More and more households have a rabbit as a companion animal among their members. For the coexistence to be successful and our rabbit to be in good health, it is important that, before adopting a rabbit, we inform ourselves about the veterinary care, accommodation or food that the rabbit will need for its welfare. In this article, we will focus on feeding and answer the question can rabbits eat grapes.
Can rabbits eat grapes?
Yes. Rabbit can grapes. The feeding of rabbits in their natural environment would be basically grass. They are strict vegetarians and we have to take this into account when designing their menu, which must be based on hay and fresh herbs such as dandelion or clover.
Hay for rabbits
Although there are commercial foods for rabbits, it is not convenient to offer them as a single food, as they are a source of dental and intestinal problems. They cannot account for more than 20-30% of the total diet and their protein percentage must be less than 16%. On the other hand, hay is going to ensure a correct intestinal transit and, in addition, it helps to wear down the teeth, essential because the teeth of rabbits grow throughout their lives. You just have to be careful with alfalfa because it contains a large amount of calcium and prolonged and excessive consumption of this mineral is associated with some diseases such as calcifications or kidney failure.
Fruits and vegetables for rabbits
Hay should always be freely available to the rabbit. If, in addition, it has been dried in the sun, we take advantage of their contribution of vitamin D. We must also provide them with vegetables and fruits, but in less quantity, and better from three months. Before or if we exceed the quantity offered, intestinal problems can be triggered. Therefore, rabbits can eat grapes and other fruits.
My rabbit does not eat
An inadequate diet can cause the rabbit to stop eating, decrease its activity, appreciate it weakened, present a dilated abdomen, stop defecating or make fewer stools than usual and with an altered consistency. Furthermore, the lack of fiber is equally damaging and its insufficiency is a cause of decreased intestinal motility, food retention or, directly, life-threatening intestinal paralysis. Therefore, if in 24 hours your rabbit does not eat or drink, it is essential that you go to the vet as soon as possible.
How much does a rabbit eat per day
Following the instructions provided in the previous section, it is essential to choose good hay and always leave it within reach of the rabbit so that it can feed at its own pace. On the other hand, it is important to note that it must be changed daily. Better to use a container designed to place this food, also known as “henera”, since the hay that falls to the ground is going to be trampled and dirtied instead of eating, so it will have to be thrown away. In order for the rabbit to catch it well from the mentioned henera, the strands must be long enough.
In addition, we can add fresh vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, chard or spinach, which constitute a good contribution of calcium. It is also possible to give it carrots and fruits since rabbits can eat grapes, apples, pears, melon, watermelon or pineapple. If we want to feed it, of course, it must be specifically formulated for rabbits, but it is not convenient to offer large quantities.
Approximately, on average, just one tablespoon a day per kg of weight is enough, as explained in this other article on the Amount of daily food for rabbits. It is better to offer it in pellets since of the mixtures it is usual for the rabbit to select and eat only the foods of its liking, with which the diet will not be balanced. Finally, we cannot forget to always leave clean and fresh water at your disposal. For this, it will have to be changed frequently.
Vegetables and plants that rabbits can eat
In addition to hay, it is recommended to offer the rabbit fibrous vegetables that add vitamins to the diet that are lost during hay processing. Some of them are:
- Fresh alfalfa.
- Grass.
- Fruit tree leaves.
- Carrot leaves.
- Mulberry leaves.
- Blackberry leaves.
- Canons.
- Cress.
- Arugula.
- Endive.
- Parsley.
- Spinach.
- Broccoli.
- Cauliflower leaves.
- Celery.
- Endive.
- Cabbage.
All of them can be consumed daily and just need a pre-wash before offering them. As we have said, rabbits can eat green and black grapes, as well as other fruits, but, in this case, it is necessary to give them in moderation, even just as prizes, that is, occasionally, due to their high content. of sugar. The same is true of other vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, or the like.
Can rabbits eat raisins?
While grapes can be offered in moderation, raisins are not the same. They contain a higher amount of sugar, which makes them undesirable food for this species. If from time to time we give them one, nothing will happen to them, but we cannot add them to the diet on a regular basis or allow the rabbit to eat large amounts. Remember that an unbalanced diet is a source of health problems.
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