What not to give rabbits

Rabbit nutrition at home is based on good hay, which should make up about 85% of the rabbit's diet. And any top dressing, including greens, is given in relatively small quantities - about two handfuls a day at a time or in two doses. Here's what not to give rabbits and what you can.

But first, let's talk about hay for rabbits, why it's important. In the wild, rabbits feed mainly on grass. They can graze up to 6-8 hours a day. Their entire digestive tract from the teeth to the end of the gastrointestinal tract is adapted to this diet and diet.

Providing domestic rabbits with grass hay is critical to maintaining HEALTH. Eating grass hay stimulates the long periods of chewing needed to grind down their ever-growing teeth and normal digestion. However, rabbits should not be fed alfalfa or clover hay, as these herbs are high in protein and calcium, which can lead to the formation of urinary stones with a constant diet. Alfalfa hay is introduced only when the rabbit is exhausted.

But even a skinny rabbit should not be given cereal mixtures - muesli intended for humans, as this leads to selective feeding, nutritional imbalance and obesity. For the same reason, do not give cookies and nuts. Sweet foods high in carbohydrates mean a high risk of enterotoxemia. Enterotoxemia in rabbits is a severe case of diarrhea, often fatal, due to an overgrowth of bacteria such as Clostridium in the caecum. Bacteria secrete a deadly toxin, and sugary, high-carbohydrate foods encourage bacteria to multiply. Therefore, sweet bananas are similarly banned. it is touching to see how a rabbit begs for a piece of banana, but such a treat affects the health of the animal negatively.

Chocolate contains two types of methylxanthines that are very harmful to ears: theobromine and caffeine. The higher the cocoa content, the higher the concentration of methylxanthines. As a result, high fever, sharp pains in the abdomen, the rabbit suffocates and trembles.

While most herbs and store-bought leafy vegetables are safe for rabbits, green onions are toxic, as are onions and garlic. Green onions can lead to hemolytic anemia (the red blood cells in the body become more fragile and some of them rupture). Negative consequences, such as anaphylactic shock, do not occur instantly, they appear as a cumulative effect. An oxidizing agent called n-propyl disulfide binds to the sides of red blood cells, is recognized by other cells as a foreign body, so the red blood cell is destroyed.

Iceberg lettuce is harmful to rabbits due to a chemical called lactucaria. Small amounts of lactucarii do not pose a serious threat, but a large serving of iceberg lettuce leads to diarrhea and weakness, small rabbits die from overeating iceberg lettuce.

Cauliflower is fraught with bloating. Moreover, white, Savoy cabbage, broccoli are safe.

Number one on the list of dangerous plants for rabbits is the avocado, a trendy item in the human diet but banned for rabbits due to the compound persin. If an excess of persin enters the rabbit's body, the animal will develop respiratory problems and heart failure with death. In second place after avocado, rhubarb causes inflammation of the mouth, diarrhea, bloating, thirst and death in rabbits.

Humans are much less sensitive to the aforementioned vegetables and fruits than rabbits, so we eat onions, garlic and avocados without fear, and rabbits are poisoned if the owner generously presents them with good intentions on the principle of "what is tasty to me is good to the rabbit."

Parsley in moderation is safe for eared pets. If you're giving a reasonable amount as part of a hay-based diet, you don't have to worry about the high oxalate or calcium content of parsley. To poison a rabbit with parsley, it would be necessary to feed the animals only to her.

A little about useful things on the shelves. Dill and cilantro are good sources of iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin A for rabbits. You can give about a handful or two as a serving size for an adult rabbit.

Peppermint is good for rabbits in terms of supplying iron, magnesium, potassium, copper, manganese, and vitamin A, and has a reputation for calming indigestion, as does thyme, fresh or dried.

Cucumber is not dangerous for rabbits, but due to the high amount of water, loose stools can occur if consumed in excess. A couple of thin slices twice a week is enough as a treat.

Finally, it is worth recalling that cat and dog food, which manufacturers enrich with calcium, are NOT intended for rabbits. Rabbits need a diet low in calcium - they process calcium differently than most other animals, and excess leads to various problems, including urinary stones.

For example, timothy hay usually has a calcium content of 0.4%, which is enough for a rabbit, especially if you give him a bunch of parsley from time to time. The rabbit definitely does not need dog and cat food.