Rabbits love all things leafy green, but not all leafy greens are good for rabbits. So when it comes to offering your bunnies wheatgrass, is it a good or bad idea?
Fortunately, here at Hobby Farm Heaven we are ready to share all you need to know about wheat grass and rabbits.
Can Rabbits Eat Wheatgrass
Yes! Mature rabbits can and will eat wheatgrass in limited quantities. As with all foods, don’t feed wheat grass to the point where it replaces quality hay in your bunnies daily diet.
Read On To Learn All About Wheatgrass And Rabbits,
And Even How To Grow Wheatgrass At Home!
Wheatgrass is packed with a number of nutrients, including:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Calcium
- Amino acids
These essential nutrients make wheatgrass a perfect green treat for your mature bunnies.
What is Wheatgrass?
Wheatgrass is the new, as in just sprouted, leaves of the regular wheat plant. These baby leaves are extra tender and can be enjoyed raw by your rabbits or juiced for an extra powerful green juice for you!
How Much Wheat Grass Can Rabbits Eat?
While wheatgrass is filled with beneficial components for your bunnies, it does not and should never take the place of your rabbit’s access to unlimited hay. Remember, the best diet for rabbits consist of:
- Unlimited hay (75% to 80% hay)
- Quality pellets (10% to 15%)
- Leafy green vegetables (5% to 10%)
Because tender wheatgrass does not contain enough high fibers or provide necessary roughage for rabbit’s stomach bacteria it should be treated as a leafy green vegetable and remain as only 5-10% of your mature rabbit’s diet.
That means that mature rabbits can enjoy a handful or so of wheatgrass a day but no more. To ensure that your rabbit has sufficient hay, check out our post on How Much Hay To Feed A Rabbit.
Can Rabbits Eat Too Much Grass?
Yes, rabbits can eat too much grass. This is because rabbits love to nibble on grass but they aren’t wise enough to stop if presented with unlimited amounts.
If rabbits have full reign with grass they will soon find themselves with runny feces and an upset stomach. This is because, while green grasses offer different vitamins and nutrients to your rabbit, they cannot support the high-fiber demands of rabbits’ digestive systems and, if eaten in excess, can easily cause imbalance in the sensitive gut bacteria hosted in rabbits’ stomachs.
In addition, soft green grasses do not wear down your rabbits’ ever growing teeth like hay. So, offer green wheatgrass as a healthy supplement for your rabbit but not as a core part of their healthy rabbit diet.
Too much wheat grass can lead to digestive problems like diarrhea, or GI Stasis. If rabbit diarrhea continues, then it can lead to Rabbit Wet Tail and Rabbit Fly Strike; both of which are deadly for bunnies.
How To Grow Wheatgrass For Rabbits
If you love offering wheatgrass to your mature rabbits, you’ll be excited to know that you can grow it yourself! It is very simple and just requires a shallow tub with drainage holes, good quality soil, and your choice of wheatgrass seeds.
First, germinate your wheatgrass seeds by continually dampening them with fresh water in a glass jar. Make sure the lid of the glass has drainage holes as you don’t want the seeds sitting in water or they will quickly rot!
Then, when little white roots are starting to appear from the wheatgrass seeds, spread them gently and evenly across some rich soil, in a plastic tub that drains. Cover them with a light cloth or newspaper and keep this cloth or newspaper damp at all times.
Soon, you will have green wheatgrass sprouts shooting up. Remove the cloth or newspaper and place in a sunny spot. Continue to water and in no time you’ll be ready to make your first home grown wheatgrass cutting for your bunny!
Here is a great video about How To Grow Wheat Grass For Rabbits
Can Baby Rabbits Eat Wheatgrass?
No, do not offer wheatgrass to baby bunnies.
Baby or immature rabbits are all rabbits that are less than 12 weeks old.
We do not recommend feeding wheatgrass to these youngsters because the stomachs and digestive systems of baby rabbits are even more sensitive than those of mature rabbits.
For this reason, even a bit of wheatgrass can result in gut bacteria imbalances and other health issues.
A better option is to wait until your immature bunny reaches 12 weeks and, even then, begin with just a few sheaths of wheatgrass.
This will allow you to observe your bunny’s reactions and slowly introduce this new supplement into their diet.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Rabbits Have Wheat Grass
Can Rabbits Eat Fresh Wheatgrass?
Freshly cut wheatgrass is the best form of the grass for bunnies! Avoid cutting, pressing, or otherwise altering the grass as that will destroy it’s natural fibers that your bunny needs.
Can Rabbits Eat Dried Wheatgrass?
Because wheatgrass is the most tender and first growing stage of the wheat plant, many nutrients can be lost when it is dried. However, your rabbits can eat dried wheatgrass, simply be aware that it won’t offer as many benefits to your bunnies.
Can Bunnies Eat Wheat?
Yes, rabbits can eat wheat fruits and wheatgrass as infrequent treats as long as both are given to them unprocessed and raw. Rabbits should never eat cooked or baked wheat products.
Final Thoughts on Can Rabbits Eat Wheat Grass
Wheatgrass is a delicious tender green that can be a great dietary supplement for your mature rabbits if offered in moderation. Just remember to never replace your rabbit’s high quality hay with green grasses, as this will quickly cause digestive issues.
Your bunnies are sure to love this green treat, so go ahead, offer them fresh wheat grass clippings and watch them enjoy themselves!
Want to know more about vegetables for rabbits and what vegetables can rabbits have daily?
Click on this link: Vegetables for Rabbits