Last Updated on June 12, 2023 by Leonard Harper
Ensuring a rabbit has a healthy diet will depend much on knowing exactly what vegetables rabbits can eat.
With the exception of Hay , Pellets and Fruits, it is ideal to keep a focus on the wide variety of green leaf and non-leafy vegetables available.
Any leafy green that is safe for a human to eat is safe for a rabbit as well.
With that in mind, you will find a compilation of food to keep your furry friend happy and healthy.
Green Leaf Vegetables Rabbits Can Eat
Rabbits do love a good array of fresh vegetables and you’re doing the right thing when providing them with a varied and balanced diet that includes these.
Leafy greens should make up for most part of it and any that we include in our list is safe for a rabbit’s diet.
Ensure enough rotation as these tend to be widely available at any grocery, providing a variety of nutrients and a balanced diet.
Leafy greens should ideally compose an average of 15% of a rabbit’s diet. Ensure these are as fresh as possible so they still include all their nutrients and minerals.
Some options to consider include:
- Spinach
- Sprouts
- Parsley
- Beet Greens
- Cucumber leaves
- Carrot tops
- Kale
- Basil
- Mint
Other Non-leafy Vegetables Good For Rabbits
Common vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, celery, and other widely available at your local store are perfect for your rabbit. But remember to keep it at a ratio of approximately 15% of all vegetables in their diet considering you should focus more in Green Leaf vegetables to start with.
These crunchy options will appeal to your friend’s appetite but have to be seen in the same manner as humans see carbon hydrates – necessary but kept limited in its portions.
You may consider:
Whichever food you opt for, make sure you keep your rabbit healthy and control its weight by providing the ratios suggested above. Fresh options are suggested as they maintain a good balance of nutrients and minerals that tend to be lost with time.
Rabbits have a natural tendency to gain weight and have an avid appetite for high calorie meals, along with a sedentary lifestyle.
It’s up to you to balance all these controlling the type of vegetables at their disposal, keeping a focus on Green Leaf vegetables that ensure the correct digestive tract whilst keeping a balanced protein intake.
If you can, avoid buying industrialized and processed rabbit food as nothing can replace the fresh options suggested above.
What Vegetables Are Bad For Rabbits To Eat
Avoid avocado and iceberg lettuce as these are harmful to rabbits and do not constitute a good option for their diet.
Be careful with any cruciferous vegetable, like broccoli or cauliflower. Even though they are safe for them to eat, just keep the servings small, and pay attention to how the bunny will react since they are known for causing gas for some rabbits.
Just like with any other vegetable, try to introduce it slowly. Give your rabbits a small piece to see if they have a bad reaction to it. If they have no reaction, give them a bit more.
Leo, a novice urban farmer and avid writer hailing from Chicago, Illinois, finds his joy and inspiration in the company of rabbits. His affection for these cuddly creatures started when he was gifted a Mini Rex, named Poe, on his 18th birthday. Poe soon became a source of comfort, companionship, and surprisingly, creative inspiration. He soon expanded his brood to include three more rabbits of different breeds, each with their own engaging tale.