Last Updated on May 8, 2023 by Georgie Smith
It is no secret that rabbits love their share of veggies. However, you have probably read that some vegetables are not as suitable for a rabbit as others. Domestic rabbits are typically easy to feed if you gather enough information.
Rabbits that are young, (six months and younger) thrive well living on just Timothy Hay. Oat hay and grass hay are good for them to eat as well. There are some veggies, including these:
- Watercress
- Spinach
- Dark Green Lettuce
- Endive
- Alfalfa Sprouts
- Brussel Sprouts
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Turnips
- Artichoke
Also, make sure your rabbit has an unlimited amount of clean water. Tossing in some pellets now and then is okay but those are not as necessary as water and timothy hay. Once a domestic rabbit turns six months, you can test the waters with small inventive ideas with her meal.
Introducing a variety of acceptable green leafy veggies to her diet is good to find healthy treats. Leafy green veggies are not hard to find while shopping in the fresh produce section of the grocery store. The lush types of green foods stacked in a basket are simple to identify.
Moreover, the good news is, that you can buy all you want beings these types of veggies are usually cheaper compared to fruits. In this article, we talk about rabbits and if cabbage is a tasty, healthy vegetable to feed domestic rabbits.
Cabbage and Rabbits
People around the globe harvest cabbage for food. In fact, in 2016, a staggering person yearly consumption of fresh cabbage averaged around 5.8 pounds per adult person and 1.3 pounds of the canned product.
Moreover, it continues to be a suggested option of fresh vegetable items in a rabbit’s regular diet. That is just fine with rabbit owners because cabbages are easy to find in stores all year long. The leafy green food is low cost and can last for many days in the fridge.
However, just because it is available, does that mean it is good to feed your rabbit. If so, what type of cabbage is the better option, and can rabbits eat too much and too often? [1]
Can My Rabbit Have a Steady Diet of Cabbage?
Cabbage, as most know, is a type of leafy, green veggie. Most veterinarians and animal professionals recommend it to add to your rabbit’s diet. Some rabbit owners report that their rabbit appears bloated after feeding on cabbage.
However, bloating is no reason to panic as cabbage is easy to digest. Regardless of the type of cabbage you buy, include these:
- Bok Choy
- Green Cabbage
- Red Cabbage
- Savoy Cabbage
Each ensures they are safe for your rabbit’s Lagomorphic system.
Introducing Cabbage One Step at a Time
Feeding your domestic rabbit some cabbage is fine, just do so as slowly as possible to monitor her behavior. Slowly and in small pieces is the key. First, feed her a leaf of cabbage just to see how she reacts to it.
Any time you introduce a new food to your bunny, there is no guarantee she will like it at first. It sometimes takes rabbits some time to eat a new item before they grow a steady love for the taste and texture.
At the closing of the day, your bunny’s diet should always include around 10 -15 percent fresh food, 5 to 10 percent (or less) rabbit pellets, and finally, 80 percent hay. While there should never be an issue feeding your pet rabbit cabbage, there are many who will argue that point.
The reason for this “agreement to disagree” is due to cabbage causing an abundance of gas in her digestive tract. When gas progresses, two things can happen. First, the rabbit can have runny stools or painful bloating due to gas.
That should only happen if the rabbit does not digest the cabbage in its entirety. The cause of this is due to it devouring the cabbage quickly and in excessive amounts. One other explanation is her digestive tract is more sensitive than usual. [2]
While raising rabbits, you more than likely notice that they tend to finish all their food on their plate quickly. That is especially true if what’s on the plate is a favorite. Rabbits tend to ravish everything put in front of them.
Stick to Moderation
Remember, it is best if you limit the amount of cabbage that you feed her in limited amounts. Five pieces of cabbage leaves or less is plenty for nutritional value as long as she is handling it well. If you find her not particularly fond of the veggie, do not try to force her to eat it all. Remove the plate and replace it with her hay and try the cabbage at a later time.
Herbs are another healthy snack to feed your rabbit. Be careful with the ones that have really strong scents. Until you are sure, she will like the taste, watch her reaction while eating herbs. Some rabbits love herbs while others cannot get past the smell and taste.
Why Feed My Rabbit Cabbage?
Varieties of dark green leafy veggies such as savoy cabbage have a ton of minerals and vitamins. This type of cabbage provides a healthy source of B6. B6 is essential due to how it breaks down the proteins and establishes new ones which are crucial for regular muscle function.
Cabbage also has tons of calcium, which is excellent for your rabbit if she needs consistent restoration of her teeth. Potassium is a superstar as well in cabbage as it plays a crucial role in a rabbit’s nervous system.
Also, vitamin K comes in a potent amount in cabbage. Most domestic rabbits do not need extra vitamin k while maintaining a healthy diet. However, it is crucial for a healthy pregnancy making it a welcomed supplemental source of Vitamin K often used for breeding sows’.
There are also small quantities of Phosphorous, vitamin E, zinc, and magnesium, all of which establish a part of a healthy rabbit’s nutrition.
FAQs:
Q: Can a rabbit really be litter trained and kept indoors?
A: Yes-rabbits are actually easier to litter train than cats. You use the same strategy to litter train a rabbit as you do a cat.
Q: Are there any tips you can give for house training a rabbit?
A: The best and most vital thing to do is to make your entire house rabbit-friendly. That means to hide all wires and paper and plastic items you want to keep.
Wrapping Things Up
While it is important that your rabbit has a well-balanced diet, adding cabbage is a healthy additive. With there being so many varieties of cabbage, you can add one new to her diet as long as it is digesting well and easy on her tummy.
Can you feed your rabbit cabbage? Yes, just in moderation. Remember to keep an eye on her when incorporating new cabbage treats to ensure her tummy is adjusting well.
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