Rabbits are amazing animals with beautiful coats of fur that make us want to pick them up and cuddle them. While pet rabbits are domesticated, and most can become relatively tolerant and accepting of snuggles, wild rabbits are a different story. Wild rabbits are always on the lookout since they are prey species and have several natural enemies.
Other than the differences in habitat, lifestyle, and social structure between wild and domesticated rabbits, all rabbits are pretty much the same. They reproduce in the same way, explore and move around in the same way, and eat similar foods.
However, wild rabbits forage for food, while domesticated rabbits must rely on their owners to provide the food they need to stay healthy. Some foods rabbits eat in the wild are unavailable to domesticated rabbits, so improvisation is required. Many foods that wild rabbits would rarely eat or show interest in, such as fruits and even the majority of vegetables, are often offered to pet rabbits, sometimes in excess and with detrimental effects on their health. Here is what you should know about what rabbits eat in the wild and as pets:
Various Grasses & Hays
All rabbits are herbivores and do not eat meat. In the wild, rabbits eat grasses, clover, flowers, seedlings, and weeds as the bulk of their diets. They eat whatever kinds of grasses they come across, such as meadow, timothy, orchard, or any grass abundant in their habitat.
Wild rabbits eat tons of grass daily to meet their nutritional and fiber requirements. Some grasses in the form of hay can be found at the store and are specifically formulated for pet rabbits. Growing them at home can be time-consuming, space-intensive, and expensive since your domesticated rabbit eats so much of it.
Luckily, commercial hay is made of different grasses that are available in the wild. Another product used for feeding pet rabbits is commercial pellets. The grasses are broken down into shreds and then condensed into little pellets that are easy for rabbits to chew and digest. Rabbit pellets are dense in nutrition and calories, so they do not need to eat as much of it as they would unprocessed grass in the wild. Essential nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, are added to the pellets.
The texture of rabbit pellets is mostly all the same, which may get boring for some domesticated rabbits, while others may prefer them to hay. This can become problematic. A pet rabbit’s diet should be based on hay, making up for 85% of their daily food intake, as fiber is crucial in maintaining adequate dental and digestive health. Although tasty and nutritionally dense, pellet food should not make up more than 5% of their daily food, as it may lead to digestive problems, dental issues, and obesity.
Fruits & Vegetables
Wild rabbits rarely eat vegetables or fruits in the wild unless their usual food sources are scarce. A wild rabbit’s diet is based on grass, clover, seedlings, tree bark, weeds, flowers, and more. Pet rabbits should replicate their wild diets as closely as possible, so carrots and other veggies should be offered to them sparingly.
In addition to occasional carrot top treats, domestic rabbits should be offered a variety of dark leafy greens and herbs, such as romaine lettuce, watercress, cilantro, parsley, cabbage, broccoli, beet greens, kale, and other vegetables daily and in moderation, at no more than 10% of their daily food intake. This is in addition to the hay they should get in unlimited amounts and the small amount of pellets.
Fruits such as berries, bananas, apples, and melons should only be served sparingly once or twice weekly, as they may cause serious digestive issues and gut stasis, which can be life-threatening and contribute to obesity.
Babies vs. Adults
In the wild, rabbits spend all their time foraging for food and eat however much they need to fulfill their daily nutritional needs. In a household, rabbits can gain weight quickly if they’re fed fruits and veggies and eat too much because they are not nearly as active as wild rabbits are.
Young domestic rabbits should be offered an unlimited supply of alfalfa hay due to their high need for protein and calcium. However, when they reach about 7 months of age, depending on the breed, it is time to ask the veterinarian how many pellets and which type of hay they need to meet their dietary needs.
The average adult rabbit will eat about ¼ to ⅛ cup per 5 pounds (2.25 kilograms) of pellets and ¼ to ½ a cup of leafy green vegetables with an unlimited amount of fresh hay daily.
Final Thoughts
Domesticated rabbits should eat as close to a natural diet as possible, just like they would if they lived in the wild. Most rabbit owners are tempted to give their rabbits more veggies and fruits than they need, but this tends to be more harmful and without any real nutritional benefits. Their digestive system is very sensitive, and the delicate gut bacteria will easily get disrupted by excess carbs, leading to life-threatening gut stasis.
It is possible to mimic the wild rabbit’s diet by utilizing unlimited amounts of fresh, high-quality hay as the main staple while including a recommended amount of fresh greens, commercial pellets daily, and (very rarely) some fruits. What kinds of veggies are you most excited about feeding your pet rabbit? Share your thoughts with us in our comments section!
See also:
- Can Rabbits Eat Collard Greens? Is It Healthy?
- Can Rabbits Eat Chicken? Consumption Facts & Safety Guide
Featured Image Credit: Ellyy, Shutterstock
