Are Pea Pods Good for Rabbits?

Domestic rabbits are sociable, intelligent, incredibly cute creatures that take up virtually no space and require little in the way of specialized care. This makes them the ideal pet for apartment dwellers or those with limited yard space. However, like all living things, rabbits have various nutritional needs that must be met. While there are a number of commercially prepared rabbit foods that can provide house-bound bunnies with well-balanced diets, supplementing these pellets with fresh vegetables, such as pea pods, keeps pet rabbits happy and healthy.

  1. Fiber

    • Fiber is a vital part of a rabbit's diet. The indigestible components of many fruits and vegetables move food and hair through the rabbit's digestive system, which helps keep the GI tract from becoming impacted. While bunnies can get the majority of their daily fiber by eating commercial rabbit pellets, crisp, green pea pods can provide domestic rabbits with additional roughage; a single cup of pea pods contains 4 grams of fiber. The recommended amount of dietary fiber depends on the size of the rabbit, but as a general rule of thumb, fiber should make up at least 25 percent of the rabbit's daily diet.

    Vitamin A

    • In addition to being an excellent source of roughage, pea pods are also high in Vitamin A --- a nutrient that is required for both growth and reproduction. Vitamin A is generally included in commercially prepared rabbit foods, so deficiencies are rare; nevertheless, at least one Vitamin A-rich vegetable should be offered to the bunny each day to ensure adequate nutrient intake.

    Feeding

    • Rabbits should be given 2-4 cups of fresh produce each day. Use a variety of vegetables to provide the bunny with the widest possible range of nutrients, but be sure to include as least 1 cup of pea pods in the daily offering; the additional fiber and Vitamin A are essential for optimal health. Fresh pea pods can be found in the produce section of most grocery stores year-round; however, if pea pods are not available, broccoli, beet greens, carrots, carrot tops and parsley make excellent substitutes.

    Considerations

    • Though rabbits can benefit from a dietary plan that includes an abundance of fresh, flat pea pods, they should not be given fresh peas. Peas are high in starchy sugars; while this does not harm the rabbit, it can lead to obesity. By the same token, fresh fruits should be offered sparingly or not at all. Additionally, rabbits should never be given grains, such as corn or oats, or seeds, such a sunflower seeds or pistachios. They may not be able to process these foods, which can lead to digestive distress.