15 Best Foods for Rabbit: Vegetables, Fruits, and Packaged Food

The cute rabbit is a ball of soft fur, and one can’t get enough of it. The cuddly rabbits are precious and delicate pets. If you own a bunny, you know the care they need to be super active. The rabbits are an amazing pet; they are playful, affectionate, and needs to be trained. For a healthy rabbit, you need to be careful of what you feed them. Like humans, they have their favorite food but not the same as you. Therefore, don’t feed rabbits what you feel is right, instead consider their digestive mechanism. Their digestive tract is susceptible, and you should gradually change their diet. If you are wondering, then what do rabbits eat and drink? We are here to help you list 15 best foods for rabbits, including vegetables, fruits, and packaged food.

Basic nutrients for Rabbits

Carbohydrate

Rabbits get the carbohydrates from the plants it consumes. Carbohydrates in plants primarily include sugar and fiber, which is essential for their digestion. You need to ensure a high intake of fiber to keep away from gastrointestinal disease, especially in adult rabbits.

Protein

Protein is the building block of a living organism. It is essential for the rabbit’s muscles, furs, skin, and nails. They need a lower quality of protein as the rabbit’s colon can produce minor protein. You need to feed them protein, especially in their growing age, pregnancy, and milking stage.

Vitamins

There are many vitamins essential for rabbits like vitamin A, D, E, C, K, and B complex.  Foods for rabbits should contain a balanced amount of vitamins. The rabbits can fall ill if any vital vitamin is deficient. You should choose apt vitamin for that particular age of its life.

Minerals

Rabbits require the right amount of minerals, including calcium, sodium, phosphorus, and more. It is not easy to provide it through natural food, but you can easily do it with packaged food. You can feed dry foods for rabbits to balance the diet.

Fats

Fats are the fuel for rabbits as they are very active pets. It is the source of energy, and you need to provide fats in its diet. However, excess fat can cause obesity in rabbits.            

Water

The body of the rabbit contains 50% of water. So, they need a high intake of water. You can give a particular vegetable and fruit which has high moisture content. You can also keep a pot of water next to them that they drink water now and then.

Best Vegetables for rabbits

There are plenty of human foods suitable for rabbits. In particular, the leafy vegetables, raw crunchy salads, and herbs are best for your rabbit’s health. You can also feed the peel of the vegetables, which is generally thrown in the dustbin. There is a list of vegetables which are very healthy for rabbits.

1. Carrot leaves

When we talk about foods for rabbits, everyone thinks of carrot in the first place. It is evident because of the cartoons we watch. Carrots are a good source of Vitamin A; however, it also contains high sugar content which eventually increases their obesity. At the same time, carrot leaves are a great source of Vitamin A, B6, C, K niacin, folate, and more. Therefore, carrot leaves should be included in daily diet added with other vegetables.

2.      Cauliflower

Cauliflower is one of the best foods for pet rabbits. You can give the florets, stalk, and leaves. This vegetable is enriched with a high amount of fiber, which helps the rabbit digest it well. Cauliflower is a good source of vitamins as well. So next time you plan the diet for your pet bunny, ensure that you add some florets of cauliflower too.

3. Celery

Celery is a moisture-rich vegetable. It is rich in numerous vitamins and minerals, which helps to keep your rabbit hydrated.  Not only the stalk but also leaves of celery can be given to rabbits. It can be included as daily fresh food for rabbits. It makes celery one of the best foods for rabbits.

4. Cucumber

Cucumber is another vegetable with high water content. Along with this, cucumber is also rich in Vitamin B and other nutrients. It is healthy food for rabbits in summer. However, it should not be given as a daily rabbit diet.  For safer side, provide only two slices of cucumber twice a week.  If it is homegrown cucumber, you can also feed the rabbits with cucumber leaves.

5. Peas

Peas are a rich source of antioxidants, sugar, protein, multivitamins, phosphorus, and more. Your pet rabbit would love to feed on the peas, pods, and leaves. You can comfortably add it to the rabbit diet plan. It is one of the best foods for rabbits. While changing the diet, be watchful if the change is suitable for your pet.

6. Coriander

Coriander is found in every home, and this is the herb that your pet rabbit will love. It is a low-calorie herb, rich in Vitamin A, K, B6, E, and more. All these nutrients will keep the heart of the rabbit healthy. This herb is a good source of minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, and more. It keeps them away from illness as well. Therefore, coriander is one of the best foods for rabbits. If you think about what weeds rabbit can eat, so you should know that rabbit can consume chickweed, nettle, and thistle.

7. Lettuce

Lettuce is an excellent source of nutrients and fiber. Romaine and iceberg lettuce are commonly found in the market. You should go to dark-colored romaine lettuce. Remember the rule of buying lettuce, darker the leaves; it is more fibrous and filled with nutrition. So, you should avoid iceberg lettuce for your rabbit. Greener the leaves, better it is. The nutrients of lettuce make us say that it is one of the best foods for rabbits.

Best Fruits for rabbits

Fruits are rich in energy-giving carbs, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which makes it an ideal consumption rabbit. However, the fruits have high sugar content, which makes it not very advisable for daily intakes. Very sweet fruits are not healthy for rabbit’s fur as well. Feed fruits to them as weekly treats. The following are the list of fruits suitable for your pet rabbits. 

8. Grapes

Grapes are a treat for rabbits. It is filled with Carbohydrate, Vitamin K, and C. However, high sugar level fruits should be given in a tiny amount. If your rabbit feed on grapes in large quantity, it will affect its digestive system.

9. Apples

Apples are a good source of protein, carbs, and fiber. It is one of the best foods for rabbits. However, you have to be cautious that you give it in small amounts and just occasionally. Don’t add it to the daily rabbit diet. While feeding an apple to your rabbit, make sure that you peel off the skin as it might contain harmful pesticides. Also, remove the apple seed so that you don’t poison them unknowingly. Try not to give any fruit seed to the rabbits.

10. Mangoes

Mangoes are very sweet fruit with high sever content. However, no one can deny its delicious taste. You can make your pet rabbit taste mangoes in a tiny amount only a few times a week. It is good that mangoes are seasonal for that reason.

11. Berries

There are several berries available in the market and is the best food for rabbits to eat. Blackberry is known for its great astringent property so that you can feed your rabbit with this berry. You can also give them blueberries and cherries. Remember that these are occasional food for the rabbits and never add these to their daily diet.

12. Kiwi fruit

Kiwi is the best rabbit food if it comes to the fruit section of our list. The sugar content in this fruit is slightly less. Kiwi is also healthy for the rabbit’s liver and kidney functioning. The best thing is if you are eating kiwi someday, you can simply feed the kiwi peel to your rabbit. It would be a healthier treat for it. The kiwi contains fiber, folate, and vitamin E. All these are valuable nutrients for good rabbit health. 

Healthy packaged food for rabbits

There are many packaged dry food available for rabbits. There we have listed the top three of them. It is a great option to give a balanced diet for your rabbits.

13. Boltz Premium Rabbit Food,

This rabbit food is packed with all goodness a rabbit wants. It is low in sugar, rich in fiber and protein. You can feed your rabbit with this fantastic one-stop solution for the rabbit diet. It is best when you lack time to feed your rabbit regularly, and yet you wish to give the best to your pet. It is one of the best foods for rabbits.

Price– 1.2kg at Rs.399

14. Harringtons Small Animal Optimum Rabbit Food

If you ever wonder what to feed rabbits, then one simple solution is packed food specially made for your pet rabbits. It is dry food for rabbits rich in antioxidants, fiber, and flavors favored by your rabbits. This is one of the best-packaged foods for rabbits available in the Indian market.

Price– 2kg at Rs.599

15. JiMMy Pet Products Fab Feast Rabbit Food

This food product of rabbits is crafted for its everyday dietary needs. It is rich in High fiber, pellets, minerals, and vitamins. The manufacturers have also added dehydrated vegetables like carrots, beetroots. It also includes oats and hay to add protein content in the rabbit’s diet. It is one of the best dry foods for rabbits.

Price– 1.2kg at Rs.395

Conclusion

Rabbits are adorable pets. If you are a rabbit lover, you know they are friendly and loyal. The superactive and loves to eat just like we do. However, their digestive system is very different from ours. There could be some food items you love, and you wish to share the tasty food with your furry friend but stop there. All things you love might not be healthy for your pets. So before feeding anything to them, you should learn its nutrient facts. Check if your rabbit friend’s sensitive tiny tummy can take it or not. Also, watch for the portion of food you feed it. You can also consider going through human foods for cats if you are a cat lover too.  Love your special pet mindfully and do everything which is best for them. Therefore, we have brought a list of 15 best foods for rabbits: vegetables, fruits, and packaged food.

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