What fruits and vegetables are safe for rabbits?
A rabbit's diet should comprise of 85% hay, 10% greens and 5% pellets.
85% hay - Good quality hay should be provided constantly in large quantities and topped up at least twice a day to encourage maximum consumption for optimal dental and gut health. We recommend online suppliers rather than buying plastic bags from supermarkets.
10% greens - This part of the diet is really important for providing all the vitamins, minerals and enrichment. The best way to do this is not through vegetables. We don't advise feeding fruit and veg at all as this isn’t what bunnies are designed to eat. Instead wild forage is far healthier. You can buy dried forage or pick your own. Look for things like dandelions, brambles and cleavers. Herbs like basil and parsley can also be fed as a back up if needed.
5% pellets - High quality pellets are needed to fill the gaps in a diet, ensure all nutritional needs are met and to maintain a healthy weight. A very smallest amount of pellets should be fed so the rabbits are still hungry to graze on hay. Muesli style rabbit food is a big no as bunnies will pick out the tasty bits and leave the stuff that’s actually good for them! Pellets like Burgess, Science Selective and Marriage’s are a good option.
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We've come along way from feeding carrots to bunnies which does nothing but fatten them up with their super high sugar content. But you should also consider the other fruit and veg you feed. The most up-to-date advice on feeding is quickly moving away from supermarket items like broccoli, apples and kale.
Here at the rescue we don't feed vegetables and fruit at all and we advise our adopters do the same. This is because most veg is gassy and low in nutrients and often high in water. Rabbits are designed to eat the food that is found where they would naturally live, not the food that has been genetically engineered to appeal to humans in a supermarket.
Through the warmer months we encourage lots of forage gathering outside to dry and store to feed during the cold months. But you can also buy dry forage online from our shop!
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It is safe to feed rabbits a small slice of apple however, because apple is very high in sugar, it should only be fed as an occasional treat. It is far better to feed your rabbits the sticks and leaves from apple trees. This is a healthy snack they'll love and gnawing on the wood will help them wear down their teeth.
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While a very small slice of banana is safe to feed to your rabbits it is not a recommended snack for them as bananas are very high in sugar. Feeding too much will upset your bunnies' tummies and stop them filling up on hay - which is vital for their health.
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Blackberries are a safe food for rabbits however, because they are high in sugar, they should not be fed often. Instead, it is far healthier to feed your rabbit the sticks and leaves from blackberry bushes. They will even enjoy eating the sharp thorns from the bramble bush!
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Broccoli and cauliflower are safe to feed rabbits but only in very small quantities. The more veg rabbits fill up on the less hay they will eat so it's vital you always feed hay first to keep to keep them happy and healthy.
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Rabbits can eat cucumber in very small quantities however it's not recommended as it's high in water and lacks nutritional value. Instead treat your rabbit with plants such as dandelions and coriander.
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While grapes are safe for rabbits it's not a recommended snack as they are so high in sugar. Even just one grape should be seen as a big treat! A much healthier treat is herbs such as basil and coriander.
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While kale is safe for rabbits to eat in very small quantities we wouldn't recommend it as part of their diets. Instead focus on hay, grasses and plants that would make up the diet of a wild rabbit and your bunny will be a lot happier and healthier.
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Rabbits should not be fed iceberg lettuce. Other lettuces such as romaine are safe but should not be fed in large quantities due to a high water content. The heathiest rabbit diet is always to echo what their wild cousins will be eating - so mainly grass, hay and forage.
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Oregano, basil, coriander, dill and parsley are all safe herbs that can be fed to rabbits in small quantities. Herbs are great as a treat but feeding wild forage (fresh or dried) is even healthier.
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Because pears are high in sugar it's best not to feed rabbits the fruit. Feeding the branches, leaves and twigs of a pear tree is far healthier. Chewing on fruit tree twigs like pear and apple will keep your bunnies occupied and will help them wear down their teeth.
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Bell peppers are safe for rabbits to eat in small quantities however it's not recommended as they're not natural food items for bunnies. The less fruit and veg you feed your bunny the better - as they'll eat more hay and grass which is vital for their health.
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Fruits such as strawberries, raspberries and blueberries are safe for rabbits however they are very high in sugar so should not really be fed.
Avoid feeding fruit and you'll find your bunnies will eat more hay.
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Tomato plants themselves are toxic to rabbits. While tomatoes themselves are safe it is best to avoid feeding them as they are not a natural food for bunnies. Instead feed your rabbits hay and natural forage.
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Watermelon is very high in water and lacks nutritional value for bunnies. For a healthy diet rabbits need to be fed 85% hay. Avoid feeding fruit and you'll find you're bunny will eat more hay.
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It's safe to feed rabbits celery in very small quantities and as an occasional treat however natural forage is a far healthier alternative. That's things like dandelions and grass.
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We wouldn't recommend feeding your rabbit spinach. Instead focus on feeding the leaves and greens that a wild rabbit would eat such as dandelions, grass and brambles.
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