Last updated: 21 Mar, 2023
Published on: 23 Mar, 2021
Are carrots the ideal bunny food? 🥕🤔
Carrots and rabbits have always had a popular association, further propagated by Bugs Bunny, an animated character with a fondness for nibbling on the orangey goodness.
While dear old Bugs may have fueled the misconception that rabbits are always eating carrots, this is not entirely true. Due to their high sugar content, root vegetables such as carrots should only be given to your rabbit in small quantities as too many can give them health problems such as obesity, digestive problems and tooth decay.
Are carrots good for rabbits?
Carrots are nutritious vegetables, rich in fibre, calcium and Vitamin A. But they are also high in starch and carbohydrates, which is why it’s important that your bunny eats a balanced diet.
Think of carrots for rabbits like a piece of chocolate for humans, i.e something that is better off as an occasional treat.
What should you feed your rabbit?
Hay is a staple for rabbits. Being grazers, rabbits prefer an unlimited supply of fresh hay every day. Grass hay is ideal - good types of grass hay for bunnies are timothy, orchard grass, brome, and oat hay. You can feed them either one type or a mixture, just ensure that you get the freshest hay possible and check for mould or dust, which could make your rabbit sick.
Rabbits are herbivores and certainly enjoy vegetables. Most veggies are good for rabbits, with a couple of exceptions. The recommended serving of fresh vegetables for adults is around two cups, whereas smaller rabbits can suffice with one cup. While a variety of two to three veggies is ideal, remember to introduce new vegetables slowly and monitor any adverse reactions such as diarrhoea.
What food to avoid giving your rabbit
Certain foods can potentially make your bunny sick. Try to avoid feeding your rabbit food such as human treats, beans, beet greens, cabbage, cauliflower, cereal, chocolate, corn or corn on the cob, crackers, iceberg lettuce, legumes, nuts, pasta, peas and potatoes.
Quantities also depend on what type of rabbit you have and their age.
Check out RSPCA’s tips on giving your rabbit a balanced diet