- A rabbits basic dietary needs
- Rabbit safe foods
- A rabbits favorite food
- Foods toxic to rabbits
Fortunately, in this post we will inform you about these key rabbit topics and set you up for success in supporting your local, backyard wild rabbit group!
Wild Rabbits: Natural Food and Diet
Wild rabbits’ biological systems are the same as those of any domestic, homestead, or pet rabbit:
Wild rabbits are obligate herbivores and natural foragers that rely on high amounts of fibrous material to drive proper digestion, immune strength, and metabolism.
As such, wild rabbits naturally eat:
- Grasses: timothy, meadow, wild fescue, wheatgrass, bluegrass, ryegrass, sedges, and any other wild growing grass. Note that lawn grass is edible but much less nutritive for rabbits.
- Wildflowers: clover, dandelion, chickweed, plantain, nettle, violet
- Bark and twigs: hackberry, mulberry, maple, cottonwood
- Shrubs: rosebush, raspberry and blueberries twigs and leaves
- Seeds: sunflower, plantain
- Berries: wild blueberries, strawberries, wild raspberries, mulberry
- Certain roots
This fiber and plant protein rich diet fortifies the notably sensitive and intricate digestion system of the rabbit and allows for optimal growth and energy.
In fact, all adult rabbits require up to 80% of their diet to be in fibrous, coarse plant foodstuff!
And if not enough fiber is ingested rabbits (both wild and domestic) can suffer from serious GI blockage and stress, diarrhea, dehydration, weakened immune systems, and teeth overgrowth, just to name a few.
What Food Can I Give Wild Rabbits Everyday
The only foods that wild rabbits can eat everyday are grasses, greens, and 100% plant matter.
Wild rabbits do not need supplemental rabbit pellets or processed rabbit treats as they are much more capable of meeting all of their dietary needs through their foraged diet.
It is actually best NOT to make a daily habit of giving foodstuff to your local wild rabbit population, as such a constant offering is sure to encourage dependance.
Instead, regulate any food offerings to wild rabbits at random weekly or bi-weekly occurrences.
How To Feed Wild Rabbits In Your Yard
The best way to assist wild rabbits with food is through indirect contact. This means placing or growing food away from heavily trafficked areas and never allowing a wild rabbit to become dependent on you for their sustenance.
This may seem unfair, but it is important to remember that wild rabbits’ instincts are much stronger than any domestic rabbits, and they truly are fit and able to forage and fend for themselves. And never forget: the natural circle and course of life demands death at some point.
That said, there are many ways to assist wild rabbits indirectly by offering beneficial foods everyday:
- Plant edible species in the gardens or spaces furthest from your house. For example: raspberry bushes and rose bushes.
- Allow wild plants to grow on your land. Nettle, violets, and dandelions are great energy and food sources for rabbits, by allowing these plants to grow you can automatically support local wild bunnies.
- Spread veggie scraps out for rabbits. If you have access to pieces of celery, greens, herbs, or even some vegetables, you can leave them in small pieces in your yard and local rabbits may stop by to nibble at the goods!
Note: offer only raw, fresh vegetables and greens and do not create piles of food waste as this will attract predators and unwanted pests.
- Leave cut grass on your lawn. Rabbits will use these cuttings for food as well as bedding in their underground burrows.
Not sure which veggies are good for rabbits, read our post on garden plants for rabbits.
What Is The Best Food To Attract Wild Rabbits
If you are looking to attract wild rabbits to your land, some of the best food to have available to them are yummy herbs and greens.
Safe Food That Is Irresistible To Wild Rabbits
For hungry and or curious bunnies, safe food that is irresistible to wild rabbits includes herbs such as parsley, cilantro, chamomile, mint, and basil.
Greens such as kale, spinach, and zucchini will also attract any wild rabbits that are in the area.
Furthermore, in fall and winter seasons wild rabbits can benefit from seed mixes and leftover roots such as carrots. Note that bird feed is NOT the same as a seed mix, as bird feed contains animal proteins that rabbits cannot properly digest.
What Are Wild Rabbits Favorite Vegetables
Wild rabbits love a range of vegetables, and will browse freely in your garden if no fence is put into place.
We have found wild rabbit nibble marks on the zucchini, cucumbers, pumpkins, yellow squash, spinach, lettuces, and culinary herbs that we grow in our garden.
Due to our experience with domestic rabbits, we also know that each rabbit is different and will have a preferred veggie treat. For example, one wild rabbit in our area has a cleft on its right ear and I always see it eating at the yellow squash but leaving the spinach alone!
For more inspiration on what foods best attract wild rabbits, read our post on what foods wild rabbits eat.
What Foods Are Toxic To Rabbits
Due to their sharper instincts, wild rabbits are usually pretty good at staying away from toxic foodstuff, even if it is readily available to them.
Such foods include toxic plants such as lilies, peach pits, and certain marigold species, as well as some well-loved human foods that rabbits can’t eat such as:
- Onions
- Garlic
- Meat
- Avocados
Note that domestic rabbits aren’t always so in tune with their instincts and often must be kept from foods with toxic compounds as they don’t know better but to eat them.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Safe Food For Wild Rabbits
Do Wild Rabbits Eat Sunflower Seeds?
Yes, wild rabbits do and will eat sunflower seeds when they come across them.
If you choose to offer sunflower seeds to wild rabbits ensure they are raw, unprocessed seeds free of salt and any other seasoning or flavoring.
Do Wild Rabbits Like Celery?
Yes, wild and domestic rabbits love the juicy, fibery nature of celery and will be sure to nibble on any extras that you have. In fact, celery is one of the most fiber dense vegetables available!
Just remember to place it far away from heavy use areas to discourage attachment or dependance.
Do Wild Rabbits Like Peanut Butter?
While rabbits may like peanut butter, this processed food isn’t actually healthy for them and is very hard to digest.
We highly recommend against offering this salty, fatty food to wild or domestic rabbits as it can cause serious GI backup and digestive issues.
This quick video talks about offering hay for wild rabbits in winter, although I must note the individual also offers commercial rabbit pellets and I would instead opt for a raw seed mix.
Final Thoughts On Safe Foods To Feed Wild Rabbits
If you decide to offer foodstuff to your local wild rabbit population, keep in mind that wild rabbits are happiest and healthiest when they remain independent from human care.
In addition, we encourage you to think twice and ask yourself the following question before offering something to wild rabbits: Would a rabbit find this food item in nature?
If the answer is no, it is probably not safe or healthy for wild rabbits!