Once you have decided to get a pet rabbit and you get past the cuddles, one of the first questions that you are going to have is what you should feed bunnies and more specifically: are carrots good for pet rabbits?. Pet rabbits are very delicate and have very sensitive digestive systems. If they are not fed properly, you could have a very sick rabbit on your hands. Before you know it you are rushing to the vet. On
Unfortunately, If you have very little experience with pet bunnies, the first vegetable that is going to pop into your head is the carrot and you will be wondering if carrots are good for your pet rabbit. Popular television culture has somehow been able to imprint this into our psyche. However, knowing sooner rather than later what to feed your rabbit, will keep your rabbit healthy. Let’s be honest, when you think of rabbits, you almost automatically think of carrots. Here we will examine whether or not there is any truth regarding the connection that has been made between bunnies and carrots.
Can pet rabbits eat carrots?
The answer is yes but there are conditions. Pet rabbits can have carrots but only as a treat. This should signal to you that it should not be a regular addition to your pet’s diet. However, interestingly, the green leafy carrot top is actually a better choice for your rabbit and he or she will love it. Bunnies do not eat root vegetables like the carrot in the wild. If you think about it, it makes sense. Where are pet rabbits going to find carrots just lying around? Seems pretty far-fetched right?Most likely, your rabbit will be highly domesticated and not be allowed to roam about. However, he or she will definitely be exposed to a greater variety of foods. After all, you will be doing the “foraging” and sourcing for them. However, you should try to keep your rabbit’s meals as close to its natural diet as possible.
Why should carrots be used sparingly?
Now, don’t get the wrong idea, carrots are healthy by and large. They are a wonderful source of fiber, beta carotene, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants. They are delicious and crunchy and your pet bunny is sure to enjoy it. However, the flip side is that carrots have very high sugar and starch content. If your rabbit has this root vegetable too often, he or she may become at risk for obesity. Obesity is a serious condition for a rabbit since it can affect mobility and put undue pressure on the bunny bones.
Some veterinarians may even caution pet owners about the use of carrots. The health issues that your bunny may face might go even beyond putting on weight. Carrots could cause dental issues and digestives issues that can leave your rabbit reeling for days on end. The fact is if you look at the biology of a rabbit. It cannot dig to recover root vegetables. This should be a fair indication, that carrots should not be a big part of a rabbit’s diet. It really is quite logical.
If I chose to give my bunnies a carrot treat, how should I go about it?
You should cut the carrot into small manageable sticks or slivers. A maximum of 2 or 3 small carrot sticks, no longer than an inch in length should be safe. You should always be mindful of choking hazards when feeding your rabbit. Another creative way of feed carrots to pet rabbits is by mixing slivers of carrots in with the rabbit’s hay or grass. This way you will add a different flavor to the hay that your rabbit might find particularly enticing.
Are there different types of carrots and is there one that is rabbit friendly?
Yes, there are different types of carrots. However, their difference is mostly based on shape and flavor. I have created a list of the major categories of carrots and their properties below. You should also note that under these categories, there are many sub-varieties, however they are too numerous to include them all. The information provided below should be more than enough to give you a reasonable picture.
- Danvers – These carrots get their name from the area they were developed in – Danvers, Massachusetts. They are long and skinny, come in varying shades of orange and are pretty hard and can live in less than ideal soil conditions.
- Nantes – They are cylindrical in shape along the entire length. Also, these carrots have very little carrot top foliage to speak of. They are almost red in color. They mature faster than other types of carrots.
- Imperator – This type of carrot is what you would find in the supermarkets or grocery stores. They are very thick and is the carrot with the highest sugar content.
- Chantenay – This carrot thrives in rocky soil or if you choose to grow them in a container. They only grow to about 7 inches long and should be harvested at that length. If you don’t your flavor is altered.
- Mini or Ball – These reach a maximum length of 4 inches. Their distinguishing quality is their radish shape. They too can be grown in containers.
So, now that you know that not all carrots are created equal. As such, I would recommend that you use a carrot with lower sugar content as a treat. Obviously that would definitely mean that you should not use imperator carrots. It is also important to note that carrots harvested before time will not be as sweet as those reaped at the right time. So if by chance, you grow your own carrots, if you reap them before time, they may be a healthier option for your rabbit.
If not carrots, then what should bunnies eat?
Pet rabbits good health depends on their diet. The first thing you should know is that the rabbit’s daily food intake should consist of 80% grass or hay. These two are essential for your rabbit’s digestive system to function properly. It is an essential fiber that cannot and should not be replaced. The chewing of grasses and hays are also important for your bunny’s dental health. The chewing prevents their teeth from becoming painfully long. As you may have suspected there are different types of hays and grasses. Here are the more popular types of hay:
- Herbal Hay (Herbage)
- Orchard Hay/Grass
- Oat Hay
- Timothy Hay
- Meadow Hay
Grasses are healthier for your rabbit than hay is. Freshly cut grass retains more of its nutritional value than hay does. They are also tastier. However, this is not always practical or easy to obtain. Below is a list of some of the better known grasses:
- Oat Grass
- Wheat Grass
- Bromegrass
- Bermudagrass
Green leafy vegetables, supplements, pellets, and occasional treats make up the other 20% of a rabbit’s diet. There are quite a few leafy greens to choose from.
You can see some of your options below. The list is by no means an exhaustive list, but enough to give an idea of what can be used.
- Spinach
- Mustard greens
- Parsley
- Swiss chard
- Beet greens
- Kale
- Basil
- Watercress
- Cilantro
- Turnip greens
- Dill Leaves
- Radish tops
If you choose to feed your adult rabbit pellets you should ensure that the brand you buy has about 14% protein, 1 % fat, 1% calcium and about 22% fiber. Adults can only have small amounts of pellets. However, baby rabbits can have a great deal more since they are growing and need the protein for strong bones.
Firstly, minerals and supplements are not really necessary if your rabbit is receiving a balanced diet. You should note if you decide to give supplements as a precautionary measure, there are some factors you should be aware of. Pet rabbits are extremely sensitive to vitamins and mineral levels in their body. If you use them too frequently they can create blood toxicity in your rabbit, which could make him very ill.
Nevertheless, minerals and supplements are usually given in a number of ways and are available at pet stores. One of the more popular ways that you can give your rabbit a supplement is by providing a lick. These blocks contain essential salt and minerals. It is a good idea to place it next to your rabbit’s water.
Another supplement that should be added to your list is a pineapple supplement. This one seemed a bit weird to me at first, but it makes sense when you know the nutritional value of this tropical fruit. Pineapple contains bromelain which is essential for good digestion. It is particularly important for pet rabbits since, like cats, rabbits often suffer from hairball issues. The bromelain helps in the breakdown of proteins and prevents hairballs from causing serious intestinal problems for your rabbit.
If you were wondering if carrots are good for your pet rabbit, now you know that they are not an ideal vegetable for him and should only be used as a treat. The rabbit’s very biology is a guide to what it should or should not eat. Some carrots are better for pet rabbits than others because of their lower sugar content. However, it does not mean that carrot helpings should increase significantly. The moral of the story is that Hollywood got it wrong. Carrots are not ideal for your pet rabbit. Hay or grass is the dietary staple. If you remember that one fact, your rabbit will thank you for it.
