“What’s up, doc”? Whenever someone asks what a rabbit’s favorite food is, most people immediately think of the famous Looney Tunes character Bugs Bunny, and assume it has to be carrots. After all, he is never seen without a carrot in his hand or his mouth.
So what is a rabbit’s favorite food?
A rabbit’s favorite food is grass hay such as Timothy, brome, or orchard grass hay. A healthy rabbit’s diet should consist of at least 80% grass hay to keep its digestive system in good condition. Other favorites may include rosemary, basil, bananas, spinach, and various other leafy greens and fruit.
Want to know more about a rabbit’s favorite food? We’ve got all the information you need in this detailed guide.
Foods That Can Be Considered Rabbit’s Favorite Food
To ensure your bun is healthy, they require a balanced diet of hay, fresh leafy greens, vegetables, and fruit, as well as a good quality pellet. Let’s take a closer look at a few foods that are considered a rabbit’s favorite food:
Weeds
Your bun will enjoy munching on some tasty weeds from your garden. However, it’s vital to ensure the weeds you give to your floppy-eared friend are free from herbicides and aren’t toxic for rabbits.
Here’s a list of some weeds that domestic and wild rabbits enjoy and are safe for them to eat:
- Clover
- Dandelion
- Chickweed
- Thistle
- Blackberry
- Bramble leaves
As a rule, avoid weeds grown from bulbs or that have had pesticides sprayed on them.
Ensure you wash the weeds before you give them to your bun.
If you own other animals such as dogs, they may have urinated on the weeds. This can spread bacteria, so it’s best to thoroughly rinse the weeds before feeding them to your bun.
Grass Hay
Rabbits love chewing on and eating hay. You must choose high-quality hay for your bun and avoid the grass that has a lot of dust on it. This can cause respiratory problems for your bun if inhaled.
Don’t buy hay that has a strange smell, is damp, or has mold growing on it. This type of hay can cause health issues for your buns, such as diarrhea and sniffles.
Here’s a list of some good options for hay to feed your bunny:
- Alfalfa hay (should only be fed to a rabbit up until the age of 7 months as it is very high in protein and calcium).
- Coarse or soft Orchard grass hay
- Timothy grass hay
- Mountain grass hay
Did you know? Rabbits have open-rooted teeth, which means their teeth just keep growing. To keep your bunny’s teeth filed down, they need to chew on hay and wood.
Fresh Herbs
Rabbits love to eat herbs, and the fresher they are, the better. Here’s a list of a few herbs that rabbits can enjoy safely:
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Tarragon
- Parsley
- Dill
- Lemon balm
Don’t give your bun hemlock, belladonna, eucalyptus, or echinacea, as these are toxic for rabbits.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
One of your bun’s favorite foods to eat is fresh fruit and vegetables. They’re packed with nutrients, and rabbits enjoy the taste. Here’s a list of some of a rabbit’s favorite fruit and vegetables:
- Bell peppers
- Carrot tops
- Banana
- Apple (remove the pips)
- Lettuce
- Nectarine
- Spinach
Adding these tasty fruits and veggies to your bun’s diet will provide excellent nutrients.
Avoid feeding your bunny potatoes and corn, as this can cause digestive problems such as gastrointestinal stasis. Plus, these kinds of veggies are high in sugar and provide little to no nutritional value for your rabbit.
What Human Foods Do Rabbits Eat?
It should come as no surprise that rabbits eat quite a lot of the same food humans do (if you follow a healthy diet). Let’s take a look at some human foods that rabbits can eat:
- Lettuce (not iceberg lettuce) and Bok Choy
- Kale
- Carrots
- Blueberries
- Basil
- Bell peppers
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Apples (not the seeds)
- Celery
- Asparagus
All of these foods are perfectly safe for your rabbit to eat. There are numerous human foods that rabbits should not eat, such as:
- Nuts
- Beans
- Corn
- Potatoes
- Dairy products
- Meat
- Breakfast cereals
- Biscuits
What Is a Rabbit’s Favorite Vegetable?
Typically, a rabbit’s favorite vegetable is fibrous leafy dark green lettuce like Romaine lettuce. This vegetable tastes nice, has a lovely crunch, and is refreshing (especially on hot days). Lettuce has a high fiber content and contains numerous vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and Vitamin C.
Don’t feed your bunny light-colored lettuce, such as iceberg lettuce, as it contains lactucarium (a chemical) that is toxic for rabbits.
What Are Bunnies’ Favorite Treats?
Your bunny has a sweet tooth, and they love eating treats. Unfortunately, treats don’t love them back if they’re given in big amounts.
Ensure you give your bun treats in small amounts, as overeating can cause digestive issues, obesity, and kidney disease.
Here’s a list of a few treats that bunnies enjoy:
- Apple (remove the pips)
- Blueberries
- Banana
- Cucumber
- Peas (including the pods and leaves)
- Watermelon
- Cherries (remove the pips)
- Apricots
The above treats are safe for your bun but contain high sugar levels. Ensure you feed your rabbit treats sparingly and avoid treats with high fat or starch content.
Store-bought treats are usually high in salt and sugar. Instead, make your own treats; that way, you’ll know what ingredients are used, and it’ll be healthier for your rabbit.
DIY dehydrated treats are a hit with rabbits and are a cheaper option
My Last Bunny Thoughts
Unlike the mischievous (and loveable) Bugs Bunny, most rabbits aren’t actually fond of carrots and should only eat the carrot tops.
Your floppy-eared companion has its own personality, likes, and dislikes. Just like humans (and all animals), rabbits prefer certain foods over others.
The best way to find out what food is your rabbit’s favorite is to provide them with a variety of foods in small amounts. If your bun doesn’t like something, they’ll turn their noses up and avoid eating it.
If they enjoy a food type, they’ll show you. They get excited and beg for more by standing on their hind legs and sniffing. Ensure you only give your bun 1 to 2 tablespoons of fresh fruit and vegetables daily.
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