Can Rabbits Eat Grass? (Do’s & Don’t of Grass)

In wild, rabbit depends mostly on the grass, leafy vegetables and water. They graze for hours after hours with fun. It’s their natural habit.

But in the case of house rabbits, the scenario is different. You have to consider some points to feed grass from your yard or outside to your house rabbit.

In this article, I’ll walk you through everything about the fresh grass and rabbits. Let’s explore.

Do Rabbit Eat Grass?

Rabbits can eat grass from the yard, lawn, or outside of the house as long as the grass is not sprayed with insecticides or chemicals. The digestion system of rabbits is very sensitive. If the grass contains any chemicals or hazardous elements, your bunny will be ill, even die in the worse case.

So, before providing the grass to your bunny, you have to ensure that the grass is free from toxic or hazardous elements. If everything is okay, you could give the grass to your bunny.

Is Fresh Grass Good for Rabbits?

Yes, fresh grass is good for rabbits. Fresh grass contains a lot of fibers, nutrients, and minerals, which are essential for the rabbit’s health. These micronutrients boost the immune system of rabbits and keep them healthy and strong.

You know wild rabbits depend on grass mainly. So, let your rabbits eat grass from the yard besides its dwelling place. Additionally, allowing your rabbits to eat grass will be a great source of exercise and entertainment also. And the bunny needs exercise daily.

Just keep in mind the following precaution in case of feeding grass.

1. Do your bunny accustomed to eating grass? If not, get used to her with grass slowly.
2. Does the grass treat with pesticides? If yes, don’t allow the grass.
3. Is the grass treated with any chemical? If yes, it will surely harm your bunny.
4. Have you recently trimmed the grass with a lawnmower? The grass will be fermented.
5. Do the other pets use the grass? If yes, consider the situation first because there is a chance of urinating here. 

After ensuring that the grass is free from all hazardous elements, then let your bunnies eating it. The natural environment is far better than a confined one.

Your bunny will get real entertainment from nature. For her safety, you can use a playpen for your rabbit.

If you have enough time to pass with your bunny, then you can use a harness for the rabbit. By this process, your bunny will be more intimate with you.

Can Baby Rabbits Eat Grass?

Baby rabbits can eat grass when they are 4 months old. Grass contains a high level of fiber. Baby bunnies do not have the specific bacteria to digest grass. However, you may provide a little amount of grass at the initial stage. Although your bunny may not eat, at least she will be used to it.

So, it would be better until your bunny becomes mature. In the meantime, you could provide alfalfa hay for your baby bunny.

Can Rabbits Eat Grass Instead of Hay?

No, you should not provide fresh grass instead of hay to the rabbit. Hay is the dried version of grass. But the hay contains high fiber than grass that is beneficial for long-term health for the bunny. You should ensure at least 80% of its meal by Hay. Besides hay, you could allow your bunny to graze on the fresh grass.

Let’s know the difference between Hay and grass.

Simply Hay is the dried version of the grass. Hay can be preserved more time than grass easily and Hay is perfect for outdoor habitat.

So, you should use Hay for these reasons.

• Hay contains more fiber.
• It is harder than grass and bunny love to chew.
• It can be preserved for a long time.
• Safe and doesn’t have any side effects.

Moreover, If your bunny refuses to eat Hay and prefer grass, you may go for the grass. Just Grow grass on the lawn and feed them to your rabbit.

You could provide this timothy hay instead of providing grass to your bunny.

Can Rabbits Survive on Just Grass?

No, the rabbit can not survive on the grass only in a healthy manner. To ensure the healthy life of your bunny, you should provide other food items like hay, pellets, vegetables, water, fruits, and others.

Most interestingly, rabbits can live only on water and Hay. But you should not allow her to live alone in the Hay and water. In this way, your bunny will be weak.

So, you could provide some green leafy vegetables, grass, and pellets besides Hay and water.

Can Rabbits Have Too Much Grass?

Overeating grass may cause long-term health issues to the bunny. Initially, you can not understand, but after a certain period, you will notice bloating and other physiological problems of your bunny. So, don’t allow unlimited grass to your bunny. Instead of grass, you could provide unlimited hay to your bunny.

Initially, allow a little grazing so that they can be accustomed to the new feed habit.

Besides, you should observe the consequences of eating grass. Lacking digestion bacteria may cause diarrhea.

After a successful adaptation, it is OK to provide much grass or other food.

Can a Rabbit Eat Weeds and Plants from the Yard?

Yes, the rabbit can eat weeds and plants. But unfortunately, all the plants and weeds are not safe for the bunny. Some of the plants may be lethal also. Bunny can’t differentiate which one is toxic and which is non-toxic. So, as a rabbit parent, you need to be serious about the food of your bunny.

I have included a list of safe and unsafe weeds and plants here.

• Goose Grass
• Smooth Sow Thistle
• Dandelion
• Garlic Mustard
• Nettle

These are completely safe for the bunny. These plants and weeds have no side effect on the rabbit.

Here is the list of unsafe weeds and plants for the bunny, according to Rabbit Welfare Association.

• Aconite
• Antirrhinum
• Chrysanthemum
• Clematis
• Columbine
• Comfrey Dahlias
• Convolvulus
• Delphinium
• Fig-wort
• Ivy
• Arum
• Arum
• Azalea
• Belladonna
• Buttercups
• Caladium
• Celandine
• Charlock
• Azalea
• Belladonna
• Buttercups
• Caladium
• Celandine
• Charlock

So, don’t allow your bunny to eat these toxic grass. You should remove these plants from your yard.

Is it OK for My Bunny to Eat Wet Grass?

Yes, it is OK. Rabbits can eat wet grasses just after the rain.

In the wild, it is a widespread scenario. So, let your bunny to explore the garden after the rain.

But in most of the cases, pet rabbits don’t want to eat wet grass. I have observed it from my personal experience.

Do Rabbits Eat Insects?

Generally, the rabbit doesn’t eat insects like fleas, ticks, termites, flies, beetles, grasshoppers, mites, spiders, crickets, aphids, moths, caterpillars, and other small pests.

But you may see your bunny eats a bug though it is a rare case. Maybe they do it in playing mode.

Because the digestive system of the bunny doesn’t allow digestion of any living animal. Rabbit can only digest fiber-containing plants, vegetables, and other food items.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you have got your answer on the question against can rabbits to eat grass from outside.

As a pet owner, it is the responsibility to provide the appropriate food and dwelling to your bunny. Your bunny worth it indeed.

Last but not least, grass can’t be the best alternative to hay.