Swede, also known as rutabaga, is a delicious root vegetable that can be boiled, roasted or steamed and is a great addition to numerous dishes.
Particularly popular during the winter months, swede is often used in stews, soups and hearty dishes. If you have some leftover swede after cooking, you may consider feeding it to your pet rabbit.
But can rabbits have swede? – In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this question.
Can Rabbits Eat Swede?
Just like with a whole host of vegetables, rabbits can eat swede. The root vegetable is often enjoyed by bunnies, but it’s important to not feed it too much.
Swede should be fed only in moderation and in small quantities. This is because too much swede can actually cause your rabbit harm.
Rabbits have very sensitive digestive systems, and too much swede can cause bloating or GI stasis (a condition similar to constipation).
As well as this, swede contains a lot of calories so too much can cause rabbits to become overweight. An overweight or obese rabbit is at risk of all manner of health issues.
In contrast, a small amount of swede can enhance the health of a rabbit in a number of ways.
Swedes contain numerous vitamins, magnesium, calcium and iron which can all help to boost immune systems, aid with reproduction and prevent blood clotting.
The Diet Of A Rabbit
Diet is possibly the most important factor when it comes to keeping your pet rabbit happy and healthy.
And now that we know that rabbits can have swede, it’s essential that you understand what else makes up a rabbit’s diet.
Hay
While rabbits are most commonly associated with vegetables, hay is actually the most important element of any rabbit’s diet. It is essential to the health of every bunny, and should make up around 75% of their day-to-day consumption.
Hay is so important because it provides fibre, stops teeth from overgrowing and causing dental problems as well as helps a rabbit’s digestive system.
In addition to the crucial role it plays in diet, hay also provides great bedding for a rabbit’s hutch. Therefore, you should always make sure your rabbit has access to unlimited amounts of hay, and change it at least once a week.
Vegetables
As we’ve already addressed, a wide range of vegetables, including swede, are suitable for rabbits. They enjoy a whole host of veggies including carrots, Brussels sprouts, peppers, broccoli, mangetout and much more. It’s important to note that onions, garlic, chives and other bulb vegetables should be avoided as they can be poisonous to rabbits.
Pellets
If you’ve been to a pet shop recently, you’ve probably seen the bags of dried rabbit pellets on the shelves. These commercially produced pellets can also be fed to rabbits. It’s important that these are not used as a replacement for other food, such as hay, which plays an essential role in your pet’s diet. If you’re going to feed your rabbit pellets you should provide them with ⅛ to ¼ a cup per day. This can vary depending on your pet’s size and age.
Water
Hydration is another important part of a rabbit’s diet. A lack of water can impact a rabbit’s health in a number of ways, so you should always make sure your pet has access to it. This can be in a bowl or bottle attached to the cage. Water should also be changed daily to ensure it’s fresh and clean.
How Much Swede Should I Feed My Rabbit?
When it comes to feeding your rabbit swede, it’s important to do so in moderation.
When introducing your rabbit to swede for the first time, it’s important to do so slowly alongside its other vegetable intake.
Start with half a teaspoon of swede, and observe how your bunny reacts. If you notice any adverse effects, stop feeding it swede immediately.
If your rabbit copes ok with this new addition to its diet, you can increase the quantity to one teaspoon of swede but don’t exceed this amount.
Feeding Your Rabbit Swede As a Treat
Remember, swede should be a treat and once or twice a week is plenty to ensure it doesn’t trigger any health conditions.
We’d also recommend feeding swede to your rabbit by hand. You can also simply place the vegetable in your pet’s food bowl, but feeding veggies by hand is always best.
This is because it helps you better bond with your rabbit, and builds trust between the two of you. This is especially important if your pet is new or remains nervous around people.
