July is Adopt A Rescued Rabbit Month! Rabbits are great pets! They actually are fairly easy keepers, once you have the basics down. Like any other animal, they do need a good diet to thrive. A local Covington, GA vet lists some safe and unsafe options below.
The list of unsafe fruits and veggies includes avocado, bamboo shoots; dried, raw, lima, kidney, and soy beans; cabbage; chocolate; coffee; corn; dog/cat food; grains; meat; millet; nuts; garlic and onions; peas; potatoes, including peels; and seeds. Although they are often sold as bunny treats, yogurt drops should also be avoided: they’re very high in sugar, and may also cause enterotoxemia, a gastrointestinal issue. You’ll also want to avoid anything with a lot of sugars or carbs, such as bread, pasta, cereal, crackers, and cookies.
You’ll also need to be careful with plants. Although many herbs, such as basil, clover, dill, and parsley, are safe for rabbits, the vast majority of popular house plants are toxic to them.
Just like our other patients, rabbits love treats. Fruits are a favorite among bunnies. Floppy definitely has a sweet tooth! Small amounts of things like strawberries, melons, and bananas are fine. You can also offer certain leafy greens, such as kale, Swiss chard, collard greens, and escarole arugula, and dandelion greens. It’s worth noting that, despite the iconic image of Bugs Bunny snacking on carrots, carrots actually aren’t the best treat. You can offer them on occasion, but shouldn’t give them daily.
Hay should make up the biggest portion of Floppy’s diet. You’ll need to make sure your little buddy always has plenty of fresh hay available. This should specifically be grass hay, such as Timothy hay, orchard, or brome. Alfalfa is fine for young rabbits, but we don’t recommend it for adults, as it has too much calcium and protein for them.
Floppy can have pellets for breakfast and dinner. You’ll need to be careful with portion sizes. Even giving your furry buddy a little too much food can cause her to pack on extra weight. Overfeeding pellets can also lead to gastrointestinal issues. Choose a brand that offers high fiber content, and does not contain corn, seeds, or other fillers.
Do you have questions about your bunny’s health or care? Contact us, your local Covington, GA pet hospital, today!
