My mom just bought some iceburg lettuce for my bunny. I just heard it was bad for them. But the other day I heard it was good, thats why she bought it. I feel bad now cause she bought it for him. Is it realy bad or good?
2007-07-05 09:29:14 · 10 answers · asked by Amanda 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I am a Veterinarian and will gladly answer your question. There are certain feeding guidelines to take into consideration when owning a pet rabbit.
Vegetables should make up a large portion of the diet. Depending on the size of the rabbit, 2-4 cups of fresh veggies should be given per day. A variety must be fed daily to ensure a balanced diet. If a rabbit is used to eating mainly pellets, the change must be made gradually to allow the rabbit's digestive system time to adjust. Only add one new vegetable to the diet at a time so if the rabbit has diarrhea or other problems it will be possible to tell which vegetable is the culprit. Suggested vegetable include carrots, carrot tops, parsley, broccoli, collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, turnip greens, endive, romaine lettuce, kale and spinach. However, kale, spinach and mustard greens are high in oxalates so their feeding should be limited to 3 meals per week. Beans, cauliflower, cabbage, and potatoes may cause problems and should be avoided. Iceberg lettuce has almost no nutritional value so should be avoided. Rhubarb should also be avoided (toxicity). Wash vegetables well, and only feed dandelions that are known to be pesticide free (try a health food store for organically grown dandelion greens).
Vegetables should be introduced to bunnies around 12 weeks of age, in small quantities and one at a time. As more vegetable are added watch for diarrhea and discontinue the most recently added vegetable if this occurs. Over time, the amount of vegetables fed is increased, and the amount of pellets decreased, so that by 1 year of age the adult feeding recommendations are followed.
2007-07-05 10:55:30 · answer #1 · answered by mystedmoonbeams 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Iceberg lettuce won't harm your bunny, it's just that it has hardly any nutritional value. That's why it's not really in our favor to eat it either. It's mostly water, so it can make your bunny's droppings a little gooey. Bright green, leafy lettuces like romaine have more nutritional value than that of the iceburg.
2007-07-05 09:50:35 · answer #2 · answered by vinyldestiny 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its better to feed ur rabbit rabbit food pellets, timothy hay and lots of water. Its ok as a treat to give it lettuce, celery and carrots once a week
2007-07-05 12:16:16 · answer #3 · answered by Cat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You heard correctly - iceberg lettuce should not be given to bunnies. Any source will tell you so. Red lettuce is OK.
Just say thanks to your mom but you can't use it - you'd feel a lot worse if it made your bunny ill!
Chalice
2007-07-05 11:10:02 · answer #4 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No rabbits shouldn't eat lettuce, it gives them tummy ache and as they can't break wind they end up with diarrhea.
2007-07-05 09:34:13 · answer #5 · answered by kaz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it hasn't frozen your rabbit by now it will probably be allright. Don't call the vet they will think you have a screw missing.
2016-05-19 00:43:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It just does not have any usefully vitamins, or minerals,
not that its really bad for him.
Its mostly water.
2007-07-05 09:36:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It cannot be digested properly and gives them stomach ache!
2007-07-05 09:37:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Providing your rabbit is not called Titanic you should be ok.
2007-07-05 09:36:32 · answer #9 · answered by jayemess 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
bad
2007-07-05 09:36:17 · answer #10 · answered by brig 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋