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Greens & Veggies
After hay, greens are the next major element of a house rabbit's diet. A 5-7 lb. rabbit should be offered 2-4 cups of fresh greens every day. This is part of the updated vet recommendations (from the House Rabbit Society) specifically for fixed, indoor rabbits. It is this variety of greens that allows the decrease in pellet amount offered. That quantity of greens can be divided, feeding half in the morning and half in the evening. Or it can be fed all at once. Rabbits seem to like consistency so whatever you choose, consider doing it the same each day. Soon your rabbit will be looking forward to and expecting his fresh greens at that time each day. |
How to Introduce Greens to Your Rabbit
(Since rabbits can be sensitive to new food, it is important that any diet changes be done gradually.)
Choose a green to begin your introductions. Cilantro, romaine lettuce, or green or red leaf lettuce are potential options. Offer a twig of cilantro or a palm-sized piece of lettuce and see what bunny thinks.
Once he's eaten it (sometimes it may take more than one attempt at offering it before he actually tries it) then keep an eye on his 'output.' If his poos start to malform or get mushy, then back off of that green and give him a couple days for his gut to settle. If his poos remain normal then continue offering him small amounts of that same green each day - always checking for any change in poos. If he's doing well, then offer him a little more each day (eg. more twigs of cilantro or a full leaf of lettuce).
If he does well with that particular green for several days, you can add that to his list of greens he tolerates. Then you can move on to a new green. Go through the same process with each new green.
Before long, you'll have a list of greens he likes and tolerates. Gradually increase the amount of greens you give him. The goal will be at least 2 cups of greens daily. Some people like to offer a variety of greens each day. Others like to offer a different type of green each day (provided it has been tested per above). While others will offer the same green for several days in a row and then switch to a different one for several days, and so on.
Choose a green to begin your introductions. Cilantro, romaine lettuce, or green or red leaf lettuce are potential options. Offer a twig of cilantro or a palm-sized piece of lettuce and see what bunny thinks.
Once he's eaten it (sometimes it may take more than one attempt at offering it before he actually tries it) then keep an eye on his 'output.' If his poos start to malform or get mushy, then back off of that green and give him a couple days for his gut to settle. If his poos remain normal then continue offering him small amounts of that same green each day - always checking for any change in poos. If he's doing well, then offer him a little more each day (eg. more twigs of cilantro or a full leaf of lettuce).
If he does well with that particular green for several days, you can add that to his list of greens he tolerates. Then you can move on to a new green. Go through the same process with each new green.
Before long, you'll have a list of greens he likes and tolerates. Gradually increase the amount of greens you give him. The goal will be at least 2 cups of greens daily. Some people like to offer a variety of greens each day. Others like to offer a different type of green each day (provided it has been tested per above). While others will offer the same green for several days in a row and then switch to a different one for several days, and so on.
There are several sources that list suggested bunny greens. It's a good idea to browse through a few. Some sites will have warnings about certain greens, while others will cover some other greens. Parsley & spinach are high in oxalic acid so should only be offered occasionally. Broccoli may cause gas in some rabbits but its high starch content is more worrisome so it should also be limited. Romaine lettuce is usually well-tolerated, while iceberg should not be offered at all. This is the type of information for which you will be looking. MediRabbit has some good videos on feeding veggies. Note: Carrots are high in sugar and should be treated as a fruit. Fruits and carrots are considered treats. |
Warning:
Greens & veggies should not be fed to young rabbits. A rabbit should be a minimum of 12 weeks before introducing greens. This is the minimum. Some suggest waiting until 4 months (or even 6 months of age). Bear in mind that if one waits too long (ie. 6 months) there is a risk that bunny will be resistant to trying these strange new foods. If you choose to begin at 12 weeks, just proceed slowly with small amounts, always looking for warning signs of mushy poos. If one green causes a change in poos, stop that green and try another in a few days. If that next one (or a third one) has the same effect, then wait a couple weeks before trying again.
The exception to this would be if the bunny had already been nibbling greens while still nursing from a momma who was also receiving greens. In that case, baby's gut can tolerate limited greens. Unless one knows absolutely that this was the situation, greens should be avoided until bunny is at least 12 weeks of age.
Greens & veggies should not be fed to young rabbits. A rabbit should be a minimum of 12 weeks before introducing greens. This is the minimum. Some suggest waiting until 4 months (or even 6 months of age). Bear in mind that if one waits too long (ie. 6 months) there is a risk that bunny will be resistant to trying these strange new foods. If you choose to begin at 12 weeks, just proceed slowly with small amounts, always looking for warning signs of mushy poos. If one green causes a change in poos, stop that green and try another in a few days. If that next one (or a third one) has the same effect, then wait a couple weeks before trying again.
The exception to this would be if the bunny had already been nibbling greens while still nursing from a momma who was also receiving greens. In that case, baby's gut can tolerate limited greens. Unless one knows absolutely that this was the situation, greens should be avoided until bunny is at least 12 weeks of age.
Leafy Greens
The lists below are not complete- just for your convenience to get you started.
These greens are typically well tolerated by house rabbits and are safe to feed daily (once properly introduced).
Daily
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Occasionally
The greens below should be limited. So they could be fed either a couple times per week, or they could be fed daily for several days and then not at all for the next several days (switch to the safe greens for those days).
- Parsley
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Carrot tops (green)
- Mustard greens
- Beet greens
- Swiss chard
- Radish tops
- Sprouts (from 1 to 6 days after sprouting, sprouts have higher levels of alkaloids)
- Kale (high in calcium)
- Cauliflower
- Turnip Greens (high in calcium)
- Chicory greens (high in calcium)
CAUTION! Don’t feed grasses, plants, or tree/bush branches from outside if you live in an area where there is an RHDV outbreak. CAUTION!