ideal for this. However, this is a myth that is extremely harmful to your rabbit. Bread will not only do nothing to wear down your teeth, but it will also attract various he alth problems, including obesity and stomach upsets such as diarrhea, that could put your rabbit in danger of dying from dehydration.
If your furry companion has already suffered from diarrhea and you don't know how to act, don't miss our article on the causes and treatment of diarrhea in rabbits.
Why is bread bad for rabbits?
There are many types of animals and many ways to classify them, one of them is by the food they eat. In this way, there are omnivorous, carnivorous, herbivorous, insectivorous, hematophagous animals, and a long etcetera. In this classification, the rabbit is a herbivore, so it is better to consume herbs, vegetables and certain fruits, as well as some cereals. The bread may be delicious for you and your rabbit may even like it, but this does not mean that it is beneficial for its he alth.
It happens that the stomach of all animals is capable of processing certain substances, rejecting the presence of others, and this is what happens when you give bread to your rabbit: bread contains wheat, a cereal that It is certainly recommended for these small mammals, but it also contains starch, which will only cause disasters in the rodent's digestive system. This is so because the rabbit's body is unable to properly process a substance such as starch, so it ferments, causes diarrhea and affects the stomach, developing more serious problems such as ulcers. All this will quickly dehydrate the animal, causing it a lot of discomfort and may even be the reason for its death.
On the other hand, obesity in rabbits is a disorder that is directly related to bread intake, and the number of he alth complications that excess weight brings is no secret, regardless the species.
So, for all of the above reasons, we strongly recommend you not give your rabbit bread of any kind, or even cookies, cakes, sweets or other treats for human beings.
What is the solution?
If until now you have been feeding your rabbit bread to protect its teeth don't worry, there are better options for this. Hay is the most recommended for dental care of these animals, because not only does it fulfill its function, but it is also he althy and there is no problem in eating the amount they want.
Always keep a portion of fresh hay inside the cage so that the rabbit can chew as much as it wants and whenever it wants. Remember that the diet should consist of pelleted food especially for rabbits, which you will supplement with portions of fresh vegetables, sporadic pieces of fruit and plenty of water. However, if it has happened to you that your rabbit has begun to reject this food and, therefore, you have wondered if rabbits can eat bread, we recommend you consult the following article: "My rabbit does not eat hay".
Keep in mind which foods, even fresh ones, are beneficial for the little animal and which ones are harmful, in addition to observing the reactions of its body after having ingested a specific ingredient. To do this, don't miss our article on recommended fruits and vegetables for rabbits.
