Most rabbits love fresh vegetables and can and should be offered a balanced mix of different vegetables, herbs and greens every day. However, you need to know exactly what ends up in the bowl to avoid digestive problems and, in the worst case, poisoning. But which fresh foods can rabbits eat and which might even be poisonous? Those in a hurry can download our list of fresh rabbit foods here. For those who want to know more, we have summarized below some important information about fresh foods and what you need to keep in mind!
Do rabbits need fresh food?
The topic of «healthy rabbit nutrition» is always heated and passionate discussions arise. What is certain, however, is that fresh foods should not be missing from the diet of healthy rabbits. If you look at the relatives of our pets, wild rabbits, you will notice that they feed on a varied mixture of different herbs and grasses. Since the digestive tract of our pets does not differ much from that of wild animals, it is advisable to base our diet on these nutritional needs and offer our four-legged friends a balanced mix of fresh or green foods, i.e. components of green plants, every day. The mixture can be integrated with vegetables and rarely – as a whim – a bit of fruit.
Origin and food
Rabbits originally come from southwestern Europe and the Iberian Peninsula and are therefore evolutionarily adapted to the food available there. Only “fresh green” is not available here all year round due to the extreme summer heat. Animals should therefore always be offered hay all year round in addition to green fodder. It is sometimes argued that feeding hay can cause dental problems such as: B. it would promote jaw abscesses and therefore only fresh food should be fed. However, a link has not been scientifically proven and is unlikely when considering the original origins of the animals and the food available there. The information sheet according to § 21 of the Animal Protection Act also highlights the importance of hay and its ad libitum feeding.
General information on fresh food
The basic rule is: never give your pets anything that you are not 100% sure of what it is (for example if you collect it yourself in the garden) and if it is compatible. A list on the refrigerator with suitable vegetables and herbs helps with daily nutrition. Our traffic light fresh produce list provides information on the compatibility of numerous varieties.
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Of course there are always types of vegetables that are actually healthy, but are not well tolerated by some animals. If you notice this, you should obviously refrain from feeding this variety.
The respective fresh food ration should contain as many green plant parts as possible, i.e. so-called green food. These include, for example, wild herbs and herbs, tree leaves, and the “green” of vegetables such as carrot or radish leaves.
In general, green food is more important to rabbits than vegetables.
Feed slowly
In general, it is advisable to feed small pieces of any new type of fresh food first and see if your rabbits tolerate it. You can then increase the amount over time. Signs of intolerance include diarrhea or loose stools or a bloated stomach. In particular, young animals that are not yet accustomed to green food or animals that have only been fed dry food should be fed very slowly to gently get them used to it. Changes in food are always a big stress for rabbits. If you want to get your rabbits used to fresh food, a little patience is required. But it’s worth it, and your rabbits will thank you with health and vitality!
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Important: Rabbits that have not been fed fresh food must be introduced slowly, otherwise health problems can occur!
They should also slowly get used to the grass that your furry friends may eat outdoors. This process is called «grazing» and helps prevent digestive disorders.
Several servings a day
Since fresh food spoils very quickly, leftovers should not be left around for too long: instead of one large portion it is better to offer small quantities several times a day. This also corresponds to the natural eating behavior of rabbits, as they eat up to 80 small meals during the day, so that they can digest optimally. It is important to provide them with a varied diet 24 hours a day, to evenly stimulate the intestine. This is essential to prevent digestive problems and is an essential part of animal-friendly husbandry. Also be sure to set up several feeding stations so that all rabbits can eat in peace. When it comes to quantity, the rule of thumb is that there should always be some left over from the ration. The Veterinary Association for the Protection of Animals and. V. (TVT) recommends about 200 grams of fresh food per kilogram of body weight every day for a rabbit. This means that a rabbit weighing 2 kilograms should receive 400 grams of fresh food. Of this, 70% should be green fodder (grasses, green parts of plants, herbs), 20% vegetables and a maximum of 10% fruit.
What is good? Small fresh food customer
Vegetables
The following types of vegetables can be fed without hesitation, if given appropriately (first in small quantities, then increase): celery (pale/celeriac, celeriac), lettuce (frisée, endive, lettuce, iceberg, oak leaf lettuce, lollo bianca, lollo rosso, valerian, romaine), fennel, carrot/carrot with green carrot, turnip, parsnip, parsley root, turnip, turnip, purslane, radish leaves, Jerusalem artichoke. For example, avocados, ginger, onions, potatoes, beans and rhubarb are not allowed to be fed.
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Carrot/carrot question: Some veterinarians and rabbit owners associate the appearance of dental abscesses with feeding carrots and therefore advise against it. There is currently no statistically proven evidence of a connection.
Particular case of cabbage
It is always debated whether kale varieties such as kale, cauliflower, romanesco, etc. are suitable for rabbits. While some do not recommend it due to the risk of gas (e.g. educational folder for small mammals; Federal Association for the Professional Protection of Animals, Nature and Species), others consider it an ideal winter vegetable. The fact that wild rabbits are observed eating cabbage in winter is often cited as an argument in favor of feeding cabbage. Just because an animal eats a certain food does not automatically mean that that food is suitable for the animal. If you want to feed your rabbit cabbage, be especially careful to introduce it very slowly. However, there are enough alternatives to avoid having to resort to cabbage.
ImportantAccording to some owners, rabbits fed a grain-containing diet do not tolerate any type of cabbage. This is probably due to the composition of the intestinal flora, which is different in a cereal-containing diet than in a cereal-free diet.
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fruits and berries
Once he gets used to it, you can feed your rabbit the following types of fruits and berries: cranberries, apples (seedless), strawberries (preferably with leaves), raspberries, melon and watermelon. Since fruit contains a lot of sugar, it should only be given in small quantities from time to time.
The stones of nectarines, cherries, mirabelles, etc. contain hydrocyanic acid and therefore must not be administered. Many exotic fruits such as papaya, litchi, physalis and mango cause digestive problems.
Herbs, herbs, flowers and leaves
You can supply the following herbs, herbs, leaves and flowers with a suitable fertilizer: broad-leaved plantain and plantain, nettle (better dried), dill, echinacea, daisies, ground grass, fresh grass, shepherd’s purse, chamomile, cornflower, daisies, dandelion, mallow, peppermint, marigolds, hibiscus flowers and leaves, chickweed (caution: risk of confusion with gauchheil incompatible), wild goose thistle, green stems of oats, millet, wheat, barley, callisia (Schönkissen), meadow sage, meadow chervil. For example, it is not allowed to feed ivy, euphorbia, single leaves, cherry laurel and sea buckthorn.
Keep in mind that many herbs can have a specific effect on the body. The lifelong feeding of medicinal herbs is not without controversy. Depending on the ingredients (e.g. essential oils), even constant feeding, especially in larger quantities, can have a negative effect over time. If one of your rabbits has liver problems, you should discuss herbal feeding with your veterinarian beforehand. For healthy animals, as is often the case, it’s all about the right mixture and the right amount. Never feed large quantities of a particular type of herb for an extended period of time (unless there is a medical indication), but instead focus on plant diversity in a natural habitat.
branches
Fresh twigs, often with buds and flowers, are welcome and provide natural activity. They are harmless: apple trees, pears, hazelnuts, blueberries and currants. For example, thuja, yew and cypress trees are poisonous to rabbits.
Give fresh wet food or not?
There is also often a heated debate about whether or not fresh wet food should be fed. Some strictly advise against it, others argue that wild rabbits in the wild eat wet food after every downpour. Who is he now? Both can be corrected in individual cases! Rabbits prone to diarrhea should not be fed fresh wet food. Otherwise, you can feed fresh, moist food even after you get used to it.
Instructions for self-collection
If you go in search of fresh food yourself, you should pay attention to the following aspects:
- Only feed plants that you can 100% identify (watch out for doubles!) and that are suitable for rabbits
- Do not collect on busy roads (pollutant pollution from exhaust fumes)
- Feed only unfertilized plants
- Do not collect directly at the edge of the trail
- No grass from the mower (brews very quickly)
- Be aware of the possible risk of disease transmission (parasites, myxomatosis, RHD)
Suggestion: Fresh fodder plants, including organic ones, are available on the market, for example callisia, chickweed or valerian. You can also easily create your own «rabbit meadow» on the windowsill. All you need is unfertilized potting soil and a suitable seed mix. Wheatgrass is also easy to grow.
Conclusion
Rabbits are herbivores (plant eaters): they love and need fresh vegetables. To ensure complete care and respectful feeding of the animals, green parts of plants, herbs, leaves and vegetables should end up in the bowl every day. Fresh twigs with flowers and leaves are ideal for keeping busy. It is advisable to slowly accustom rabbits to fresh food that they are not familiar with, initially giving them small quantities. You should also always be sure that the varieties you choose are rabbit-friendly.
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