Can Rabbits Eat Bread? Nope, But WHY? [The Risks!]
Let me tell ya, I am a huge bread lover. Like, HUGE. I ain’t picky either, give me a farmhouse loaf, a French baguette, ciabatta, focaccia, granary, sourdough, you name it!
I eat bread pretty much every now and then.
But, you may be wondering if it’s also good for your fluffy little bunny friend? Like, if you got some stale bread lying around and you’re thinking of feeding it to your rabbit. Well, I did some digging and let me break it down for you!
What is Bread?
Bread is a type of food that is made by mixing flour, water, and yeast together. The mixture is then baked in an oven.
There are many different types of bread, such as white bread, whole wheat bread, and sourdough bread. Some breads even have added ingredients like nuts, seeds, or dried fruit.
Can Rabbits Eat Bread?
Ha! That’s like asking if a penguin can fly. Just like a penguin can’t soar through the skies, bunnies can’t digest bread properly.
Giving them a slice of bread is like giving them a stomach ache on a platter. Not only will they not enjoy it, but it can lead to some serious health issues.
Why Bread is Not Good for Rabbits
You see, bread is like the fast food of the rabbit world. It’s high in calories and low in the important stuff, like fibre. So, just like us humans, if bunnies eat too much bread, they’ll get a little round in the belly.
But it’s not just the extra weight that’s the problem, it can also mess with their digestive system. Eating too much bread can lead to a condition called gastrointestinal stasis (or GI stasis for short) which is like a traffic jam in their gut.
The food stops moving and bacteria start growing, causing gas and stomach pains. It’s like a food poisoning but for bunnies. And just like us, if they get a stomach ache, they’ll stop eating and moving.
What Should I do If My Rabbit Ate a Bread By Mistake?
First of all, don’t panic, it happens to the best of us. You know how it is, you’re eating a sandwich, and the next thing you know, your bunny is running off with a piece of bread.
But don’t worry, it’s not like they just ate a piece of chocolate, bread isn’t toxic to bunnies. However, it’s not exactly healthy for them either.
So, if your bunny just had a small nibble, then don’t sweat it, just make sure to keep an eye on them for the next day. But if they had a substantial amount, then keep an eye on them for any abnormalities like not moving around, eating or pooping.
Do Rabbits Like To Eat Bread?
Of course, they do! They’re bunnies, not robots. But just because they like it, doesn’t mean they should eat it.
You see, bread is like junk food for bunnies. It doesn’t have any of the good stuff that they need and can cause some serious health problems.
Some people might think it’s a treat, but let me tell you, it’s like giving a kid candy for breakfast. Sure, they’ll enjoy it, but it’s not good for them. So, just to be clear, don’t give your bunny bread.
Check: Can Rabbits Eat Romaine Lettuce?
Final Say on Feeding Bread to Rabbits!
There are plenty of other treats that you can give it to your rabbit so I think its best for you and for your rabbit to stay away from bread because of various reasons that we have mentioned in this article.
Still, if you want to test to see if your bunny can eat bread or not then just give it a very small piece and I’m sure it will eat it in a blink of an eye. We pet owners are just as curious as cats!!
Read: Can Rabbits Eat Zucchini?
Jacob Mathew, the rabbit guy. He’s been working with those cute little buns for several years and he knows a lot of things about rabbits, if not everything.
Jacob loves cats and bunnies more than any other animals. Read my full bio