There will always be a need for vets. That idea, plus my huge love of animals, has led me down the path of becoming a veterinarian. I have not graduated from my course yet, but the reason behind this blog is to share my learning journey. I intend to write blog posts on subjects like the veterinarian education path, my thoughts on whether to be a general or specialist vet and how I wish to use alternative treatments like acupuncture in my practice. If you too have a love of animals and want to make this your job, then my blog will be interesting to you.
Is Garden Grass a Safe Food for Your Rabbit?
In the wild, grass is a natural food for rabbits. In fact, you may have been told to feed your rabbit hay which is essentially simply dried grass. If you have a lawn in your garden, you may be wondering if you can feed your pet this grass. Is this a good idea?
When Is Garden Grass Safe?
If you pull up a handful of grass from your garden, then this should be safe for your pet to eat. It will probably love fresh grass over hay and the grass will soon disappear. Given the fact that many rabbits go wild over fresh grass, you should be careful how much you allow your rabbit to eat in one sitting. For example, you may decide to let your bunny out on the lawn while you sit with it. It will stuff its little face with as much grass as it can get. If your rabbit hasn't eaten fresh grass before, then eating too much in one sitting may upset its stomach. So, if you're allowing your pet to graze in the open, keep your sessions short and sweet.
When Is Garden Grass Not Safe?
You need to make sure that the grass you feed your rabbit doesn't contain anything that might make it ill. Dealing with a simple upset stomach after overeating is one thing; having to deal with a rabbit that has eaten something toxic is far more serious. So, make sure that the grass that your rabbit eats doesn't have any weeds in it. You also shouldn't feed your pet grass that has been treated with any chemicals like weed killers or pesticides.
While it may look like a no-brainer to feed your pet grass clippings after you mow your lawn, don't do this. Mown grass can be harmful to rabbits. As grass is mown, it gets hot. The way your mower cuts the grass also changes its make-up. Basically, both these factors affect the way your pet can digest mown grass. It ferments a lot more quickly in the stomach and can make your rabbit ill.
If you've tried grass on your rabbit and it seems ill, or if you think it has eaten something it shouldn't in the grass, then take it to your vet. Rabbits have very sensitive stomachs and even a small problem can turn into a bigger issue. Your vet can also give you more advice on how to feed your rabbit fresh grass safely.