Rice is one of the most popular foods in the world. In Asia and Latin America and part of Africa. Since rice is available everywhere, naturally it comes to mind, whether rice is safe for rabbits or not?
Rice is not a safe food for rabbits because it contains a high amount of carbohydrates. Rice is a slow poison for rabbits. It will not affect the digestive system immediately but your bunny will suffer in the long run. Even it could be lethal to bunnies sometimes.
Why should you stop feeding rice to your bunny?
You know rice contains too much carbohydrates for rabbits. The digestive system of rabbits is not very strong. That is why bloating, diarrhea, etc. are common.
To understand, let’s have a look at the nutritional facts of rice. Here, I have added the facts for both brown rice and white rice to easily understand the tweaks.
| Nutrient Value | White Rice | Brown Rice |
| Carbohydrates | 14.84 g | 17.05g |
| Protein | 1.42g | 1.83g |
| Dietary fiber | .2g | 1.1g |
| Sugar | .03g | .16g |
| Lipid | .15g | .65g |
You know the ideal food for a bunny is hay. Hay contains a high amount of fiber and lower carbohydrates. But rice contains high carbs that are too high for the bunny.
If you feed rice to your bunny regularly, your bunny will face the following problems.
- High calories and fiber may boost the insulin level. Ultimately your bunny can not digest the foods properly.
- Rabbits may face bloating, stomach aches, and cramps.
- GI stasis or Gastrointestinal stasis may decrease the digestive capacity of the bunny
My Rabbit Ate Cooked Rice-What Should I Do Now?
If your rabbit eats the cooked rice occasionally or accidentally, don’t worry. this is not a big deal. But if your bunny eats cooked rice whether it is white rice or brown rice, it is not a good sign. You should be cautious.
Can Rabbits Eat Uncooked Rice or Rice Grains?
No, uncooked rice is not recommended for the bunny. neither uncooked rice, all the grains are not suitable for the rabbit’s digestive system. Usually, rabbits cannot digest grains and they don’t eat grains in nature usually.
Rice can absorb water 3 times more than its size. So, when rabbits eat rice, it will be expanding. Ultimately, your bunny will be in danger. Moreover, rice is not a very nutritious food for the bunny. that is why you should avoid providing both cooked and uncooked rice to your bunny.
Can Rabbits Eat Rice Hay or Straw?
Yes, rabbits can eat rice hay. Rice hay is not toxic for rabbits but it doesn’t contain a significant amount of nutrients. Moreover, rabbits don’t like rice hay or straw. If your bunny loves to chew you could provide small badges. But please remember rice hay is not the main food for the rabbit. Grass Hay like Timothy, alfalfa, oat, etc. is the main food for rabbits.
Can Rabbits Eat Rice Cakes?
No like the cooked rice, rabbits cannot eat the rice cakes. It is unhealthy for rabbits. In most cases, rabbits cannot digest the rice cakes. Rice cakes could be healthier for you but not for your bunny.
Can Rabbits Eat Puffed Rice?
Yes, rabbits can eat a small amount of puffed rice occasionally. You could provide it as a treat. Puffed rice is not poisonous to the bunny. Since it is crunchy, rabbits love to eat it.
My bunny loves to eat puffed rice very much and I haven’t found any problem till now. I provide a little occasionally though.
Final Thoughts
Although rice is very common in all parts of the world, please don’t feed rice to your bunny. Pet bunny has a long lifespan. So, the right food habit is very important. thanks for reading and don’t forget to share.
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