why do some people say that rabbits can't eat lettuce?

Question

just asking cuz i give lettuce to my rabbits twice a week and they seem fine?

Answer 1

All rabbits can eat lettuce in fact they love it but most varieties of lettuce are bad for their kidneys and you need to know which varieties are safe to safely feed it so it's safest not to feed it at all. Iceberg lettuce causes diarrhea. Never feed your rabbits lettuce or cole family vegetables such as cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, or broccoli . They can cause enteritis and possibly causing your rabbit to die. Potatoes and corn should also not be fed. Most other fruits & veges are OK and pellets are essential but lettuce you need to be careful with. Also I understand that apple pips and many pip fruit kernels are harmful to rabbits also so remove them before feeding the fruit. Your rabbits may seem OK so far you have been lucky and fluked the right type of lettuce to feed them or they luckily haven't developed enteritis. But in the end it's better to be safe than sorry. A small bit as a treat ocassionally is probably OK.

Answer 2

Can Rabbits Eat Lettuce

Answer 3

NO! He definitely needs other foods - lettuce is a treat food only, and only then in small amounts - it has very few nutrients, and can cause diarrhea in rabbits which can dehydrate them and cause significant health problems when fed as the main food source. If your bunny isn't happy with pellets anymore, it could indicate that his teeth are causing him trouble. You need to have him checked out by a vet if you haven't already. If you have, or once you have, I would suggest trying your bunny on good quality grass, timothy or lucerne/alfalfa hay. Lucerne/alfalfa hay is what the pellets are made of, so is very good for rabbits - particularly those who aren't eating pellets. He should also have access to some vegetables such as fresh carrots, broccoli, dark green cabbage leaves etc, as well as small amounts of fruit (these are treats too, so not too much fruit). If you have access to fresh grass, he'd do well to include that in his diet as well. There are plenty of options other than pellets that will have your rabbit eating healthily - you just need to find something he likes. The good quality hay should be number 1 on your list though - it's really vital for his health. Good luck with him - I hope he lives for many more healthy years.

Answer 4

Regular head lettuce is basically water with little nutrients. What they mean is it's not a healthy diet. A little once and a while will be fine. It can cause diarhea because of all the excess moisture if they get too much. Leaf lettuces have good nutrients and vitamins and a little more flavor and are healthier but still shouldn't be an exclusive meal.

Answer 5

It's not that a rabbit should not eat lettuce. Rabbits should not be fed a diet of only lettuce. They need more than lettuce.

Answer 6

Iceberg lettuce should not be given to any animal. It has no nutritional value. Dark green lettuce is much better for them, though shouldn't be their only food source.

Answer 7

I have a rabbit and I've never heard that...I give him lettuce too.

Answer 8

iceberg lettuce has no nutritional value and usually gives the animal diarrhea
any of the other lettuces are good

Answer 9

I used to feed lettuce all the time too.

Answer 10

Really, it's not can't eat lettuce, they shouldn't eat lettuce...well, not iceburg lettuce. Iceburg lettuce has NO nutritional value. It's just fiber and water. Try kale, collards, cabbage, romaine.