Humans naturally bond over food, using it to express love and celebrate together. It’s only natural for rabbit owners to want to share this experience with their furry companions. Sharing food seems like a perfect way to connect! But can rabbits safely eat the same foods we do?
Sometimes, yes, but it’s crucial to remember that a rabbit’s digestive system is significantly different from our own. Just because a food is healthy for humans doesn’t automatically make it safe or healthy for a rabbit.
Fortunately, there are many delicious and nutritious foods that rabbits can eat! So, as you open your heart and home to these adorable animals, you can also safely share certain foods with them, enriching your bond and their diet.
As dedicated rabbit caregivers, it’s essential to be informed about the “yes” list of foods for rabbits. These are foods that not only avoid digestive upset but also contribute to their overall health and well-being, allowing them (and you) to enjoy a thriving life together!
To Eat or Not To Eat: Understanding Rabbit Food
We all know that hay is the cornerstone of a rabbit’s diet. It’s the essential, always-available food that provides the fiber and nutrients they need for optimal health and happy “binkies” (those joyful rabbit jumps!).
However, sometimes it’s treats and fresh foods that bring extra excitement and encourage those delightful binkies! Sharing tasty food with your rabbit is a wonderful way to bond. But it can be confusing to know exactly what’s safe and beneficial for them.
Is there too much sugar in that? Will it be too filling and reduce their hay intake? Could this food cause stomach upset?
This confusion can take away the joy of offering your rabbit new and exciting foods! That’s why we’re here – to help you discover the best and safest foods that you and your rabbit can share, creating those special moments together, especially on weekends!
The Best Low-Sugar Vegetables Rabbits Can Eat
One important factor to consider when choosing vegetables for rabbits is oxalic acid. Some leafy green vegetables are naturally higher in oxalic acid. Excessive consumption of oxalic acid over time can potentially harm a rabbit’s kidneys.
Vegetables like spinach, parsley, beet greens, and sprouts contain higher levels of oxalic acid. While these can be given to your rabbit occasionally in small amounts, they shouldn’t be staple vegetables in their diet.
Here’s a list of excellent low-sugar and low-oxalic acid vegetables that should be top contenders for your rabbit’s fresh food choices:
- Lettuce (Romaine, Red Leaf, Green Leaf – avoid Iceberg)
- Kale
- Cabbage
- Bell peppers (not spicy)
- Carrot Tops
- Bok choy
- Brussels sprouts
- Turnip Greens
- Cucumber
- Endive
- Escarole
- Fennel
- Herbs: basil, cilantro, dill, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, thyme
- Watercress
- Wheatgrass
- Zucchini
- Arugula
- Spring greens
- Summer squash
- Dill leaves
Lettuce
When selecting lettuce for your rabbit, prioritize darker leaf varieties. The darker the leaves, the more nutrients they generally contain. Iceberg lettuce is not a nutritious choice and should be avoided as a primary lettuce option.
Nutrients in lettuce are concentrated in the colored leaves. Additionally, Iceberg lettuce contains lactucarium, which can be harmful to rabbits if consumed in large quantities. Romaine lettuce, red leaf lettuce, green leaf lettuce, and kale are much better, nutrient-rich choices.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables, including kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, bok choy, and arugula, are nutritional powerhouses packed with vitamins and minerals.
However, similar to how they can affect humans, too many cruciferous vegetables can cause bloating and gas in rabbits. It’s best to include these vegetables in rotation but offer them in moderation as part of a varied diet.
Rabbits must eat all their vegetables raw. While some of these vegetables might be delicious cooked for humans, always serve them raw to your bunny!
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers are sweeter than many other vegetables, but their sugar content is still relatively low, making them a safe and enjoyable treat for rabbits. Sharing a crunchy bell pepper snack with your rabbit can be a wonderful bonding experience.
It’s important to note that the leaves of pepper plants (and tomato plants) are toxic to rabbits and should be kept away from them. If you grow these in your garden, ensure your rabbit cannot access the plants.
The seeds and core of bell peppers don’t offer significant nutritional value for rabbits. Simply offer them the fleshy part of the pepper. Also, spicy peppers like jalapenos and chili peppers are definitely not suitable for rabbits and should be avoided entirely.
Carrot Tops
Despite the common image of rabbits eating carrots, the most nutritious part of the carrot for rabbits is actually the green, leafy tops! Carrot tops are low in sugar and carbohydrates but rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin C.
So, feel free to enjoy the carrot root yourself and offer the healthy, nutritious tops to your bunny!
Endive and Escarole
Endive, sometimes known as chicory, is a slightly bitter but nutritious green that can be a great addition to your salads – and your rabbit’s diet! If you haven’t tried it yourself, perhaps you and your bunny can explore a new food together.
Endive provides both you and your rabbit with beta-carotene, vitamin E, riboflavin, folate, and potassium. It also contains iron, calcium, and magnesium. Additionally, endive is rich in B vitamins, which are beneficial for your rabbit’s liver health.
Escarole is also part of the chicory family but has a milder, less bitter taste than endive. Add escarole to your list of greens to try offering your rabbit as well!
Watercress
Another excellent addition to your salad – and your rabbit’s! Watercress adds a peppery bite and a wealth of nutrients. It’s best enjoyed after removing the thickest stems.
Watercress is packed with vitamins A and K, potassium, calcium, beta-carotene, folate, iron, carotenoids, and magnesium. A salad with watercress truly becomes a multivitamin powerhouse!
Wheatgrass
You may have heard of people consuming wheatgrass as a powdered supplement or juice due to its concentrated nutritional value. It’s highly nutritious for rabbits too! While often consumed in processed forms by humans, rabbits can enjoy wheatgrass whole and raw.
Rabbits generally love wheatgrass. Despite its name, it’s not a grain but rather a grass, similar to hay. However, it doesn’t contain as much fiber as Timothy hay and doesn’t wear down their teeth as effectively.
Therefore, like all fresh foods, wheatgrass should not replace hay in a rabbit’s diet. Hay should always constitute at least 85% of your rabbit’s daily food intake.
Zucchini, Cucumbers, and Summer Squash
When it comes to zucchini, cucumbers, and summer squash, rabbits can safely eat the entire vegetable! While you shouldn’t give them a whole zucchini at once, you don’t need to peel them before offering a piece.
The skin of these vegetables is actually higher in fiber than the flesh, making it even more beneficial for their digestion. If you are someone who peels cucumbers, you’ve found a perfect way to share with your bunny – offer them the peel!
It’s crucial to thoroughly wash all vegetables before giving them to your rabbit. Pesticides can be harmful, so strive to clean their vegetables as thoroughly as possible.
Introduce New Foods Gradually
Whenever you introduce a new food to your rabbit, start with a small amount. If you’re offering cucumber for the first time, give them just a bite-sized piece.
Even though the foods listed are generally safe for rabbits, any sudden dietary change can disrupt your bunny’s delicate digestive system.
Some rabbits have more sensitive digestive systems than others. For instance, vegetables with high water content, like cucumbers, can cause diarrhea in some rabbits if eaten in large quantities.
Therefore, introduce new foods slowly and closely observe your rabbit to ensure they are tolerating the new food well and maintaining good health. You’ll soon discover their favorite safe foods that you can confidently offer them!
Can Rabbits Eat Dried Herbs?
You might use dried oregano or basil to season your own meals, and you can actually share these with your rabbit too! A small sprinkle of dried herbs on top of their hay can add delicious flavor and encourage hay consumption, just as it enhances your dishes.
To truly delight your rabbit, you can purchase specially formulated Herbal Blends designed for rabbits. These can be mixed into their hay pile or offered as treats. There’s a wide variety of beneficial herbs that rabbits can enjoy, many of which you might not typically keep in your kitchen.
With herbs, you don’t need to worry about excessive sugar content, making them a fantastic way to provide your rabbit with a variety of nutrients without digestive concerns! Many herbs even possess properties that can improve their digestion.
Can Rabbits Eat High Sugar Fruits and Vegetables?
Hopefully, your rabbit’s healthy eating habits will inspire you to incorporate more greens into your own diet! But you might be even more excited to share fruits with your bunny. Rabbits absolutely love fruit and can often smell it from across the room!
However, sugar content is a crucial consideration when choosing foods to share. Fruit should not be a daily offering for your rabbit, but small portions a few times a week are acceptable.
Limit higher-sugar fruits and vegetables to just 1-2 tablespoons per serving. Yes, vegetables too!
Carrots, while popularly associated with rabbits, are actually higher in sugar and should be treated more like fruit in terms of portion control. Bananas, strawberries, and apples are other popular fruit favorites among rabbits that should be given in limited amounts.
Hay Treats With a Touch of Fruit
One excellent way to give your rabbit a fruity treat without overdoing the sugar is by offering hay-based treats with a small amount of fruit, such as Healthy Snackers. These treats are primarily made of hay with a touch of fruit mixed in.
This provides them with plenty of fiber and satisfying crunch alongside a hint of fruit flavor. It’s a perfect way to excite their taste buds while still supporting their digestive health.
