Do rabbits need hay if they eat grass?
Good quality hay and/or grass, always available, should constitute the majority of rabbits’ diets. – Rabbits graze, naturally eating grass/other plants for long periods, mainly at dawn and dusk. – Rabbits’ digestive systems need grass and/or hay to function properly.
Can bunnies eat grass?
Just as their wild counterpart, a domestic rabbit will always opt to eat fresh grass over hay, and eat it with fervour too! Please Note: If a rabbit is not used to eating grass, you should introduce it into their diet slowly.
What should I feed my rabbit if I don’t have hay?
Green, leafy vegetables are good for bunnies. You can include arugula, basil, bok choy, broccoli leaves, carrot tops, celery, clover, collard greens, dandelion leaves, dill, endive, kale in small quantities, romaine and dark leaf lettuce, mint, mustard greens, parsley, and watercress.
Can rabbits just eat grass instead of hay?
Rabbits Eat A Lot of Grass!
Grass is more nutritious than hay as hay is dried, causing some of the beneficial vitamins & minerals to fade over time. Just as their wild counterpart, a domestic rabbit will always opt to eat fresh grass over hay, and eat it with fervour too!
Is it okay for a rabbit to not eat hay?
Many healthy rabbits will turn up their noses at hay because they are offered excessive amounts of pelleted food. This is because most rabbits prefer pellets to hay. Rabbit pellets are predominantly made of carbohydrates, and like most people, rabbits love their carbs and will choose them over fiber (hay).
Is it OK for rabbits to eat grass instead of hay?
Rabbits can eat grass instead of hay, however it’s not a change that should be made overnight. This kind of major change in a rabbits diet needs to be made in a slow transition over the course of a few weeks.
Can rabbits eat grass everyday?
What do rabbits eat? Rabbits should have a daily diet of mostly hay, a smaller amount of fresh vegetables, and a limited number of pellets. Hay is the most important part of a rabbit’s daily intake. Unlimited, high-quality grass hay, such as Timothy, orchard or brome, should make up the bulk of a rabbit’s diet.
What can I feed rabbit instead of hay?
Rabbits love anything leafy green. Lettuce, leaf lettuce, kale, spinach and dandelion greens, most flowers but especially petunias, carrots are a favorite too. Your local produce manager will be glad to provide the outer leafs and other waste at no cost or very cheap. Good luck.
Can my bunny eat grass instead of hay?
Grass is more nutritious than hay as hay is dried, causing some of the beneficial vitamins & minerals to fade over time. Just as their wild counterpart, a domestic rabbit will always opt to eat fresh grass over hay, and eat it with fervour too!
What do you feed rabbits if there is no hay?
While the best hay for rabbits is Timothy Hay, you can also feed them Orchard Grass or Mountain Grass as long as it is fresh and high quality. You’ll also want to watch their water bowl, making sure it is always full of clean water.Contrary to popular belief, rabbits need to eat more than just carrots and lettuce. They require a balanced diet of hay, fresh veggies and fruit, and a few pellets.
- Bell peppers.
- Bok choy.
- Brussels sprouts.
- Carrot tops.
- Cucumber.
- Endive.
- Escarole.
- Fennel.
What You Can Feed
- Fresh Vegetables. A handful of fresh vegetables like carrot tops (but not carrots because of the high sugar content); celery, cauliflower, broccoli (but not stems and tops) and greens should be given every day.
- Hay.
- Grass.
- Weeds.
- Dried Foods.
- Human Food.
- Bulbs.
- Peanuts and Raisins.
What can rabbits eat if you run out of food?
Rabbits enjoy fresh fruits and veggies, such as blueberries, arugula, basil, cilantro, endives, carrots and carrot tops, apples and most dark leafy vegetables. Fresh foods that are safe for rabbits are rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins while being relatively low in sugar and acid.
Can bunnies survive without hay?
Technically, they can live without hay for years, but it’s not good for them to go without for too long. The chewing hay helps wear down the teeth, it’s high fiber, helps keep their gut moving, etc.
What is a good substitute for Timothy Hay for rabbits?
For pets and owners who are allergic to Timothy Hay, Orchard Grass can be a great alternative. Orchard Grass is great for digestive health and can be fed free-choice to your rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas. Soft Orchard Grass has long soft grass blades, minimal seed heads and fewer stalks than other types of hay.What human foods can rabbits eat?
- Fruit. Pretty much any fruit will make a good sweet treat, though the high sugar content means it should only be given in moderation.
- Vegetables. Similarly, most vegetables are safe for rabbits to eat.
- Herbs.
- Garden plants.
- Chocolate.
- Iceberg Lettuce.
- Avocado.
- Meat.
What happens if I don’t give my rabbit hay?
Hay keeps the gut moving
Blockages can often be fatal. If a rabbit doesn’t eat enough hay then this can slow down the rabbit’s intestinal functions and cause serious problems eg. GI Stasis (see below).
Which type of hay is best for rabbits?
Alfalfa Hay: The Ideal Treat for Grown Rabbits
That’s because Alfalfa (a legume) is more nutritionally dense than grass hay varieties, with higher percentages of calcium and protein.