Rabbit diet myths

Rabbits should eat mainly carrots, right? Wrong! Bugs Bunny has a lot to answer for!

There are lots of common misconceptions about what rabbits should eat.

Join us in some myth busting to find out what rabbits really need to eat to stay healthy.

Get the facts here!

 

Myth #1 - Rabbits eat carrots

Bugs Bunny was wrong! Carrots should not be a main source of food for rabbits.

Rabbits don't naturally eat root vegetables or fruit. As carrots (and fruit) are high in sugar they should only be fed in small amounts as an occasional treat.

Rabbits should eat mainly hay and/or grass, some leafy greens and they can have a small, measured amount of pellets. Use our rabbit meal planner to get an overview of rabbits' dietary needs.

Myth #2 - Hay is just bedding

 

Hay is not just bedding. Fresh, sweet-smelling dust–free hay should be their main source of food, and should be available at all times.

Find out why we've got Hay Fever!

Myth #3 - Rabbits eat lettuce

Nope! It's not 'rabbit food'. A rabbit’s diet should not be based on lettuce.

Rabbits should not eat some lettuces (such as iceberg) as they contain a substance called laudanum which can be harmful in large quantities.

Some lettuce is nutritionally "worse" than others - Light-coloured varieties are so high in water that they have very little nutritional value, so are not recommended for rabbits.

Only the darker, more leafy and fibrous varieties (such as romaine lettuce) should be fed, as these types are higher in fibre and actual nutrients.

Large amounts of lettuce, for a rabbit unused to it, can cause digestive upsets.

Only small quantities of dark, leafy, fibrous varieties should be fed, and they should be introduced gradually to avoid digestive problems.

Myth #4 - Rabbits should be fed big bowlfuls of commercial food

If rabbits eat too much commercial food (pellets/nuggets/muesli) they can gain weight and may not eat enough hay and/or grass.

Muesli-style foods should not be fed at all as they are associated with teeth and tummy problems. Find out why muesli is unhealthy for rabbits and how to gradually transition them onto a healthier diet.

Rabbits can be fed a small, measured amount of pellets/nuggets each day, to ensure they get all the vitamins and minerals they need. Check our meal planner to make sure you're feeding the right type and quantities of food.

But remember that hay and/or grass are much more important and should make up the majority of their diet. Our feeding tips will help ensure your rabbits eat plenty of hay.

Eating lots of hay and grass helps to wear down rabbits' constantly growing teeth and keeps their tummies healthy.

It also allows them to forage and graze; important normal behaviours. If fed a bowl of highly palatable commercial food rabbits will eat it quickly and then have nothing else to do, so may become bored.

Find out how to make feeding time fun for your rabbits!