Rabbits have a specialized digestive system that is different with the other animals. This difference enables the rabbit’s ability to process fiber and nuttients that make it adaptable to many different environments.
However, this unique digestive system should also be followed by extra attentions to the owners about what to feed and what not to feed to rabbits. Make sure you also read about specific nutrition that should be included in rabbit food.
There are a number of foods that can disrupt the rabbits’ digestion and be harmful to their health. There are even some types of food that are poisonous to your rabbits.
You can read it further in types of food your rabbit shouldn’t eat. As a rabbit’s parent, it is very important to be aware and mindful of these 13 foods you shouldn’t feed to your rabbit.
- Bread, pasta, cookie and crackers
These types of food are high in carbs and they will only “treat” your rabbits to some stomach issues. Make sure you avoid feeding your rabbits foods that are high in sugar or artificial ingredients as they can lead to enterotoxaemia.
- Avocado
It seems that avocado is harmful to almost all animals, including rabbits. Avocado is also forbidden and listed as forbidden fruits for your dogs. Fresh vegetables and fruits are very good for your rabbits, but not avocadoes. According to some resources, this fatty fruit ca be deadly if ingested by a rabbit.
- Cereal
Cereals may be good for our health, but not for rabbits. For instance, muesli, a processed food made up of flaked maize, peas, pellets, grains and seeds, can lead to some tooth and tummy problems to your rabbits.
- Iceberg Lettuce
Another vegetable you cannot feed to your rabbit is iceberg lettuce. Light-colored lettuce, including iceberg, contains lactucarium, a chemical that can be harmful to your rabbit’s health if ingested. Moreover, iceberg lettuce is also rich in water, but it doesn’t add much nutrition to your rabbit’s diet.
- Walnut
Walnuts are high in fat, but not in fiber. High fat food will cause your rabbit to have uncomfortable indigestion. If you’re looking for a healthy snack to feed your rabbit, you can try some fresh veggies or herbs instead.
- Oatmeal
Feeding rabbits some oatmeal may not cause major harm to rabbits, but again oatmeal is not an ideal food for rabbits. Rabbits require a lot of hay, hearty greens and freshwater. Surprisingly, oatmeal does not have anything to do to boost their nutritious diet.
- Chocolate
Chocolate is yummy but it is absolutely a big NO for your rabbits. Just like to dogs, chocolate has no place in your rabbits’ diet. The sweet treat can be poisonous to your rabbits and should never be given to them.
Chocolate contains two types of methylxanthines that are very harmful to rabbits. They are theobromine and caffeine. The higher the cocoa content in the chocolate, the higher the concentration of methylxanthines.
If you feed your rabbits a few squares of dark chocolate, then it will turn out into a medical emergency. Your rabbits may experience some chocolate poisoning symptoms, such as diarrhea, restlessness, high temperature, trembling and panting.
- Peanut Butter
Similar to walnuts, peanut butter is also high in fat, therefore, it should be avoided by rabbits. The other creamy snacks won’t work for rabbits, instead they will just give them a tummy ache.
- Meat
Rabbits are herbivorous and naturally they don’t consume meat. Instead, they only eat plants. Even wild rabbits out there don’t eat meat, and neither should your pet rabbit!
- Cauliflower
Cauliflowers are vegetables, but why can’t they be given to rabbits? Vegetables are rich in fiber that your rabbit diet requires, however, cauliflowers cause your rabbit to bloat and become gassy. Instead of giving cauliflower, consider giving your rabbit green peppers, radishes or beets.
- Potatoes
Potatoes are human favorite vegetables, but not ideal for rabbits. Though potatoes are not poisonous, they are rich in carbs and starch. Both of these components can cause some digestive issues to your rabbit digestive system.
- Yogurt Drops
According to some research quoted in Rabbit.org, yogurt drops can cause lethal cases of enterotoxaemia, which is a toxic growth of bad bacteria in the intestinal tract. If you wish to give some healthy snacks for your rabbit, try some green peppers or Brussels sprouts instead.
- Fruit Pips and Seeds
Feeding your rabbits small amount of fruit flesh, such as apple, may be okay. However, it is a big NO for the seeds. Apple seeds, for example, contain a compound that is very toxic to rabbits.
Other fruits seeds and pips, such as peach, apricot, plums are also harmful to your rabbits. They contain trace amounts of cyanide. If you wish to give some fruits to your rabbits, make sure all the pips have been removed.
Get to know more about food that are beneficial for gaining your rabbits weight and best food to keep your rabbit healthy.