Are You Supposed to Feed Lettuce to a Bunny?

For those who have never kept a bunny or rabbit as a pet, it can be difficult knowing exactly what to feed it and how much. While feeding lettuce is certainly encouraged, and of course the bunny won't mind it, a rabbit will need other foods incorporated into its meals for a more balanced diet.
  1. Base Diet

    • Adult rabbits will need to eat a good amount of hay.

      It is important to let baby bunnies drink their mother's milk, gradually introducing them to alfalfa hay and pellets at 4 weeks old. At 12 weeks of age, the rabbit may have a small amount of vegetables. The bulk of an adult rabbit's diet consists of alfalfa, timothy or oat hay, which should be available always. Pellets are also given as a supplementary food containing a minimum of 18 percent fiber.

    Vegetables

    • Even if you don't have a backyard, some vegetables for bunnies can be grown in pots.

      A general rule of thumb for feeding vegetables to rabbits is that dark, leafy and root vegetables are the best. Red or green leaf lettuce, such as spinach and romaine, are ideal, though iceberg lettuce should not be given. Feel free to grow carrots, green peppers, radishes, Brussels sprouts and celery in a garden to give your rabbit fresh vegetables.

    Extras

    • Try to think of Bugs Bunny, who wanted a vegetable more than fruit.

      Fruit should only be given as a rare treat. This can be in the form of a small piece of apple, melon, orange, papaya, peach, pear or pineapple. A few blueberries, raspberries or strawberries are also good choices. Never give a rabbit chocolate, cookies, crackers, breakfast cereals, bread, pasta or other human foods.

    Water

    • A bunny will need fresh water daily.

      A water bottle fixed to the side of its cage is preferred over water dishes the rabbit can use to create messes. Provide fresh, clean water at all times.