There’s no denying that rabbits are cute, cuddly creatures who just want to be loved. But what you might not know is that they’re also pretty picky eaters.
Rabbits don’t like eating the same things every day. They get bored of their food easily, which can lead to some pretty exciting things happening in your backyard!
In this article, we’ll look at what rabbits eat in the winter and how to ensure your rabbit stays healthy throughout the year.
What Do Rabbits Eat in the Winter?
Rabbits are herbivores. For your rabbit, green foods including kale, turnip greens, and dandelion greens are the best.
You can also mix these with other vegetables like carrots, celery, cucumbers, and spinach.
In addition to these healthy foods, make sure you leave out fresh fruit like apples and pears. Rabbits love these foods too.
5 Foods Rabbits Can Eat in the Winter
In the winter, your rabbit needs more calories to keep warm and maintain body heat. Here are five things rabbits can eat in the winter:
1. Hay
Rabbits don’t hibernate like bears or other animals. They stay active all year long.
According to the RSPCA, hay is a staple food for rabbits because it provides fiber and roughage that helps with digestion.
Hay is typically available all year, even in the winter when it’s cold outside.
2. Vegetables
Vegetables are suitable for rabbits in moderation.
They don’t eat them like we do because they don’t have teeth, but they nibble on them, which helps wear down their teeth, so they don’t grow too long and make them uncomfortable.
A few vegetables that are safe for your bunny include carrots, squash, broccoli, parsley, and celery.
3. Fruit
Rabbits love fruit.
You can give them bananas and apples, but don’t overdo it because some fruits have a lot of sugar.
According to rabbit.org, you should limit fruit intake for your rabbit to one to two tablespoons.
4. Grass or Greens
Rabbits should get some green leafy vegetables in their diet as it makes up to 75% of a total diet.
However, they also need a balanced diet with fresh fruits and vegetables (except potatoes).
Check with your vet first before changing their diet too drastically, as some foods may not be safe for your rabbits to eat.
5. Fresh Water
Rabbits should have access to fresh water at all times.
If you notice that your bunny is drinking more than usual or is urinating more often than usual, it could be a sign of dehydration.
Will Wild Rabbits Eat Carrots?
We’ve seen rabbits eating carrots repeatedly, so the simple answer is yes. Wild rabbits will eat carrots.
However, not all rabbits are the same, and not all wild rabbits will eat carrots. Some of them may dislike the taste or texture of carrots, and some may even be allergic to them.
On the other hand, if a rabbit lives in a rural area with plenty of vegetables around, it’s likely to eat carrots regularly.
Do Rabbits Store Food for Winter?
Rabbits are prey animals and can’t store food for the winter.
They need a steady supply of nutritious food to keep them going through the cold months.
In fact, if you’re planning on keeping your rabbits outdoors, it’s best to bring them inside before the temperature drops too low.
If you keep them outdoors, your bunnies will have limited access to fresh water and shelter, which can lead to illness or death if they aren’t properly cared for.
Even indoor rabbits need plenty of room and access to fresh water at all times — especially in the winter months when they’re less active but still need a constant source of hydration.
Rabbits Eat Bird Seed?
Rabbits can certainly eat bird seed, but it’s not the best choice for their diet.
Bird seed is low in fiber and high in carbohydrates, which means that your rabbit might gain weight if you feed it too much of this food.
Also, if your rabbit overeats bird seed, it could develop health problems like dental disease or obesity.
If you want to give your rabbit some bird seed as a treat once in a while, make sure to limit how much you provide them, just enough to give them something interesting to chew on!
Conclusion
So, what do rabbits eat in the winter?
The answer is simple: they eat what they can!
You don’t have to worry about feeding your rabbit a balanced diet because their bodies are designed to survive on whatever they can find.
Even though this might not be ideal for us humans, it’s pretty amazing that these little animals can withstand so much and still thrive.
