Thank you for stumbling upon this page, and you are certainly lucky to. If you knew much about rabbit nutrition, you'd know that rabbit pellets are very good for your rabbit. Nevertheless, there are some rabbits who may benefit from eating small quantities of oats—for the exact same reason why most rabbits should avoid them. Unlike humans (who can survive even if their diets are horrifyingly lacking in plant foods), rabbits actually need fiber in order to keep their bodies running—without adequate fiber, the rabbit gastrointestinal tract can shut down completely. This recipe i have tried with oats that i have pureed and my rabbit loved them! Nevertheless, there are some rabbits who may benefit from eating small quantities of oats—for the exact same reason why most rabbits should avoid them. Can rabbits eat oatmeal without any problems or not? People who work at animal shelters or rabbit rescue centers often feed oats to orphaned bunnies or rabbits who are severely underweight. So, to answer our question, yes, rabbits can eat oatmeal, but make sure you don’t make a regular habit out of it, otherwise your little bun will have to suffer some health troubles. Many rabbit rescues and animal shelters use plain oatmeal as a way to get some nutrition into underweight a… A way better option would be to feed your bunny some raw rolled oats instead of the regular oatmeal we usually eat for breakfast. And when most of us think of a standard healthy breakfast option, oatmeal comes to mind. Keep in mind that a healthy normal weight rabbit doesn’t need to gain more weight so it’s probably best to avoid oats and oatmeal completely, as they are rich in calories and healthy adult rabbits require a low calorie diet with lots of fiber. Oats aren’t toxic for rabbits and can be given to rabbits as occasional grain treats. 3 Don’t Cook Oatmeal for Rabbits. After that, I won’t feed my buns any more oat hay. However, don’t rush to fill your rabbit’s bowl with porridge, as oatmeal doesn’t come without health issues for rabbits. Protein, of course, provides the amino acids your bun’s body uses to build and maintain muscle, hair, skin, and nails. WHOLE oats/ WHOLE wheat and crimped Barley. Who knows, maybe it was just a cooincidence, but I’m not taking the chance. They are rich in complex carbohydrates that can provide the energy necessary for your skinny bunny to fuel their body while it grows and repairs, and they also provide moderate amounts of both fiber and protein. Whereas dogs can eat a lot of the same foods that we can eat, rabbits are herbivores, and the foods marketed for them look like lawn clippings that have been left on the sidewalk to dry out for a few days. Can rabbits eat oats? These oats are very high in carbohydrates and dietary fiber which, for normal rabbits, may cause weight gain. Raw rolled oats are closer to what rabbits eat naturally into the wild, and that’s lots of hay, grass and leafy greens and not starchy grains. While oats are a great choice for animals like humans, who thrive on starchy foods, they can cause problems for grazing herbivores like rabbits, who are not well suited to eating a lot of starch. The only impact that the oats will have on your healthy rabbit is unnecessary weight gain and possible stomach upset. Sure, a little bit every once in a while shouldn’t harm your pet rabbit, but beware of the quantities. But while oatmeal is good for us and we are always happy to share something tasty with our furry friends as well, there’s a question that arises here. .hide-if-no-js{display:none !important}. If your rabbit has a healthy weight, just a little bit of rolled oats occasionally can make a delicious treat. In the end, oats are only a good idea if your veterinarian has agreed that your rabbit needs to gain weight. notice.style.display="block";},timeout);})(120000); Time limit is exhausted. Cooked oatmeal is rich in starch and can cause digestive issues in rabbits. DIY Rabbit (Or Guinea Pig Treats) Without Oats! Yes, you can feed oats to your bunnies but be careful; these benefits come with equal risks. Willingly eat rabbits and barley. Pindone is one of two poisons registered for rabbit control in Victoria. Required fields are marked *, Are you human? The failure to do so may lead your bunny to become obese or overweight, which can further lead to heart or lung problems, diabetes or the more serious and dangerous fatty liver disease. Oatmeal is not on the list of toxic foods for rabbits, so from this point of view, rabbits can eat oatmeal. What is Oatmeal and What’s so Good About it. Back before there were rabbit pellets, oats made up the majority of many rabbits’ diets. But for a variety of diets, especially during the fattening period, it is better to steak the oats in slightly salted water or to roast. Crimped, steamed or otherwise altered grains will not sprout. Your email address will not be published. Fiber is an important part of why oats are a good weight gain food for rabbits. If your vet gives you the green light, then go for oatmeal as your rabbit’s main diet until he recovers himself and grows a little bit more. Though this food is not a good option for the vast majority of adult rabbits, there are some situations where plain, cooked oatmeal may be beneficial for your bunny. Since they’ve got a different digestive system than we do, rabbits usually cannot eat cooked meals, so you should avoid feeding cooked oatmeal to them as much as possible. But even if nutritionists and doctors around the world recommend it as a healthy breakfast option for us humans, that doesn’t mean it’s as good for our hopping furry friends, the rabbits, as well. ten *(function(timeout){setTimeout(function(){var notice=document.getElementById("cptch_time_limit_notice_3");if(notice) One feed mixture included six quarts of oats to a quart each of wheat, sunflower seeds, barley and corn. Raw rolled oats are closer to what rabbits eat naturally into the wild, and that’s lots of hay, grass and leafy greens and not starchy grains. A bunny’s digestive system is different than the one of a dog so let’s find out more about this matter. all i want to know if it is okay and safe to give them a little amount of oats a day? As much as we love to eat oats as a part of our daily hearty breakfast, we should consider some things before feeding these foods to our fluffy friends. For disabled rabbits, these extra nutrients are often needed to increase or maintain weight and energy and support digestion. They are a rich source of carbohydrates, and they contain enough fiber and protein to aid in digestion and the prevention of insulin spikes, but they’re simply too caloric for most rabbits. This is why oats are such a great staple for athletes and growing children—they are chock full of the energy that these people’s bodies need in order to stay fit and healthy. These homemade guinea pig and rabbit treats use their kibble, applesauce, shredded carrots and the fine hay bits from the bottom of their hay box. For this reason, oats can actually be helpful for rabbits who are underweight. After raising, showing and breeding meat rabbits for 38 years, I still (like Mary), find I learn something new all the time. It’s used by both athletes and regular folks alike because it’s hearty and easy on the stomach at the same time. Fat rabbits are more likely to develop foot infections, insulin resistance, diabetes, heart and lung problems, arthritis, and depression. Rabbits can in fact eat oats however should not be given unless in a situation where you have to, it's recommended to give your rabbit oats as a last resort if for some reason rabbit pellets are unavailable but is not suitable in any long or medium term diet. Oats are easy for a sickly rabbit to digest. However, orchard grass, oats, or meadow are good grassy hay choices. I also hope this helps answer the question “what to feed meat rabbits” for anyone who is new to raising meat rabbits. Unprocessed oats offer fresh nutrients for your short-tailed friend. aldi bunnybait pindone baited oats Bunny Bait - used for the control of rabbits in and around farms and farm buildings and in urban and closely settled areas. Rabbits who eat oats on a regular basis will probably gain weight and become overweight or even obese, which can increase their risk of becoming seriously ill. But don’t just rush now to fill your bunny’s plate with porridge, because oatmeal doesn’t come without health problems for rabbits. Oats are one of the few starchy foods that are fairly easy to digest, so, if fed properly, they probably will not upset your bun’s stomach. While oats make great ‘growth formula’ for scrawny bunnies, rabbits who are already at a healthy weight should not consume them with any regularity. The presence of fiber in the gut is what keeps food moving from one digestive organ to the next. Your rabbit is a fraction of your size, and they have much lower calorie needs than you do! Its advantage lies in the fact that it contains a huge range of nutritional components that are beneficial to the health of animals, has a high energy value of 336 kcal / 100 g. Oats are high in natural sugars and they aren't healthy for rabbits. Though oatmeal is the epitome of a healthy human breakfast (even among people who are trying to drop a few pounds), oats are actually quite calorie-dense foods. There are no big benefits to gain from feeding your furry friend oats, so they will be better off eating what their GI tract is used to! Whether meal or treat food, it's fun to watch a rabbit eat in awe and paradise, especially food you make- dedicated especially to your, well, special rabbit that deserves your well-made food. Oats can be a good source of fats and proteins used for strong nails, teeth and hair. Also, it’s always better to give him raw oats, as evolution didn’t provide bunnies with a stomach which can process cooked foods. All Rights Reserved | Pet Consider does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please sit down, mind you. Give your rabbit only 1 or 2 of these treats per day and keep the rest refrigerated. x December 28, 2011 at 4:25 AM Remember that these animals depend on high-fiber, low-calorie diets such as grassy hays as well as some leafy greens and an unlimited supply of clean, fresh water. If your bunny isn’t in immediate need of gaining some weight, there’s no actual reason to feed him oatmeal, so you’d better keep it away from him or use it in only small amounts and not too often. Raising rabbits is a great hobby or even a good small business. their bodies aren't used to/developed toward pellets. 12) Basil It’s healthier to feed your adult rabbit just a few grains of raw rolled oats, just as a treat. I see numbers of people who own 1 or 2 rabbits as pets and have had them a few months and think they are experts on rabbits and rabbit nutrition. But is that safe for buns? i know you should gradually add the oats to … Have on your healthy rabbit is a bit obsessive about his food and that! 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