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Rabbits are unique pets that fascinate a wide range of people. Although they are usually portrayed eating carrots, not all vegetables are good for them. Jordan Walker, the lead content curator of Coops and Cages, shares what type of food isn’t suited for bunnies.
Rabbits are one of the cutest pets around and roughly 3% of households have these as their pets. Bunnies are very quiet yet sociable animals. They will bond with their owners and are easily trained. Best of all, they are really easy to maintain. The only downside to owning one is that you need to be careful of their diet. Lots of things are toxic to rabbits. By learning what these are, you can enjoy the company of your rabbit for years to come.
Lettuce
Lettuce is a leafy vegetable that is a great source of Vitamin A and K. Additionally, it contains a decent amount of iron and folic acid. Lactucarium, commonly known as lettuce opium, has properties that make it a sedative and analgesic. That, in itself, isn’t really harmful, but for rabbits, it can cause devastating effects. One notable symptom is diarrhea. This condition is pretty common for us, humans, but it can be fatal for rabbits.
Muesli
Muesli is a commercial product that is commonly used to serve breakfast or brunch. Muesli is comprised of mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly seeds and nuts, raw rolled oats, grains, flaked maize and pellets. It is usually served with milk, fruit juice or yogurt. The entire meal sounds healthy, but it isn’t actually that effective for rabbits. This meal can cause them to gain weight quickly and this can lead to issues like obesity.
Also, with constant consumption of muesli, their consumption of hay or grass is severely reduced as the muesli can satisfy their needs quickly. This leads to the primary issue which is the promotion of selective feeding. By feeding this to rabbits, they start to pick out high starch components of the meal and this, in turn, results in an unbalanced diet. Furthermore, their reliance on muesli and the reduced hay intake all contribute to digestive and dental issues for rabbits. That’s why veterinarians don’t usually advise these for rabbits. Being exotic animals, rabbits should be exposed to non-commercialized products.
Food with High Sugar Content
Rabbits are pretty similar to humans when it comes to sweets. When given a choice, they will always choose sugary foods over healthier options. This is where rabbit treats come in. These packaged goodies are said to be the perfect rewards for your little pet. What they are, however, is simply glorified “junk food.” These treats have no nutritional value and could harm your pet sooner or later.
Chocolates are also on the avoid list for rabbit owners. The methylxanthine contained in cacao seeds, which are used to make chocolates, can cause a variety of issues such as tremors, seizures and heart arythmia. In some cases, it can even be lethal.
If you truly want to reward your pet with a sweet treat, apples, raisins or bananas will do.
General Tips
Rabbits enjoy fruits and vegetables. Fresh hay is their favorite and should comprise a good percentage of their diet. If you plan on introducing new food to them, be sure to only give a small amount as they have very strong taste buds. After the taste test, observe the next 24 hours. If their excrement becomes soft, stop the new food and give them time to recover. Allow at least 5-7 days before introducing something new again to be sure their system is back to normal.
Rabbits are exotic pets that breed very quickly and make lovable pets. They are also animals that have delicate tummies and should be cared for really well. Be sure you wash their food thoroughly and be sure the fruits and vegetables you feed them are pesticide free.
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Author: Jordan Walker
Jordan is the lead content curator for Coops and Cages as well as other pet-related blogs. His passion for animals is matched with his passion for “attempting” to play the guitar. If you would like to catch more of him, you can visit his Google+ or
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