Feeding Your Bunny 

Are you considering adopting a bunny? While Floppy may never be quite as popular as Fluffy and Fido, she certainly has some very devoted fans. There are roughly 2.2 million pet bunnies in the US. That means that about 1 percent of U.S. households. This is according to a 2022 survey conducted by American Pet Products Association (APPA). Bunnies are very charming, and they have some wonderful attributes. They’re really cute, don’t make much noise, and are really fun to watch. Of course, just like any other pet, they need proper nutrition to thrive. A local Deer Park, TX vet ‘hops’ into bunny diets in this article.

What Is The Best Thing To Feed A Bunny?

Hay is by far the most important part of Floppy’s diet. Your furry pal will need pretty much unlimited amounts of good grass hay, such as Timothy hay, Orchard hay, or Brome. Oat hay is also suitable, as are Wheaten, Pasture, Paddock, Meadow, and Ryegrass. Avoid alfalfa though, unless your Deer Park, TX vet specifically recommends it. You can also offer a mix, though you’d want to get specific recommendations from your vet. 

Be sure to store the hay properly, and make sure it hasn’t gotten moldy or dusty. It’s not a bad idea to put a hay rack in your pet’s cage. (This can also help with litter training.) 

Why Is Hay So Important To Rabbits?

Floppy needs lots of fiber. Bunnies’ digestive systems are specifically suited for eating wild roots and grasses. Rabbits are hindgut fermenters. Fiber is processed in the caecum, which is a small organ at the end of your pet’s intestinal tract. This is crucial to proper digestion, as without a good, high-quality fiber, your pet won’t get the nutrients she needs. The caecum extracts specific nutrients. These are excreted in a special type of pellet, called a cecotrope. Your pet will then eat it. This may sound gross, but it’s actually vital to rabbits’ health.

If your furry pal doesn’t get enough hay, she could become very, very ill. This can also cause bloating. These issues can be fatal, so this isn’t something to take lightly.

Fiber is also important for your pet’s dental health. Bunnies also have open-rooted teeth. Those little choppers are made for chomping on tough roots and plants. Those hard fibers constantly wear bunnies’ teeth down. Rabbits also chew hay in a specific way, which helps with dental care as well.  When chewing hay, Floppy will chew in circular motions. If she’s eating something softer, she may just chew up and down. This will cause dental issues, as her teeth won’t wear down properly.  Ask your vet for more detailed information. 

How Much Should Rabbits Eat?

As mentioned above, your furry pal will need lots of hay. This should be available at all times.

You can supplement this with commercial food and safe produce. As to the commercial food, you’ll want to get some specific advice on this from your vet, as your pet’s age, size, and health will factor in. 

Then there are the greens. As a general rule of thumb, most healthy adult rabbits would need about one to three cups of leafy greens daily.

Floppy can have small amounts of fruits and sweeter veggies, like carrots, but these should be considered a treat, and should be given in limited amounts.

What Foods Are Dangerous To Rabbits?

The list of dangerous foods for bunnies is actually quite long. It includes anything high in sugar or simple carbs, as well as many things that are considered unsafe for most pets, such as chocolate, caffeine, and xylitol.

Some of the things that aren’t safe for rabbits include grains, nuts, seeds, chocolate, corn, beans, peas, breads, biscuits, sweets, sugar, breakfast cereals, chaff, Corn, Legumes, cake, and anything high in salt, sugar, or fat. Ask your vet for specific advice.

Can Bunnies Eat Plants?

That depends on the plant! Floppy can have many common plants, such as clover, daisies, dandelions, and nettles, many of which are considered weeds.

A word to the wise; if you have a fenced yard, you may be able to let your rabbit out for some supervised playtime. However, you’ll need to be very careful. Rabbits can jump pretty high, so your furry friend could easily clear a four-foot fence. She’ll also be at risk from winged predators, as well as larger snakes. 

Plus, while there may be some safe plants in your yard, there may also be plenty of toxic ones. It’s best to err on the side of caution, and just pick or buy plants for your little buddy.

What Plants Are Dangerous To Rabbits?

While there are certainly many things your furry pal can munch on, there are also lots of plants that aren’t safe for her.

Some of the dangerous ones include the following:

• Nightshade
• Bulbed Plants, Such As Garlic, Onion, Daffodils, Irises, And Lilies
• Potato And Tomato Leaves And Stems
• Rhubarb
• Yew
• Hyacinth
• Rhododendron
• Azaleas
• Poppies
• Marijuana
• Foxglove
• Buttercups
• Honeysuckle
• Bluebells
• Hemlock

In addition, anything that has been treated with pesticides is unsafe. If you do forage for things, be very careful. Never give your pet anything found by the side of the road, as it could be contaminated.

What Sorts Of Veggies Can Rabbits Eat?

Greens also make up an important part of your bunny’s diet. You’ll want to offer a variety, and mix things up rather than give your pet the same things every day. You can give your furry pal her veggies all at once, or split them up into a few different daily portions. 

Here are some safe ones:

• Romaine Lettuce
• Sweet Bell Peppers
• Cucumber
• Watercress
• Fennel
• Spring Greens
• Swiss Chard
• Kale
• Wheatgrass
• Arugula
• Bok Choy
• Spinach**
• Dandelion
• Kale (All Types)
• Watercress
• Zucchini
• Celery
• Carrots (Treat Only) 

Some things should only be offered occasionally, and in small amounts. Broccoli and cauliflower, for instance, could make your pet a bit gassy. Cabbage parsnips, and Brussels sprouts should also be fed sparingly, if at all. Carrots, though technically a veggie, should be lumped in with fruit when it comes to bunny food, and offered as a treat only.  Spinach is another one to be careful with; it’s fine here and there, but should only be given a few times a week.

What Fruits Are Safe For Rabbits?

Floppy has a massive sweet tooth! Fruits are a great treat for rabbits. Just don’t overdo it: too much sugar is definitely not good for your cute pet. Some of the safe options include blueberries, apples (flesh only), bananas, or strawberries, kiwis, melons, peaches, pears, apricots, watermelon, and grapes. Cherries and apples are fine. Always wash produce carefully, and remove any seeds, pits, or pips.  

Can Bunnies Have Herbs?

Yes! If you want to grow your own, you can even give your pet some fresh leaves to nibble on. Some good options include Cilantro, parsley, basil, rosemary Sage, dill, mint (except for pennyroyal), parsley, and peppermint. Don’t offer anything that was sprayed with chemicals, though.

Is Lettuce Safe For Bunnies?

This is a common question. You may have heard that lettuce is dangerous … or that it’s fine. This somewhat depends on the type of lettuce. Romaine is usually fine. However, some types of lettuce contain lactucarium, which can cause severe diarrhea and dehydration. Iceberg lettuce also offers no nutrients, as it’s mostly water. Ask your vet for specifics.

Talk To Your Vet About Your Bunny Diet

At the end of the day, these are very general guidelines. It’s always best to talk to your vet, and get some specific advice. Ask about things like portion sizes, safe and unsafe treats, and feeding times.

Make An Appointment At Your Deer Park, TX Pet Clinic

Do you have questions or concerns about feeding your rabbit? Do you need to bring your pet in for an exam? Please feel free to contact us at any time. As your Deer Park, TX pet hospital, we strive to offer the best veterinary services around.