Rabbit Diet Alternatives

A rabbits dietary needs can also be provided through alternative [to pellets] foods.

Most important is access to unlimited fresh timothy hay, grass hay, or alfalfa. Timothy hay is the best, alfalfa is more fattening. But some bunnies have a preference for one over the other. In addition to the hay, bunny must have a variety of fresh vegetables (approximately one heaping cup for every five pounds of body weight). You can feed more if weight is not a concern. Dr. Brown advises that you feed a minimum of 3 different vegetables daily.

Add one veggie at a time. If soft stools or diarrhea occurs, eliminate that vegetable from the diet.

Choose one each day that contains Vitamin A

(with an asterisk next to it)

 

Basil

Beet greens*

Bok Choy

Brocolli (including leaves)*

Carrot & carrot tops*

Celery

Cilantro

Clover

Collard Greens*

Dandelion greens and flowers (no pesticides)

Escarole

Green peppers

Mint

Parsley*

Pea pods (flat edible kind)*

Peppermint leaves

Raddichio

Radish tops

Rasberry leaves

Romaine lettuce (not iceberg or light colored leaf)*

Watercress*



        Spinach and kale may be given occasionally in small quantities but

        can be toxic if given over a period of time.

Fruits: one daily

(Only one tablespoon per five pounds of body weight)

 

Apple                   Peach

Banana                  Pear

Blueberries             Pineapple

Melon                   Strawberries

Papaya



        May give one teaspoon of dried fruit in lieu of fresh fruit.

If your bunny has had digestive problems and you try this diet, please let us know how it works for you so we can share the results with our readers.

Source: Washington House Rabbit Society