Got Treats?
Co-written by Olaf the Ruby Eyed Rabbit and his dream team
I must admit, bunnies have very little will power to say no when it comes to eating all the junk foods that line the pet store shelves. What can I say, bunnies love their sugar. But to keep our tummy's from hurting (which can cause death), my human's need to be mindful when it comes to treat time. Healthy treats should only be fed to your bunny. And did you know, our treats do not have to contain sugar or grains to be enjoyable? Below is a guild to the bad, the good and the super yummy!
BEWARE OF THESE STORE BOUGHT TREATS
My Humans, please be aware that just because there is a cute bunny on the package, this does not mean that the treat is good for us. Do not be fooled by the verbiage on the package that make you believe that these products are healthy and nutritious. In my opinion, they are non-nutritious junk food that potentially can cause harm to my bunny friends. It is up to you not to be played the fool!
BUNNY APPROVED STORE BOUGHT TREATS
When shopping for a good healthy treat, make sure you read the list of ingredients. Avoid treats that are seed laden, have added sugar or the main ingredients are wheat, corn and soy. Bunnies don't really need a lot of grains in their diet. Preferably no sugar added is the best treat to give. Oxbow makes some wonderful bunny treats that are super yummy. Your bunny will be begging for more. But keep in mind, as cute as it is to watch the excitement unfold when the crinkle of the bag is heard, a few treats a day should only be given. Overweight bunnies should only be fed natural non-sugar treats.HOMEGROWN TREATS
Homegrown treats Rules! Snacking on an organically grown herbs, rabbit safe leaves, freshly grown hay or a rabbit safe flower is the best. Fresh garden treats should be organically grown and pesticide free. They also need to be mold free and washed before serving. It is a must to only feed your bunny a few treats a day even if they are homegrown. Too much of a good thing can be bad. We also suggest rotating their treats. Have ever watched a bunny in wild eat? They will munch on a little bit of this and a little bit of that. A healthy bunny is a happy bunny!
CITRUS CHIPS:
You can use this method on any leaves that are safe for rabbits to eat.
Pick fresh young leaves only from a healthy tree. Make sure that they are free of mold. Wash and place them out in the sun to dry. You may need to separate them as they tend to curl up while drying. Depending on how hot it is, it may take a few days to get to the right crunchy texture that the bunnies love to munch on.
Your bunny will also enjoy eating the blossoms from the lime tree as well. Make sure to feed them the petals and not the fruit that is growing in the center. They also make a great hay topper.
SAFE FLOWERS:
Flowers always make a fun treat to eat. Roses and hibiscus are always one of their favorites.
CARROT TOPS:
Carrot tops are super easy to grow.
Buy some organically grown carrots, cut the tops off, and place in a bowl of water. Set them in a sunny window until the tiny roots and new stem growth appear. Plant them in a pot using organic soil. The carrot itself will never regrow, but the delicious stems will. You can also dry the stems and save them for later.
Please note: Carrot tops are high in calcium. Make sure they ae fed sparingly. If your notice that your bunny's pee is chalky in color, stop feeding them.