If we ask anyone to tell us what rabbits eat, a very high percentage of them will answer, without thinking twice, what carrot. But can rabbits eat carrots?
The answer is yes, but in good measure. It is a very sweet food, which can cause various damages to their body.
Can rabbits eat carrot?
The whole carrot is not recommended due to its excessive sugar content, however, you will love the leaves and they will seem delicious.
The high sugar content in carrots causes digestive problems. It takes a lot of energy to process these sugars, and therefore the energy levels of those sugars would lead to obesity and other long-term health problems. In addition, it can also generate many dental problems.
That is why we should only give our rabbit carrot on certain occasions and in small portions.
Something that we can give them without worrying is the carrot leaves, we will not have to worry about if they feel bad and you will also love them.
Where did the myth that rabbits can eat carrots all the time come from?
In 1934, Clark Gable starred in the movie It Happened One Night. In one of the scenes, this old-time hunk was chewing on a carrot. The cartoonists of Bugs Bunny were very amused and decided to parody it by giving the famous rabbit his new and inseparable companion.
The truth is that, if you want your pet to have a healthy and balanced diet, you should not feed it only carrots and you should not give it in large quantities either.
Benefits of carrot leaves
The roots of carrots are very rich in vitamin A, which makes them a natural supplement to the diet of many rabbits. This essential nutrient is vital for your rabbit’s vision, immune and reproductive systems, heart, lungs, and kidneys.
Types of carrots to feed your rabbit
For the best quality nutrition, always choose organic carrots, preferably with their leaves. This way, you can feed them both the low-sugar, high-fiber veggies as well as the richest, sweetest roots. Although carrots come in a variety of colors, they do not affect the value of the nutrients much; feel free to feed your rabbit any color of carrot.
So what should a rabbit eat?
The basis of a rabbit’s diet is hay. The power dwarf rabbit is a fundamental aspect of their care, as a direct impact on their health and wellbeing.
In general, we could divide the rabbit’s diet as follows:
- 70% -80% hay or fresh grass
- 20% fresh food (leafy vegetables or wild herbs). Keep in mind that they cannot eat all fruits and vegetables .
- Complements: high-end feed and healthy “sweets” or fruits as a reward.
- Without forgetting the most important element of your diet: water.
