Does anyone know for sure and can back up their opinion with evidence, not just a web site that says so?I've read lots of conflicting advice about whether lettuce and broccoli are bad for rabbits?
First of all, brocolli contains loads of vitamins and is great for rabbits. Lettuce is not so good, as it contains a high water content which can give them diarrhoea. Rabbits can dehydrate very quickly and unfortunately sometimes it can be fatal. Not just because of the dehydration, but having diarrhoes can give them a messy bottom and if the weather is hot they can get flystrike where the fly lays its eggs in the poo, and the maggots pop out and eat their way through the bunny.Not nice. And extreme agony for the rabbit. As for whoever is saying dont give them greens everyday, what do you think wild rabbits eat all day every day? A domestic rabbits digestive system is the same as that of its wild cousins and it is designed to digest greens, so a couple of tablespoons a day wont hurt at all, in fact it is good for them. The best veg to feed is spring greens, cabbage, carrots, and broccoli. You can also give a small amount of fruit such as apple or pear but not too much too often because the sugar content is quite high. I hope this information helps you and i hope your bunny lives to a ripe old age as so many of mine haveI've read lots of conflicting advice about whether lettuce and broccoli are bad for rabbits?
Leaf lettuces like Romaine are fine for a rabbit, DO NOT give it Iceberg lettuce! Iceberg has no nutrition and too much water. Broccoli is OK in small portions, but not daily since it can give them diarrhea.
Well, when I found my bun abandonned in a park, I was on holiday in Sydeny, so the only food we could get him at 9 at night was lettuce that a near by mac donalds donated for us.
Once we got him home, for the next week, there was no poo pellets in his cage. Occasionally a lump of runny poos. But he hardly crapped at all.
No idea about brocoli.
Give your bun carrots instead.
I've never given my rabbit broccoli, but I give her lettuce. I don't give her much and I don't give her iceberg lettuce - that holds the most water. I give her red leaf lettuce and take out the middle stem that holds most of the water and only give her the leafy bits. Again, in moderation because lettuce does hold water and can give them wet tail.
rabbits eat n e greens,but they love carrots-put a carrot(without the skin) in a saucepan and boil one its soft let them cool and give it 2 them -they love it,trust me
Never ever give lettuce to any animal, it has a very high water content which will kill them. Ask your vet for further information
It is the iodine in the iceburg variety that is bad for them. Cos and endive are fine
my aunts vet told us that they have a lot of water in them and cause diarrhea. they can also cause gas and rabbits can't burp of throw up so it stays stuck in their bellies and can possibly kill them.
My rabbit loves lettuce, it is fine for them to eat but don't give them too much as it can upset their tummys! Just a couple of big leaves every otherday wont hurt them, well mine is ok any way!
Iceburg lettuce has no nutritional value for a rabbit and can cause problems in a healthy animal. The white parts of the stem contain a watery sap that (over time) can make them sick. I avoid it totally. Try parsley, endive, raddish tops, carrot tops, Romaine or Kale. As far as broccoli, most (not all) rabbits can handle small amounts, but too much can cause a build up of digestive gas (which can cause them to stop eating).
Any fruits or vegetables fed to your rabbit need to be washed thoroughly to eliminate pesticides and residues. If you feed apples, avoid the seeds. Grapes and banana's are loaded with sugar and should be avoided (or fed in minuscule amounts...) Yes they love them, but they are not good for rabbits.
Fresh hay (timothy/alfalfa/etc.) is one of the best things you can feed your rabbit, with a measured well balanced pellet.
I only know that lettuce isn't good as it makes them have watery poo.
As for broccoli, my rabbits never had a problem eating that lol!!
Hope that helps
I dont believe lettuce or broccoli are bad or good for the rabbit. it wont kill them to have just a little. but it shouldnt be part of their diet. if you are looking to find a treat to give your rabbits, why not try dandylions? or if its winter, you can go to the petstore and get some yogurt drops for rabbits, mine love them, but only as the occasional treat.
I wouldn't feed your rabbits lettuce as its not good for them, and can upset their tummys! Broccoli is fine though, I've never had a problem, my 4 will eat broccoli fine, oh and carrots!
I guess it's all contradictory!!! I have a 3 year old calico mini rex who is the furry love of my life and she is spoiled rotten! She eats almost anything green! On a daily basis she gets 2 cups of greens. One in the morning and one at night. In each one of these cups there may be the following: Iceburg Lettuce... YES I SAID IT!! She eats is and she has never had the runs or any negative effects on her appetite. She also eats Kale, Romaine, Broccoli.. YES I SAID THIS ONE TOO!!! she eats Broccoli and has NEVER had a problem. She only eats 1/2 of a carrot a DAY, Cauliflower, dandelion greens, and 1/4 of a cup of Pellets a day. The following is a link for the Rescue I volunteer for, and they have many hapy healthy buns that live to be 10+ years old!! I trust them, and they are worth a look!
http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/articles/ba鈥?/a>
I work for the largest rabbit and guinea pig rescue in SE England and they do not give any lettuce to the rabbits as it contains an enzyme that slows the gut and makes them sleepy. They give the animals, carrots, cauli, broccoli, parsley, brussel sprouts, apples and pears and other things. Use the RWA website for a comprehensive list of all the fruit, vegetable and plants that are ok for your bunny.
lettuce has no nutritional value to rabbits and because of its water content it can cause tummy upsets and diarrhoea so don't feed to your rabbit although broccoli is fine in moderation. rabbits should be fed less than an ounce a day of greens so that they can digest it properly.
not as bad as 60 mins at gas mark 4
Hi! You can give certain types of lettuce to rabbits, in moderation. They can have red leaf lettuce, green leaf lettuce, Kale, spinach, radishes, and of course carrots. NEVER give a rabbit iceberg lettuce. I don't let my rabbits have greens everyday, and when they do have them, its a small amount. My rabbits eat mostly timothy hay. They get Kaytee rabbit food and store bought treats and chew items.
