Myth #3 - Rabbits eat lettuce Some lettuce is 'worse' than others - light-coloured varieties are high in water and have very little nutritional value, so are not recommended. You can feed darker, more leafy and fibrous varieties (e.g. romaine lettuce) to your rabbit, as these are higher in fibre and actual nutrients.
Iceberg Lettuce
This may come as a shock, but you should avoid feeding your rabbit light-colored lettuce, including iceberg, as it can contain lactucarium, a chemical that can be harmful to your bunny's health if ingested. Iceberg lettuce also contains mostly water and will add little to no nutrition to a diet.
You can feed your pet rabbit darker and leafier types of lettuce. This includes cos (aka. romaine), loose leaf and butterhead lettuce. These contain more nutritional value including vitamins A, C, K and fibre.
Generally speaking, suitable greens for every day feeding is lettuce (any kind EXCEPT iceberg - no nutrients) and herbs, which includes parsley, cilantro, dill, basil, etc. The amount is approximately 2 cups of veggies per 6lbs of rabbit (this can be split into two feedings).
Particularly good vegetables include the dark leafy greens like romaine lettuce, bok choy, mustard greens, carrot tops, cilantro, watercress, basil, kohlrabi, beet greens, broccoli greens, and cilantro.
Avoid foods high in sugar and simple carbohydrates, such as grains, nuts, seeds, corn, beans, peas, breads, biscuits, sweets, sugar, breakfast cereals, or chocolate. There are a number of garden plants that are toxic to rabbits (see Table One).
Myth #3 - Rabbits eat lettuce
Rabbits shouldn't eat some lettuces (such as iceberg), as they contain lactucarium, which can be harmful in large quantities. Some lettuce is 'worse' than others - light-coloured varieties are high in water and have very little nutritional value, so are not recommended.
Do not give broccoli to rabbits. It will give them painful gas. Never give your rabbit kale or spinach. Kale and spinach can cause health problems over time, due to the high amount of oxalates and goitrogens.
“A small acorn-size amount of seedless tomato per day is perfectly fine for a rabbit older than 12 weeks of age,” Henson said. So in general, tomatoes are an OK fruit to share with your rabbit, just as long as it's a small amount and the flesh part of a seedless tomato only.
What can rabbits not eat? These foods are poisonous for your rabbit and could make her ill: Potatoes, daffodils, tulips, rhubarb, lillies, mushrooms, avocado, broad beans, sweet peas, buttercup, kidney beans, jasmine, foxglove and iceberg lettuce.
Fresh Hay (or grass)
This is the most important of a rabbit's diet. Young bunnies should be exposed to hay as soon as they can eat on their own. Mixed grass (timothy, meadow, oat, rye, barley or Bermuda grasses) hay is lower in calcium and calories. Alfalfa (and clover, peas, beans or peanut) is not recommended.
High in sugar, apples should only be fed to rabbits as a treat. Also high in sugar, it's safe for rabbits to eat bananas occasionally. Rabbits have a sweet tooth, so grapes are great as a treat.
Meat, Eggs, Dairy
Though this likely will not come as a surprise, it is worth mentioning that rabbits, as herbivores, should never be offered meat, eggs, or dairy.
Lettuce contains a chemical which has an effect on rabbits similar to opium, experts have revealed, which can make them lethargic and give them a euphoric high.
So, can rabbits eat strawberries? Strawberries are non-toxic and fed in very small quantities are unlikely to cause harm. However, there are plenty of veggie treats that are a more suitable choice, so save the strawberries for yourself and reach for more bunny-friendly options for your pet's daily portion of fresh veg.
You can offer fruits in small amounts because that fructose can quickly pile on the pounds! Can rabbits eat apples? Yes! They also eat pineapples, pears, plums, bananas, and watermelons.
Rabbits can eat celery; in fact, it is a delicious snack and part of a balanced diet. In addition to grass or hay, rabbits also need access to fresh produce, such as leafy vegetables or root vegetables. Celery actually fits both of these categories.
Grapes aren't toxic to rabbits, and you can feed them to your rabbit occasionally. “Grapes contain a small amount of fiber, B vitamins and vitamin K, which may be beneficial to rabbits,” Dr. Burch told The Dodo. The fiber and water content of grapes can help your rabbit's digestion.
The RSPCA Victoria states that rabbits should not be fed any pet cereals, breakfast cereals, grains, seeds, nuts, corn, bread, biscuits or beans. When given uncontrollably, such foods can be toxic to rabbits.
You should never feed your rabbit dairy products. They are not built to consume or digest lactose, which is found in dairy products. Because of this, even a small amount in their diet can make them rather unwell, with problems such as bunny diarrhea and other gastrointestinal complications.
The Answer Is Yes! Rabbits can indeed enjoy watermelon as a treat. This juicy fruit can be a delicious and hydrating addition to their diet when offered in moderation. Watermelon contains high water content, which can help keep rabbits hydrated, especially during hot weather.
Hay: The staple of a rabbit's diet
As grazing animals, rabbits need to have an unlimited supply of fresh hay daily. You'll want to feed your rabbit grass hays. Good types of grass hay for bunnies are timothy, orchard grass, brome and oat hay.
You can include arugula, basil, bok choy, broccoli leaves, carrot tops, celery, clover, collard greens, dandelion leaves, dill, endive, kale in small quantities, romaine and dark leaf lettuce, mint, mustard greens, parsley, and watercress.
Onions, garlic, marigolds, lavender, catnip-many plants are credited with being deterrents to rabbits. What they all have in common is a strong scent.