In moderation, rabbits can eat cat grass derived from wheat, rye, barley, or oat seeds.
You mustn’t substitute cat grass for hay for your rabbit. You should limit the number of greens your rabbit consumes to 10% of its diet.
If you want to give your rabbits cat grass, you should wait until they reach 12 weeks of age. Feeding plants can cause digestive issues in rabbits younger than 12 weeks.
The final step is to slowly introduce your rabbit into the world of cat grass if it is your first time giving it to him to determine whether it will negatively affect his health.
Here are a few reasons rabbits can consume cat grass further now that you know how it works:
Do rabbits purposefully eat rabbit grass?
Rabbits consume cat grass on purpose. As rabbits love them so much, they’d probably eat them all at once.
Here are some examples of rabbits that appreciate cat grass, as provided by rabbit owners:
Within minutes, it will be devoured by a rabbit. Several days will pass before the cat gnaws on it.
My bun loved the cat grass I grew for him.
Because rabbits love cat grass so much, they would devour it within minutes!
Rabbits can eat cat grass, but is it safe?
Cat grass can benefit rabbits if they are not eating it instead of their regular diet (hay).
Vegetables and plants should not be fed to young rabbits (under a year old). The best thing to do is to provide rabbits with hay when they are young. Digestive problems affect them the most.
The last thing you should do is limit the quantity you feed your rabbit if it’s your first feeding it.
Start by feeding them some cat grass. The recommended amount can be fed if they show no digestive issues.
Is it possible for a rabbit to eat a lot of lettuce?
Your rabbit’s age and weight determine what quantity is appropriate for them.
Below is a chart that will help you determine exactly how much grass your rabbits should eat each day:
For rabbits without access to a scale, here’s the amount of cat grass they should consume each day according to their breed:
| Rabbit’s weight based on breed | Allowed cat grass per day |
|---|---|
| Small breed (1.1–3.5 pounds) | <128 grams |
| Medium breed (6 to 10 pounds) | 384-640 grams |
| Large breed ( 9 and 12 pounds) | 384-760 grams |
Is cat grass safe for rabbits to eat?
Unless rabbits are younger than about 1 to five years old, it is assumed that they eat vegetables regularly (cat grass). Cat grass dosage should also be determined according to the rabbits’ age.
As your rabbits grow, feed them more cat grass:
| Age | Vegetables |
|---|---|
| 12 weeks | Introduce vegetables (one at a time) in small quantities < 1/2 oz (15 g) |
| 7 months to 1 year |
Increase vegetables fed daily gradually |
| Adult (1-5 y) |
1-2 cups per 6 lbs (2.7 kg) BW |
| Seniors (>6 y) |
If your rabbits are old enough, you can feed them greens (cat grass) based on the table above. New foods should also be introduced gradually and gradually.
When should rabbits not be fed cat grass?
You should immediately stop giving your rabbit food except for hay if it has digestive issues such as watery stools or uneaten caecotrophs.
You need to provide more fiber to your rabbit because you calculated their dietary needs incorrectly. You should feed your rabbit between 80 and 90% hay, three percent pellets, and 10% vegetables, occasionally treats.
To be safe, have your rabbit inspected by a veterinarian. In most cases, owners mistakenly diagnose their rabbits by feeding them more hay, which can help correct the problem. A rabbit’s diarrhea is deadly when it’s a disease.
Overfeeding rabbits with cat grass can be risky.
- Expired caecotrophs occur when the diet lacks fiber and too much water is consumed. Fiber is not enough for rabbits just eating cat grass. It is therefore recommended to feed cat grass along with grass sparingly.
- Symptoms of diarrhea: Rabbits can also develop diarrhea from eating too much cat grass because it lacks fiber. Pellets and hay should be the main components of your rabbit’s diet. If fed in large quantities, animals cannot digest grass. Diarrhea is extremely dangerous to rabbits, so immediately seek medical attention if you notice the symptoms.
- Stasis in the gastrointestinal tract: High carbohydrate and low-fiber diets can also cause gastrointestinal stasis. Your rabbit’s gut flora may be upset if it consumes too much food, such as cat grass, which can make food pass more slowly. You must consult a veterinarian when you suspect GI stasis, as GI stasis can cause death when left untreated.
You can replace cat grass with healthy alternatives.
Different types of food would make your rabbit happy.
Wild rabbits have access to a wide variety of food.
To ensure proper nutrition for your rabbits, it is recommended that you provide them with various food options.
Alternatives for cat grass include these greens and vegetables:
- Sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Peppers in green color
- The basil plant
- Medicinal herbs
- Clover, radish, and alfalfa sprouts
- Tops of beets
- Lettuce
- Flat peapods (edible)
- Leaves of peppermint
- The bok choy leaf
- Asparagus
- The clover
- Leaves of peppermint
- Tops of carrots and carrots
- The radicchio
- Leaves from raspberries
- Grass of wheat
- The watercress
- The herb cilantro
- Flowers and leaves of dandelion plants (pesticide-free)
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
How do I choose the best rabbit grass?
Rabbits can eat any lawn grass (like oat grass, barley grass, wheat grass, and ryegrass). A study has yet to determine the best type of food for rabbits.
Is cat grass a good alternative to hay?
Rabbits still prefer hay. It is still recommended that rabbits consume cat grass in addition to a diet rich in hay.
In conclusion
Rabbits can eat cat grass. Rabbits can consume cat grass moderately if they do not eat it instead of their regular diet (hay).
A hay-based diet alone cannot provide rabbits with adequate fiber requirements; cat grass is only recommended in addition.
