Good and Bad Foods: A Complete List

Amaranth is not regarded as a food you should feed rabbits; however, because it grows in warm-wet conditions people choose to feed it during summer when there is limited grass.

There are no real health benefits for rabbits, it is equivalent of feeding your rabbit lettuce.

They may get some fibre intake but nothing substantial.

Dose:
Max. 1/4 teaspoon a day.

Must be soaked for at least 2 hours in water prior.

Can be ground into a powder and added as a powder to the meal.

Benefits:

Helps when fibre intake is low, especially during warmer months when grass is not growing.

Vitamins and minerals.

From the amaranth plant.

Dangers:

Too many whole seeds can cause intestinal blockages.

Dose:

Quarter of an apple once a week for mature bunnies.
Under 6 months old – a single 2cm piece once a week.
Under 12 weeks of age – none.

Benefits:

Fights heart disease.
Fresh twigs, leaves and branches wear down teeth.
Good for digestion as it helps push food through gut.
High water content.

Dangers:

Very high in sugar.
Can cause digestive issues, tooth decay and kidney damage.
Don’t feed the core, stems and seeds as they are poisonous, they contain cyanide.
Can cause diarrhoea and excess caecotrophs.
Causes educed heart rate.
Can cause convulsions and respiratory congestion.
Wax on skin can cause GI stasis always wash thoroughly and then peel.
Crab apples contain more cyanide in core, seeds and stems than other varieties.

Dose:

0.25 teaspoon in 1 litre of water, given daily.

Benefits:

Has anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Stops fleas on rabbits because the fleas don’t like the smell, acts as a repellent.

Helps reduce the ammonia smell in bunny urine.

Prevents urinary tract problems like bladder sludge.

Reduces infections from organisms that cannot live in acidic urine.

Cleans up skin infections or weepy eyes.

Increases nutrient absorption capabilities of the GI tract as well as helping the while digestive process.

Boosts fertility – females may have more kits in a litter.

Makes does more willing to breed.

Makes fur more shiny and soft.

Get Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother which contains the raw enzymes and gut-friendly bacteria. Vinegars containing the Mother won’t be as clear as others. The Mother should have web-like substances in it. The Mother will be floating at the bottom of the bottle. The vinegar does not need refrigeration.

Dangers:

Must be diluted properly or can cause mouth, oesophagus and stomach lining issues.

Too much can cause tummy upsets.

If bunny has loose stools or diarrhoea lower amount used in water, or take it out completely for a couple of weeks.

There are three types of artichoke: Chinese, Globe and Jerusalem.

Never feed rabbits Chinese artichokes.

Jerusalem artichokes are too acidic. Never feed to rabbits.

Classic green globe artichokes (pictured above) are the best one to feed a rabbit, when fresh.

Dose:

Fruit:Feed in moderation. 3-4 fruit-leaves once every two weeks.

Cut leaves into thin horizontal strips to break up the fibre.

Stem:One 2cm long piece cut into thin rounds. Once every two weeks.

Leaves: 3-4 in a meal once a week.

Benefits:

High in fibre. Good for teeth.

Dangers:

Digestion issues. Irritation of bowels.

Possible overdose can cause GI stasis.

Too much, too often will cause acid build up in the gut.

Dose:

Handful for a medium sized mature bunny (>2kg), once times a week.

Young (12+ weeks) and dwarf bunnies get a few leaves, once a week.

Don’t feed to under 12 week old rabbits as it can cause digestive tract irritation.

Benefits:

Healthy bones and teeth.

Boost immune system.

Nerve health.

Regulates calcium production in kidneys.

Dangers:

Too much can cause blood calcium levels to rise to dangerous levels.

Digestive problems.

Not much fibre, can cause a blockage.

Can cause urinary stones.

Only feed uncooked, raw asparagus to your rabbit.

It will make your bunny’s urine smell differently.

Dose:

Maximum:1 full stem every two weeks.

Can be cut into rounds.

Minimum:2-3 thin rounds can be given every two days.

Benefits:

High in fibre.

Rich in vitamins A, C, K, folate and potassium.

Helps prevent GI issues.

Keeps bunny regular.

Aids digestion

Dangers:

Too much can cause digestion issues. Irritation of bowels.

Possible overdose can cause GI stasis.

Also known as egg plant.

Only feed uncooked, raw aubergine to your rabbit.

They have a lot of sugar and calcium in them.

Never feed the leaves, stems or roots.

Dose:

One round slice every week.

Benefits:

Can boost mineral and vitamin levels.

Dangers:

Contains Vitamin C, which can be dangerous.

Too much can upset other vitamin and mineral balances.

High in starch.

Sugar level is high and can cause excess caecotroph production if fed too much in a short time.

Diarrhoea.

Bloating.

Aubergines are related to the Deadly Nightshade family.

Dose:

One piece no bigger than adult thumb, once a week.

Or a 2cm piece every second day.

Benefits:

Green-tinged bananas are better for bunnies due to less sugars.

It is a muscle relaxant.

Improves sleep.

Good for the heart.

Regulates digestive tract.

Prevents dehydration.

Improves immune system.

Metabolises carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Boosts red blood cell production.

Helps with bone development.

Dangers:

Becomes addictive due to high sugar content.

Rabbit can lose interest in other foods.

Starch and sugar get turned to fat.

Can cause GI stasis.

Can cause myiasis.

Pregnancy toxaemia.

Overripe bananas can cause gas.

Obesity.

Dose:

As part of bunny’s daily meal.

Max. 2 stems a day.

Benefits:

Has a high concentration of phytochemicals that give it the inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

Also helps maintain the health of bunny fur and skin.

Helps counter health complications associates with diabetes.

Has anti-inflammatory properties.

Contains essential oils.

Contains adaptogen, an anti-stress, anxiety and depression substance.

Detoxifies.

Good for the liver.

Purifies blood.

Prevents skin infections, urinary, respiratory and abdominal infections.

Dangers:

Too much basil can cause cancer.

Slows blood clotting and increases the risk of bleeding.

Lowers blood pressure.

Can cause stomach problems by killing important gut bacteria.

Dose:

2 beans once a week for mature bunnies.

Under 12 weeks – none.

12 weeks – 6 months – 1 bean every two weeks.

Benefits:

Mix with carrot tops, kale, coriander, dill etc.

Immune system support, heart health.

High in fibre.

Dangers:

Kidneys may suffer and be put under strain if given too many beans.

Obesity.

Abdominal problems.

Indigestion.

GI stasis.

Can cause constipation and/or diarrhoea.

Frozen beans are dangerous.

Dehydrated beans are preserved in sugar. Do not let bunnies consume dried beans.

Dose:

Max. 6 leaves every night.

Benefits:

Energy boost (good after zoomies).

Good for growth in young rabbits.

Aids the function of the nervous system.

Dangers:

Accumulative issues if fed too often.

Runny/soft stools.

Digestive problems.

Gut flora changes.

GI stasis.

Lethargy.

Weight gain.

Muscle weakness.

Death.

Anger.

Refuse to play.

Isolate itself from playing with other bunnies (pain).

Dose:

Very small amount, once a week.

Mature middle-sized (>2kg) bunnies can only have 2 slithers a day.

Young rabbits under 12 weeks – none.

Benefits:

Maintain blood glucose.

Healing wounds.

Anti-oxidant.

Anti fungal properties.

Anti-inflammatory.

Anti diabetic.

Anticancer.

Neuroprotective.

Antibacterial.

Improves metabolism.

Helps with easing anxiety.

Manages diarrhoea.

Dangers:

Allergic reactions.

Gas.

In excessive amounts stomach pain.

Panting, sweating.

Runny nose.

Pregnant and nursing does should not have capsicum.

Heartburn.

Dose:

Moderate amount given as a treat, use as often as needed.

Benefits:

Bark from a Birch tree is the pain reliever.

Make sure no sprayed chemicals are on the tree.

Bunnies can eat the leaves too, they have anti-inflammatory properties.

Good source of fibre.

Also a diuretic, so bunny will drink more water, and urinate more – aka “irrigation therapy”.

Treats urinary tract infections.

Helps relieving arthritis, achy joints, loss of hair, skin rashes.

Purifies the blood.

Dangers:

The Birch nuts contain saponins and thiaminase which can cause serious untreatable illness and eventually death.

Dose:

Small amount, given as needed (no more than 5% of weekly diet)

Benefits:

Used for cooling in summer, increases circulation.

Stimulates appetite.

Safe introductory green for kits.

Can eat leaves, sticks/twigs/branches and berries.

Make sure it’s chemical free by washing it with fresh water.

Dangers:

Berries are not safe for kits under 12 weeks.

Can upset stomach pH and bring on GI stasis.

Soft stools.

High in sugar/low in fibre.

Causes mouth bacteria issues.

Can cause dental pain.

Risk of obesity.

Brown, wilting or red-stained leaves are dangerous.

Dose:

1-2 blueberries a week

Benefits:

Lowers blood sugar.

Improve blood flow.

Reduce risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes.

Dangers:

Stomach issues.

Dental problems.

Obesity.

GI stasis.

Bloating.

Gas.

Diarrhoea.

Dose:

0.5 cup of chopped green leaves per kg once a week.

Start slowly with small pieces.

Benefits:

Fights cancer.

Strong bones.

Maintains blood pressure.

Healthy heart.

Anti-inflammatory.

Helps with sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory.

Dangers:

Health issues appear when given large quantities.

The white part can give bunny gas.

Diarrhoea.