Rabbits are herbivores and require a lot of fiber in their diet. When it comes to feeding your rabbit, there are some foods that are absolutely off-limits. If you’re thinking of treating Flopsy. Or another pet rabbit to something special and interesting as part of their daily diet, dog food might seem like a good option.
However, feeding your bunny dog food is not advisable as it doesn’t contain the right rabbit nutrients for them. It would be extremely harmful to your rabbit if they ate dog food on a regular basis. Let’s take a closer look at what will happen if you give your pet a bowl of doggie dinner instead of the usual hay and pellets…
What Is Dog Food?
Dog food is designed for dogs and typically contains high-quality protein to help build muscle and grow puppies. It is typically grain-based to ferment in their stomachs, which results in higher amounts of gas and less digestibility. Dog food is usually high in carbohydrates, low in fiber, and is nutritionally inappropriate for rabbits.
Rabbit Diet Basics
Rabbits have extremely sensitive digestive systems, and high-quality hay and pellets (protein) are the only things they should be eating. Rabbits are essentially the very sensitive digestive system and require high-quality hay and pellets.
Bunnies can be fed unlimited amounts of hay, which provides them with the necessary fiber to help them digest their food properly. Hay also helps rabbits maintain a healthy weight because they are very active.
If a rabbit is too heavy, they could have joint problems later in life. Pellets are the recommended source of protein and should be given to rabbits daily. Rabbits can be fed small amounts of vegetables, but should avoid fruits, roots, and seeds.
The Harm in Feeding Your Rabbit Dog Food
There are plenty of reasons why you should avoid feeding your rabbit dog food. The most obvious is that it doesn’t contain the right nutrients for your pet. Dog food is usually high in carbohydrates, low in fiber, and low in protein.
Also, dog food is often also very high in sodium, which is detrimental to rabbit health. As well as being much higher in fat than your rabbit’s usual diet, and it can result in obesity.
As a whole, dog food is also not very digestible, meaning it can cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Dog food is not appropriate for rabbits and can be harmful to their digestive system.
This post might be helpful:
What Happens When A Rabbit Eats Cat Food?
The Ingredients in Dog Food That Are Bad For Rabbits
Whilst dog food might be high in protein, it also contains high amounts of fat, which is not good for rabbits. All dog food is high in sodium, which is bad for rabbits.
Dog food also contains high amounts of calcium and phosphorus, which are required for dogs but not for rabbits. Plus, it also contains high amounts of sugar, which is bad for rabbits.
Rabbits are herbivores and require a lot of fiber in their diet. When it comes to feeding your rabbit, there are some foods that are absolutely off-limits. Feeding your bunny dog food is not advisable as it doesn’t contain the right nutrients for them. It would be extremely harmful to your rabbit if they ate dog food on a regular basis.
If you want to spoil your pet with something special, consider feeding them small amounts of vegetables or feeding them a small piece of lettuce. Alternatively, you can also buy bunny treats from your local pet store or online.
Hi! I’m Lala, and I’m the owner of RabbitLala.com. When I’m not writing about rabbits, I enjoy traveling, trying out new recipes and enjoying my hobbies.
I’ve always loved animals, so it was no surprise when I started a website devoted to one specific animal: rabbits! Rabbits are amazing creatures, and there’s so much to learn about them.
I love traveling and trying out new recipes, and my hobbies include crocheting and painting.