Unlimited
hay, fresh vegetables and pellets are the "meat
and potatoes" of your pet's diet--but every self-respecting
rabbit will appreciate a delicious treat to eat on
occasion. Feeding inappropriate foods, however, can
upset your bunny's sensitive digestive system. As
a responsible caretaker, you'll need to inform yourself
about what's good--and what's not--for your animal
companion.
Miniature Rabbit Treats – Moderation Is Key
Most
rabbits love fresh fruits, and they make excellent
treats for your pet--when given in moderation! Experts recommend no more than one tablespoon of
fruit per day; good choices are papaya, banana,
peach, grapes, apple (no seeds, please!), melon
and strawberries. Fresh herbs such as basil, mint
and cilantro are yummy treats, too. Take care to
wash all fresh foods, and never offer your pet anything
that's spoiled or old.
Looking
for more healthy treats for your pet? Chew on this!
Untreated tree branches and twigs, when dried and
aged, will satisfy a rabbit's natural urge to gnaw
AND combat bunny boredom at the same time. Willow,
beech, linden, maple and some fruit trees are good
choices, but please note that apricot, cherry, and
peach branches are toxic to rabbits.
Homemade Rabbit Treats Like Fruits & Veggies Are Best
Rabbit
chew sticks, available at pet supply stores, can
also fulfill the need to chew, but should be given
only once every couple of weeks. You'll probably
find several brands to choose from, but please take
care to select the one that's made with more greens
than grains. Most other commercially packaged bunny
treats are high in fat and sugar, and can lead to
obesity. Many of these treats, for example, contain
4 to 5 percent fat--and that's way too much, considering
that companion rabbits should receive no more than
1.5 percent of their daily calories from fat.
Never
give your bunny bread or other human edibles that
are high in fat, sugar and carbohydrates, such as
seeds, nuts, chocolate or breakfast cereals. These
foods can cause a variety of problems, from obesity
and diarrhea to intestinal upset. And please note--just
because a food is on our list of recommended treats,
it may still disagree with your individual bunny.
If you notice that a particular treat causes upset
stomach or diarrhea, it's best to discontinue that
food.
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