Many plants consist of a naturally occurring chemical called alkaloids which are mild toxins used to protect themselves in the wild. The most commonly talked about with rabbits is oxalic acid which is harmless to humans and animals when consumed in small amounts. The amount of oxalic acid in a plant can vary due to the soil it grows in, its age, and the time of year. If your bunny has too much oxalic acid its kidneys can become damaged. These foods do not need to be cut completely from your bunny's diet, but they do need to be rationed, so mix it up!
Some safe vegetables (lower in oxalic acid) include:
Arugula
Carrots
Cucumber leaves
Endive
Frisee Lettuce
Kale
Romaine Lettuce
Zucchini
Some safe vegetables (higher in oxalic acid and should be rationed) include:
Parsley
Spinach
Vegetables shouldn't be given in great amounts. A six pound bunny should only eat from one and a half to two cups of vegetables a day. It is unhealthy for a rabbit to eat a lot of fruit, too. I recommend only one to two teaspoons a day at the most (depending on the size of your rabbit).
Some safe fruits include:
Apples (without the seeds)
Peaches
Bananas
Pears
Plums
Kiwis
Blueberries
Honey Dew Melons
Apricots
Rabbits should be introduced to vegetables and fruits around four months of age. When introducing new vegetables to your rabbit only give a little amount. Wait and see if this upsets your rabbit. If you see watery stool or sludge/ blood in urine stop feeding this to your rabbit and contact the veterinarian. If the urine is colored, it may be due to the pigment in the vegetables and is completely fine, if not normal. Not all rabbits are comfortable with certain vegetables. You need to design your rabbit's diet around its individual health issues.
If you would like more information on what fruits and vegetables your rabbit can eat, click here for a video.
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