5 Healthy Vegetables That You Should Add In Your Rabbit Diet

 

5 Healthy Vegetables That You Should Add In Your Rabbit Diet

As I have said already, rabbits are vegetarians therefore they require a proper diet that they are able to digest easily. Even though hay should form the bulk of a rabbit’s diet, the fresh vegetables supply your rabbit with the vitamins, minerals and water to keep it in perfect health.

Rabbits can’t eat all vegetables, though. 

In this article, we will discuss the top 5 safe healthy vegetables you can feed your rabbit, and tips to maximize nutrition.

1. Leafy Greens: Spinach

A great leafy green if you have a rabbit, spinach is something you should add to your diet. Iron, calcium, fiber and a whole bunch of vitamins A, C & K all in a great package. Fiber content is important from the fact that it helps a rabbit to keep the digestive system healthy.

 Also the high water content in spinach aids in hydration.

How to Serve Spinach:

Fresh raw spinach is always the best spinach when you are feeding spinach to your rabbit. In general, 1 to 2 leaves a few two to three times a week should be safe. Also, rotate it with other leafy greens so you don't overfeed. If you have never done it before, bring it in slowly, or if it's a new food into their diet, to avoid digestive upset.

Caution:

While spinach does contain oxalates, there will be some present, and if a large amount of spinach is consumed oxalates will bond with the calcium and cause urinary problems. If you limit spinach and don’t provide spinach daily you won’t build up oxalates in your rabbit’s system.

2. Kale

Another leafy green is keto cells as well. Rich in vitamin A, C and K it is also a good source of calcium and fiber. In rabbits, these provide healthy bones, teeth and healthy skin.

How to Serve Kale:

Kale can be eaten raw, but is best mixed with other leafy green ingredients such as romaine lettuce and cilantro. Try to give kale 2–3 times a week, starting off with a few leaves at a time. In fact, kale can be a good source of stimulation since rabbits enjoy the crunch, helping to keep their teeth trim.

Caution:

Like spinach, it’s high in calcium so you need to give it in moderation. Taking too high of a calcium dosage can lead to bladder stones in rabbits. Make sure to balance this with your low calcium greens like cilantro, or parsley.

3. Carrots (in Moderation)

Despite carrots being often depicted alongside rabbits in the media, you shouldn’t be providing your rabbit too many carrots as they contain a lot of sugar. Carrots have beta carotene – vitamin A in its classically processed form to ensure we have good visions and healthy skins. Not only are they rich in nutrients, but also natural sugars that if given in large quantities can contribute to weight gain.

How to Serve Carrots:

Give your rabbit a little carrot occasionally a few times a week rather than daily. Carrot, one or two small slices a few times a week’s enough. Remember to feed small portions, because rabbits can get addicted to sugary foods, and as a result, their food is likely to be ignored in favor of hay.

Caution:

If you overfeed your rabbits on carrots they can suffer from digestive issues such as obesity and dental problems. Limit their carrot intake and eat a balanced diet, otherwise lower sugar vegetables.

4. Bell Peppers

Red, yellow or orange bell peppers are a few vegetables that are better for a rabbit's diet.  Stable, practical, a tasty healthy snack with a low calorie and sugar content. They also contain vitamins A and C, essential in your rabbit’s body and skin and also helps keep your rabbit healthy.

How to Serve Bell Peppers:

That bell peppers should be served raw, having seeds and stems removed. You can eat a small slice of bell pepper a couple of time a week. They can be mixed with other veggies, to add variety to your rabbit’s meal. Sweet red or yellow peppers are a rabbit's favorite.

Caution:

You should stay away when it comes to offering your rabbit spicy or hot varieties of peppers (such as chili peppers). Stick to your sweet bell peppers and incorporate slowly, avoiding any digestive upset.

5. Parsley

Parsley is a really good herb that rabbits can take. Vitamin A, C and K as well as natural antioxidants in order to maintain your body in a good working condition.  Secondly, parsley filled with fiber helps digestion.

How to Serve Parsley:

Other leafy greens can be given as can fresh parsley. Feed your rabbit a small handful of parsley 2-3 times a week to a rotating diet of veggies. Most liked because its refreshing taste and aroma, can be paired with others such as basil, cilantro or spinach.

Caution:

Rabbits can safely eat parsley, but the best choice is to add this green feed alongside other signature greens. Like all calcium rich vegetables, do not feed it excessively in light of the bladder stone risk.

Other Vegetables to Consider

While the above five vegetables are some of the best for your rabbit, there are other options that can also be safely included in their diet:

Broccoli: Contains plenty of fiber but some rabbits get gassy from it, so feed sparingly.

Cucumber: Not very nutrient dense, but a hydrating snack.

Cabbage: Vitamins rich, can also be bloating on overfed.

Vegetables to Avoid

Some vegetables you should avoid completely because they are bad for your rabbit’s health. These include:

Onions and Garlic: Gastrointestinal upset and even toxicity.

Potatoes: That's too high in starch that rabbits can't digest properly.

Tomatoes (in excess): Although the flesh itself is safe, the leaves and stems are toxic.

Introducing New Vegetables Safe Way.

But you should never add new vegetables to a rabbit’s diet without introducing them gradually. When you begin, start with small amounts and watch your rabbit for upset of the digestive system (diarrhea, change of appetite). If the new food seems to go down well with your rabbit you can slowly increase the portion size over time.

Tips for a Balanced Rabbit Diet

A good balanced diet for a rabbit is one that a rabbit should have. Your rabbit won't get enough fiber in their digestive system if you just can’t offer your rabbit a steady supply of high quality vegetables and high quality hay.

 All times should also have fresh water available. Changing the vegetables you give your rabbit's diet will keep him from over eating any one nutrient, and will give him a variety of nutrition.

FAQs

Can you give rabbits vegetables everyday?

Yes, rabbits can eat vegetables every day. But you have to provide a variety and moderate serving sizes to prevent adding overkill to the calcium or sugar.

What are and what aren’t the best vegetables for my rabbit?

All onions, garlic and potatoes can be harmful to your rabbit.

What do you store vegetables for rabbits with?

Chopped vegetables can be wrapped, stored in airtight containers in the fridge for longer. 

Feed only once you’ve washed them thoroughly.

Exactly how often should new vegetables be introduced to their diet?

But introduce a new vegetable once a week or so, gradually and watch for reactions.

What vegetables can a baby rabbit eat as well?

Rabbits are good for veggies but the baby rabbits have weaker stomachs and it should not be given till it is 12 weeks of age.

Does it mean that I am required to chop vegetables in advance and wash them before even offering them to the rabbit?

Yes, you are right, since with most vegetables that you may want to feed your bunny, you always have to wash off other pesticides, dirt and chemicals.

Conclusion

This is the correct amount of vegetables your rabbit requires to serve the right balanced diet. Spinach, kale, carrots, bell peppers and parsley are on the healer vegetable list. However, for the kind of vegetable replacement you just start with a small portion to avoid causing any kind of discomfort to your rabbit. And with a balanced diet your rabbit will live long and healthy.