Feeding rabbits

Caring for a rabbit is not at all onerous. However, it is worth knowing the basic principles of feeding these animals, as some nutrients – and some that we would not suspect – can be dangerous for rabbits. Keep in mind both that hay should be the basis of the diet (it must be supplied freely and the rabbit should have constant access to it) and that the diet of rabbits changes seasonally.

AUTUMN/WINTER DIET

• pumpkin leaves
• carrot tops
• sunflower seeds etc. and other root crops (raw)
• dried clover leaves of raspberries, strawberries or others, plus concentrate feeds and pellets.

SPRING/SUMMER DIET After winter, the transition to a spring/summer diet must be made very gradually. Start with a few leafy greens gradually increasing to more. Green food must be fresh. It consists of:

fresh grass, nettles, clover,

other green plants and branches of fruit trees plus leaves of strawberries, raspberries etc.,

also: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, radicchio (any kind), celery leaves, dandelion, romaine lettuce, parsley, carrot leaves, radish leaves, sunflower sprouts, kohlrabi leaves,

vegetable and fruit supplements – carrot root, celery root, parsley root, apple, banana.

Rabbits like to eat the following weeds, vegetables and herbs: plantain, chicory, white clover (after flowering), red clover (after flowering), dandelion, peppermint, nettle, parsley, cress, romaine lettuce, celery mint, basil, dill, chamomile, fennel, lovage, sage.

RABBITS MUST NOT BE FED ANY OF THE FOODS LISTED BELOW:

• yellow cheese,
• meat,
• chocolate,
• beans,
• bread,
• peas,
• nuts,
• sugar,
• corn,
• fruit stones: pears, plums, apples, cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines.

We also do not recommend treats that are sold for rabbits in pet shops. This is because they contain a lot of calories and, in addition, are artificially preserved, which can harm the rabbit.