Can Rabbits Eat Bread?

Can Rabbits Eat Bread?

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Bread is comforting and enjoyable, and it’s as satisfying as it is versatile. Most people enjoy bread and if you’re one of them, you might be wondering if it’s OK to share some with your pet.

In case you’re in a big hurry, here’s the answer: “Yes, rabbits can eat bread – but they really shouldn’t.”

Luckily, there are many other healthy treats you can give your bunny. Keep reading to learn all about why bread and baked goods aren’t really suitable for rabbits, and which alternatives are best.

Bread Nutrition Stats

Bread isn’t good for rabbits, but it can be perfectly healthy for you! Do check the label on your favorite brand, since nutrition varies from one variety to the next.

The average slice of whole wheat bread offers:

• 128 calories
• 6 g carbohydrates
• 8 g fiber
• 8 g protein
• 5 g fat

Bread Nutritional Facts

Again, you’ll want to check your bread’s label to see which nutrients it provides.

That same average slice of whole wheat bread gives you:

• .3 mg manganese
• .8 mg iron
• 6 mcg selenium
• 22 mcg folate
• .1 mg riboflavin
• .8 mg niacin
• .1 mg thiamine
• .1 mg copper
• 2 mg phosphorus

Can Rabbits Have Bread?

Yes and no. Bread isn’t found on our list of toxic foods for rabbits, so it won’t poison your bunny. At the same time, bread isn’t on a rabbit’s natural diet.

Is Bread Good For Rabbits?

Here’s the thing. Even though bread does contain some important nutrients, your rabbit gets these from other, healthier sources.

Let’s take things one step further. Bread might not be toxic, but rabbits really shouldn’t eat it since it is very high in the types of carbohydrates and starches that can make a rabbit very sick.

Do Rabbits Like Bread?

It’s safe to say that rabbits like bread but this doesn’t mean that it’s a good choice for them. After all, there are lots of things we humans like that aren’t good for us!

How Much Bread Can A Rabbit Eat?

Really, rabbits shouldn’t eat bread. But here’s how much bread to feed your rabbit if you do decide to try it:

If you’re bound and determined to give your bunny a little bit of bread, make it just a tiny nibble. Your rabbit is far better off sticking to a diet of hay, fiber-rich rabbit food, and a few natural treats, though.

How Often Can A Rabbit Eat Bread?

Not all that often!

We’ve opted to never give our bunnies bread, and we hope you make the best choice for your rabbit’s health, too.

If you do give bread to your rabbit though, make it a very rare treat – one that’s offered perhaps once a month or less.

The Correct Diet Is Important

Since bread is off the menu, what do rabbits eat?

The answer might surprise you. Wild rabbits eat a wide variety of long-stemmed grasses and leafy plants. They spend most of their time nibbling at this and that; in fact, the fibrous plants they eat keep their digestive tract moving!

Without all that adorable nibbling, your rabbit could develop GI stasis, which is a dangerous condition that can cause serious illness or death.

Nibbling hay helps keep your rabbit’s teeth at the right length. Remember to keep safe, chewable rabbit toys available to your bunny, too!

So, what should you be feeding your rabbit instead of bread?

We don’t want to scare you but unhelpful treats like bread take up space in your rabbit’s digestive system and don’t help move things along the way fibrous plants do.

• Fresh hay is the cornerstone of your rabbit’s diet. Varieties like oat, orchard, and Timothy are ideal, and your bunny ought to have an unlimited supply. While overeating certain things (like bread!) can make your rabbit sick, constantly nibbling hay is a healthy habit.
• High-quality rabbit food is essential. Check the package to see how much you should feed your bunny based on their size and life stage.
• Fresh foods aren’t necessary but they’re nice to have. You can offer your rabbit about one cup of leafy greens plus a tablespoon of crunchy veggies per two pounds of body weight.
• Tiny amounts of fruit can be offered occasionally as a special treat. Research each type of fruit you consider for your bunny; in general though, the correct amount is about 1 teaspoon of fruit per 2 pounds of body weight.

Remember to keep your bunny’s water bottle full and rinse it every day. And, remember to give your rabbit 24/7 access to chewable toys that help keep their teeth at the proper length.

What Are Other Healthy Alternatives To Bread In A Rabbit’s Diet?

Now that you know just how bad baked goods are for bunnies, why not offer healthy treats instead? Rabbits like a variety of herbs and vegetables. Here are some bunny-approved options to try:

• basil
• parsley
• cilantro
• carrot tops
• swiss chard
• beet greens
• radish tops
• spinach
• arugula
• romaine lettuce
• butter lettuce
• cabbage
• brussel sprouts
• broccoli
• dandelion greens
• endive
• escarole
• fennel
• bok choy
• yu choy
• kale
• carrots
• bell peppers

There are many other vegetables that are safe for rabbits, and many fruits are good for bunnies, too!

Always look for information about new foods you’re considering as this is the best way to ensure safety. Within minutes, you’ll know if a new food is OK for your bunny, plus you’ll know exactly how much they can have.

Now that you know that giving your rabbit bread isn’t the best idea, why not learn about some other healthy foods rabbits can eat?

There are lots of ways to treat your bunny without risking their health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bread safe for rabbits?

It’s usually safe to give a rabbit bread in very small amounts – think a tiny taste, but no more than that. Bread and other baked goods such as cookies, muffins, rolls, and pastries are full of starches and sugars that rabbits have a difficult time processing. Too much can make them very sick or even kill them.

Can bread make my rabbit sick?

Yes, and that’s why we really do not recommend feeding bread to rabbits. Your pet’s digestive system is designed to handle lots of cellulose, which is a type of plant fiber that’s highly concentrated in grasses. Without enough of this fiber, your rabbit could develop GI stasis, which can be a death sentence. A tiny fragment of bread mixed in with your rabbit’s usual hay intake should not cause serious trouble, but any more than that could be life-threatening.