Clarity about feeding rabbits

[kooldude1305]

Hi,
Is there any one website that gives accurate information about what rabbits can and cannot eat, like some websites say they can be fed kale and spinach while some websites say they can’t. I just want to have some clarity about what they should and should not be fed. I have two dwarf cross bunnies.
Thanks.

 

[Preitler]

A pretty good sum up:

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/free-food-for-rabbits
My take is that I try to keep their diet as diverse as feasable, this reducing the risks of getting too much of one thing, or getting problems because of something new.

Kale and spinach can be fed in moderate amounts, spinach is rather high in calcium as far as I know and should not be given in too big amounts. Rabbits that don't grow, are pregnant or nurse don't need much calcium, and the way they get rid of excess is prone to some problems.

Feeding rabbits isn't rocket science, and there is more than one right way. Just keep in mind that rabbits evolved on a pretty meager diet of weeds and grasses, they need a lot of roughage for their digestion to work properly.

 

[Bee's Beautiful Bunnies]

I highly recommend this website: General Care

 

[Catlyn]

I highly recommend this website: General Care

That site seems a bit out of touch with every other resource i've come upon in this forum.
It's not the worst but there's something that just doesn't seem right. The most off statement i found while skimming through the page was that it puts shelter rabbits' shorter livespans on the fault of them being offered greens. I have come across various things why rabbits' livespans may be shorter than usual, but never because they were offered the right greens.

 

[Blue eyes]

As @Preitler mentions, variety and moderation are key. Somewhat mimicking what rabbits eat in the wild is roughly the guide. (This is contrary to some of the poor advice from the link provided above.)

The following page discusses greens for rabbits and includes two lists - one of greens safe for daily consumption, and one for those greens that should be more limited due to things like high calcium or oxolates. Both kale and spinach are on the "occasional" list.
https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/greens--veggies.html
The threads below from this forum give a general and a detailed overview of pet rabbit diet. They also explain why pellet feed should not be the primary part of a diet (as claimed in the lops link).
https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/a-proper-diet-for-pet-rabbits.101066/https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/importance-of-diet-in-rabbits.51597/

 

[FunBunMom]

to me this is just basic,
Hay- unlimited
Everything else- in moderation