In this blog post, we will learn whether bunnies eat spinach, what types of greens they can and cannot eat. Keep reading to learn the best food types for your pet rabbit, what will strengthen it and what is toxic for it.
Can bunnies eat spinach?
Bunnies can eat spinach, but it should be given with moderation. Spinach is rich in vitamins A, folic acid, iron and other minerals such as calcium, potassium and magnesium. Like other deep green leaves, spinach contains a high concentration of nutrients. Its contribution to the diet is very beneficial, but an excess can be toxic.
Spinach leaves are usually very rich in calcium, the excess of which is eliminated through the urine. A very high supply of calcium leads to the formation of urinary stones. This is one of the problems with spinach in large quantities.
Other vegetables that we can incorporate into the rabbit’s diet and that are a better choice are carrot, turnip and beet leaves, cabbage, chard, endive, celery, lettuce, spinach, clover, grass, dandelion … and other wild vegetables such as aromatic leaves.
All vegetables should be offered in small quantities and slowly and gradually to avoid intestinal problems such as diarrhoea. When introducing a new vegetable, we must observe for a few days what effects it causes in the rabbit. They are the perfect complement for a complete diet.
Rabbits, especially young rabbits, are very sensitive to sudden changes in diet. This is one of the leading causes of death in newly purchased rabbits. A simple change in their diet can cause serious problems.
Any change in diet, especially removing the feed and adding vegetables, should be done progressively, offering small amounts of the new foods and increasing them little by little over several weeks.
Not all vegetables are good for rabbits, and some leaves are highly toxic, especially in high doses, such as parsley. Certain seeds are also unhealthy, such as apples.
Why is it important to provide fruits and vegetables in a bunny’s diet?
Incorrect feeding is the main cause of diseases in rabbits. The most widespread mistake is to only feed the rabbit, as is often the case with farm rabbits which, as they are destined for meat production, do not usually have a long life expectancy. For a pet, an exclusive feed diet has several drawbacks:
It is usually low in fibre. Recommended values are between 18 and 24 per cent. Fibre prevents intestinal transit problems.
The granules require very little chewing once moistened with saliva. This makes it difficult to properly wear the teeth, another of the main problems in rabbits, in addition to the intestinal ones. Being a highly concentrated food, it causes obesity in the life of a sedentary rabbit.
Hay always has to be available; the most suitable is cereal, which can be combined with alfalfa (lucerne), which is the one they like best, but, like spinach, it can cause a toxic effect on the kidneys due to excess calcium.
We can’t forget water: rabbits need constant access to a freshwater source.
They can survive for several days without food by feeding exclusively on their cecotropes, but they do not survive when deprived of water for periods longer than 24 hours. However, we must be careful with vegetables and fruits with high water content, such as lettuce or tomato, because they can cause diarrhoea.
What vegetables and fruits can a rabbit eat?
These small herbivorous animals feed on plants, vegetables and fruits, which form a balanced diet as long as certain consumption limits are respected.
Their basic diet is made up of hay. They cannot lack water either.
Other foods can be included in this basic diet as a reward or reward for doing good deeds (like coming to you when you call). They are a good supplement in case your processed food does not provide the necessary nutrition, although it must be provided taking into account that they are not able to tolerate all foods in the same way.
That is why I have created the following lists to help you know which foods are good for him or her, and which are not.
Vegetables that a rabbit CAN eat
- Chard, capable of calming your digestive problems and promoting intestinal transit.
- Chicory, which will improve your liver function.
- Basil (without overdoing it, it is strong like the rest of aromatic herbs that I mention)
- Artichoke
- Alfalfa (as a prize, rarely)
- Celery (in moderation, as it has laxative effects)
- Eggplant
- Watercress (favours intestinal transit as much as the canon)
- Broccoli (in just enough measure so that it does not cause gas)
- Fresh bean sprouts
- Italian squash
- Canon
- Coriander
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower (not abused, as it can produce gases)
- Dandelion
- Dill
- Endive
- Spinach (in moderation)
- Tarragon
- Peppermint
- Fennel (leaves only)
- Radish leaves
- Carrot Leaves
- Green beans (pod only)
- Laurel
- Green lettuces (except for the Iceberg)
- Red cabbage (purple cabbage)
- Mint
- Oregano
- Dry nettle
- Cucumber
- Parsley (one sprout per week, maximum)
- Paprika (any colour)
- Cabbage
- Rosemary
- Arugula
- Tomato (without abusing, for its abundant water)
- Thyme
- Clover
- Carrots.
Vegetables that a rabbit CANNOT eat
- Garlic
- Chickpeas
- Sweet potato
- pumpkin
- Onion/chives (both toxic to rabbits, watch out for them)
- Broad beans
- Mushrooms
- Iceberg lettuce
- Corn
- Turnip
- Potatoes
- Leek.
Fruits that a rabbit CAN eat
As for fruits, you have to be very responsible, since in the long run excesses can be harmful. Some of them can be given as a reward, but the dose should never be exceeded 1 or 2 times a week.
- Cherry (in moderation and its leaves more often)
- Peach
- Strawberry (moderately, plus its leaves as is the case with cherry)
- Cherries
- Kiwi (from time to time, in small quantities)
- Tangerine/orange
- Apple
- Mango
- Papaya
- Pear
- Pineapple, good for helping with the hairball.
- Watermelon.
Fruits that a rabbit can NOT eat
Mostly because they contain too much sugar:
- Avocado
- Apricot
- Plums
- Custard apple
- Damascus
- Figs
- Cantaloupe
- Medlar
- Banana
- Grape.
Whenever you doubt whether a certain food is good or bad for your rabbit, ask the nearest veterinarian or leave your query here. If possible, we will try to help you.
What does the bunny need to eat for better digestion?
Well, hay and alfalfa must be present in your pet’s diet. This has to be a daily thing and makes it easier for rabbits to digest. They must be of good quality, so it is necessary to buy them in a pet store. Hay or alfalfa cannot be stale or contain too much dust, as they can cause health problems for your rabbit.
If you notice that your pet stops eating hay, you should give him a little less food until he regains a taste for this food, since it is essential in the diet. If, on the other hand, you acquire different hay and notice that it does not eat as much because it does not like it, you should try different types (flowers, chamomile, carrot, wild herbs …) until you find the right one that your pet likes.
Food for the health of your bunny
Rabbits have a lot of fun looking for food. To force them to do a little exercise, twigs, parsley, and dandelions can be hung from the cage’s roof rack. Another option is to hide these foods around the house, in cardboard boxes, for example, and so when your pet goes for a walk around the house he will have fun finding the food and it will be a motivation to run and move; that is, do some sport.
As we have mentioned before, they must gnaw to prevent their teeth from growing indefinitely, so the more material to gnaw they have in the cage, the better. They must always have hay or alfalfa, as well as branches or pieces of wood. Another important element is the pieces of calcium.
These allow the rabbit to gnaw its teeth and also improve its calcium levels since they can be ingested. Some of them have herbs, which makes the rabbit want to gnaw even more and thus avoid that, when leaving the cage, they need to destroy all the furniture in the house.
Finally, the most important thing in rabbit feeding in freshwater. Water is the only drink suitable for rabbits. It is best to put it in a drinking fountain and it is essential to change it daily. The need for fluids can vary according to the rabbit, as well as the diet and the temperature. But your pet must have water at any time.
Conclusions
In this blog post, we learned whether bunnies eat spinach, what types of greens they can and cannot eat.
Remember that incorrect feeding is the main cause of diseases in rabbits. Bunnies can eat spinach, but it should be given with moderation, as it can cause the formation of urinary stones.
Also, it is essential that hay and alfalfa are present in your pet’s diet. This has to be a daily thing and makes it easier for rabbits to digest. They must be of good quality, so it is necessary to buy them in a pet store. Hay or alfalfa cannot be stale or contain too much dust, as they can cause health problems for your rabbit.
If you have any questions related to your bunny’s diet, please let us know!
FAQ on Can bunnies eat spinach?
Can rabbits eat spinach yes or no?
Yes, rabbits can eat spinach, but given in large quantities it can be extremely harmful to them. A very high supply of calcium leads to the formation of urinary stones. This is one of the problems with spinach in large quantities.
How much spinach should I feed my rabbit?
You can feed your rabbit with spinach once or twice a week, and no more than 1 cup of leaves. Spinach is rich in vitamins A, folic acid, iron and other minerals such as calcium, potassium and magnesium.
What foods are toxic to rabbits?
Some of the foods that are toxic to rabbits are avocados, iceberg lettuce, bread and all pastries, yogurt, hamster food, walnuts and other types of nuts. Also, foods that are high in sugar will not be beneficial long term for your bunny.
Can bunnies eat cucumber?
Yes, bunnies can eat cucumber but it should be given in small amounts. Cucumbers can cause digestive problems in rabbits that can lead to rabbit diarrhoea and dehydration.
Do wild rabbits eat carrots?
Yes, wild rabbits can eat carrots, although it is not recommended to feed a rabbit with an excessive amount of carrots as they are high in carbohydrates. Wild rabbits like eating clovers and watercress.
Can bunnies eat watermelon?
Bunnies can eat watermelon, but it is recommended to give it in moderation, as watermelon is high in sugar levels.
References
Myhouserabbit.com
Peta.org
rabbit.org
