Foods That Are Dangerous For Rabbits
Some foods can be toxic or indigestible for animals, although they seem safe to us because they are part of our diet. It is important to have knowledge about this; in this case we will explain to you which foods are dangerous for rabbits.
Vegetables, fruits, vegetables and leaves are part of the rabbit’s normal diet, but there are certain foods that you should not abuse.
1. Wild plants as food that are dangerous for rabbits
Parsley and red clover
Parsley contains apiin, which in high doses can cause kidney and liver damage. This and other components give parsley its diuretic action. Parsley has many healthy properties in low amounts; It is a source of vitamins and antioxidants due to its essential oils apiol and myristicin, but we have to be careful with the dose.
Red clover is not a highly recommended plant for rabbits, as it produces a lot of gases. So if red clover is in your rabbit’s diet, make sure you administer it mixed in very small amounts and always picking it up before the flower comes out. Other wild plants can be very toxic, like hemlock or belladonna, and not just to rabbits.
2. Foods that are dangerous for rabbits: vegetables and greens
In the rabbit’s diet , green leafy vegetables are very important, especially the darker leaves that contain a greater amount of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. But some in excess can cause health problems.
Spinach
Spinach is rich in vitamins A, folic acid, iron, and other minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium, but it also contains a high amount of calcium oxalate, which can be toxic. A very high intake of spinach can cause urinary stones, caused by the accumulation of this compound. Alfalfa should not be given in abundance either due to its high calcium content.
Lettuce and cabbage
It is the food that is most often offered to rabbits, but due to its high water content it should not be abused, as it can cause diarrhea, especially the iceberg type . Be careful when feeding lettuce to small rabbits. Likewise, cabbage can cause diarrhea and gas if it is given in excess.
Potatoes
Raw potatoes – including their leaves and stems – are toxic to rabbits. If you boil the potato, it is suitable for consumption by the animal, but due to its high starch content and high caloric value, it is not recommended.
Broccoli
It has numerous healthy properties, it is a good antioxidant, but it can also cause gas if we introduce it in large quantities.
3. Fruits
Fruits, in general, should be offered in small quantities due to their high water and sugar content. A diet with an excess of fruits – more than 5% of their diet – can cause diarrhea in rabbits.
4. Low-quality feed
The daily amount of feed must be rationed. It is very common to make the mistake of feeding only feed to a rabbit. A diet based exclusively on feed can cause health problems in the long run:
- Intestinal transit problems, due to the low amount of fiber in most of these feeds.
- Little dental wear. The teeth in rabbits do not stop growing and it is necessary to offer foods that are also rich in fibers to promote their wear. Tooth overgrowth is a very common problem in domestic rabbits.
- Obesity. The pellets of feed are a very concentrated food and daily excessive consumption may cause long obesity in rabbits.
- Urinary stones. The feed has a high concentration of calcium and minerals that can precipitate in the bladder and form stones.
The most advisable thing is to prepare a varied diet of leaves, vegetables, hay and feed in small quantities to maintain the health of the rabbit. It is very important that you always have fresh, clean water at your disposal.
