Rabbits' nutrition must be balanced, otherwise the animals will suffer from a lack of useful micronutrients. Rabbits are not quite whimsical in food - they will gnaw everything that the owner gives them, but not all products can be eaten by pussies. Many people think about whether it is possible to feed rabbits with dry bread. Does the benefit outweigh the harm from adding baked goods to the diet?

Can rabbits be given bread and crackers

Rabbits willingly consume various grains: oats, barley, corn and wheat. Therefore, many animal owners consider it advisable to give them bread, especially when it becomes stale, and it is a pity to throw it away. Indeed, veterinarians recommend giving bread to meat breeds of rabbits. But bread and crackers are not suitable for decorative breeds, as they contain carbohydrates and starch. Rare use of cookies and bread is allowed during the training of decorative species.

Attention! Rabbits can be treated with both homemade and store-bought bread, as well as bran-containing products.

Why is it useful to feed with bread products:

  • It is believed that rabbit meat is much tastier if the animal has occasionally eaten baked goods. The diet of these breeds should be 80% carbohydrate. Therefore, veterinarians recommend including bread in the diet of rabbit meat breeds.
  • After eating crackers, the rabbit hair becomes more beautiful and shiny.
  • Bread can be a preventive measure against diseases if you rub it with garlic beforehand.
  • It contains a large number of substances useful for animal health - vitamins of group B, niacin, manganese, selenium, chlorine, sodium, iron, zinc and copper.

Can rabbits be given bread and crackers

What harm can be:

  • In some cases, the product can provoke an upset gastrointestinal tract.
  • Bread also increases thirst, so it is important that pets have a supply of clean water and access to it.
  • Bakery products are detrimental to dental health. Due to the soft texture and high carbohydrate content, fast saturation occurs, there is no need for prolonged chewing, which negatively affects the condition of the back teeth. Croutons do not solve this problem, as they are soaked with saliva and crushed with incisors during meals. As a result, the lower jaw may start to rest against the upper one, because of which the growth of teeth will go to the root.
  • An excess of bread is fraught with gastrointestinal stasis, constipation, lethargy of the animal, apathy, dehydration and even death.
  • Bakery products in the diet of decorative rabbits lead to overweight. Obesity increases the likelihood of developing diabetes mellitus, diseases of the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, joints and pododermatitis.

Important! It is necessary to control the quality of the bread - moldy and spoiled pieces can harm rabbits. Even if you cut off the mold from a loaf, it will still contain fungal spores that can cause stomach malfunction and intoxication. Signs of mold poisoning include loss of appetite, thirst, mucus in the stool, fever, internal hemorrhage, and hind limb paralysis.

Basic rules for adding bread to the diet

Rabbits have delicate intestines, so each new product must be introduced into the diet in minimal quantities and gradually.Due to weak stomach muscles, care must be taken not to exceed the serving size - animals must eat often, but little by little.

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It is necessary to monitor the pet's behavior after eating bread. At the first sign of severe bloating, see your veterinarian immediately.

The main symptoms are:

  • loss of appetite;
  • hard breath;
  • bulging eyes;
  • strong tension in the abdominal cavity;
  • involuntary knocking of paws and teeth.

It is not recommended to give rabbits fresh bread, as it contributes to flatulence. Also, the coarse fibers of the product are poorly digested.

It is worth excluding black and rye varieties due to the fact that they cause a feeling of heaviness and lead to fermentation.

Buns, cookies, pasta are also prohibited - a high content of fat and sugar will harm the animal's body. The exception is oatmeal cookies, which can occasionally be given to pets as a reward.

Cooking methods

Veterinarians recommend choosing bran-rich wheat bread for rabbits. Mixing of several types of product is allowed. White bread is dried before serving. It is best to cut it into small 1 centimeter pieces.

For rabbits, bread is a must

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Crackers or dried breads are dipped in water to make it easier for pets to eat them. Bakery products can be given to rabbits - the bread is pre-soaked in milk. You can also rub a piece of garlic to prevent various diseases. One dried crust is given to the rabbit once a week.

Important! You must immediately remove the leftover pieces from the cage, otherwise they may bloom, which can poison the pet. It is best to feed the animal this product outside the cage walls to prevent crumbs from accumulating in the feeder.

Experts say that dry bread can be fed to rabbits, but proportions are important. The rate is calculated for each individual individually, based on its weight indicators - 10 g of bread per 1 kg of animal weight.

Rabbit nutrition should be complete, varied and include compound feed, vegetables and green mixtures. Bread and rusks act as delicacies. These products cannot supply the animal with all the required vitamins and nutrients.

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It is important to pay special attention to the diet of the rabbits. Their delicate stomachs can quickly spoil. Therefore, you should not offer the young animals bread until they are deposited from the rabbit. Veterinarians recommend starting to introduce new foods into the diet at 30-45 days. Start with small portions, gradually increasing the volume every 10 days.

Attention! It is recommended to give bread, mixing it with the remains of the first courses. The total volume of the mash should not exceed 200 g per day.

Rabbits can be given bread, it is important to pre-dry it. It is also necessary to carefully monitor its quality and discard spoiled products immediately. At the first sign of malaise, immediately abandon the product.