Good Food For Bunnies
I get a lot, and I do mean a lot of questions here about what foods are good for bunnies. People have asked about everything from dog food to wood shavings. Here, for those who want to keep things simple and make sure that their rabbits are healthy, is a guide of healthy foods, and some ones you should avoid. This is not an exhaustive list, but is merely intended for those who do not know much about rabbit nutrition to get them on the right path.
LOTS
Hay and Water - If you feed a good quality hay and fresh water daily, your rabbit should remain in good health all its life even if you feed it nothing else. Like horses and cows, rabbits are herbivores, and can get all the nutrition they need from hay. The type of hay you feed is important though, and no, straw is not a substitute for hay. Many pet stores stock special Timothy Hay for rabbits, and this is a good choice as a staple diet.
Dandelion Leaves - Rabbits absolutely love dandelion leaves, and they are incredibly good for them too. You can pick dandelion leaves from your back yard or garden, just make sure that they haven't been sprayed with any chemicals before feeding them to your bunny.
Grass - If you have good grass that has not been sprayed with pesticide or fertilizer, this can be an excellent treat for rabbits. Bear in mind though that grass has a great deal more moisture in it than hay, and it can cause the soft droppings to become quite wet and sticky, making an awful mess everywhere, especially on long haired rabbits.
Pineapple Juice - Is quite good for avoiding hairballs in rabbits, and a teaspoon every few days is advised for long haired rabbits, especially those in moult.
SOME
Carrots - Rabbits will eat carrots, but in the wild, contrary to Beatrix Potter's stories, rabbits never eat carrots. Small amounts of carrot will be most appreciated by your bunny, but they are by no means a staple, and should not be fed in large amounts.
Apple - A little apple makes a yummy treat for rabbits, just make sure that it is only a little. Too much can make their poo very runny and unpleasant to clean up, and it can even stick to the fur.
NO
Lettuce - Some people say to leave this well alone, others say that darker lettuce is okay. Personally I don't think it is worth the risk. There are so many things to feed your bunnies that won't potentially kill them, why feed them something that could make them sick.
Dog Food - Rabbits will try to eat dry dog food, mostly because dry dog food tends to contain a great deal of cereal. Its something of an incitement on dog food, but that's another hub entirely. Do not let your rabbit eat dry dog food. Even if it can't tell that there is meat in there, there is, and rabbits cannot eat meat. If they do, they will get sick.
