Rabbits can be fed not only straw, grass, and vegetables, but also branches. Rabbits will be happy to munch on a branch!
Your pet will be happy to eat leaves and branches of different trees but do not focus on a single plant since plants have qualities that we might not always know about (for example, birch has a diuretic effect, while the oak has tightening effect, however, these plants should be used in small volumes).
Branches contain vitamins, fibrous substances, microelements, and other substances that are not present in grass or grains. Therefore, the ration of a rabbit must always include branches.
What branches can be fed to a rabbit?
Your rabbit's menu can include branches of the following plants: apple, poplar, acacia, mulberry, maple, ash, raspberry (without sharp edges), vines, hazel, currant, aspen, sallow and linden.
Can I give pine branches to my rabbit?
Yes, you can also give your rabbit branches of other needle-leaved trees. However, branches of these plants should not be given to your rabbit too often!
From time to time (not often) pygmy rabbits and rabbits can also be given branches of an oak, birch, juniper, alder, pear, wild ash, and walnut.
Apple, hazel, and vine branches
can be fed to a rabbit with fruits, while current branches should be without berries. Fruits should also be removed from wild ash and chestnut branches, which should be given rarely and in small portions. Walnut branches should be given in very small amounts for parasite prevention.
Acacia
Can be given to rabbits in unlimited amounts, however only young branches with soft thorns should be chosen. If you have a pygmy rabbit, we advise to cut thorns altogether.
Birch tree branches have diuretic properties, while sallow and linden have an analgesic effect, oak and alder will help against diarrhea, while needle tree branches have lots of vitamin C. Branches of the trees named above are given rarely and as a preventive measure.
Let’s feed our rabbits leaves of dandelion, ribwort, goutweed, red and white clover, milfoil, wormwood, cocksfoot, raspberry bushes (no sharp edges), black currant, as well as branches of apple, pear, sallow, linden, willow, alder, aspen. Also, rabbits can be given branches of blackberry, blueberry, and cowberry branches.
