Rabbits are quite unassuming in their food, but the taste of rabbit meat depends a lot on the diet. In the summer, the diet of animals can be expanded by adding grains, twigs, tops and root crops. The most common vegetable in the garden is a cucumber, so many add it to the diet of eared pets.

Is it possible to give rabbits fresh cucumbers and tops from them

Experts are confident that cucumbers do not harm the health of rabbits. However, do not immediately transfer the animal to a diet consisting exclusively of this vegetable. It should be added to the daily diet. Herbivores are especially susceptible to various digestive diseases, so it is important to approach their diet with caution - not every food will benefit.

Important! Store-bought cucumbers are not suitable for feeding rabbits. They may contain chemical elements that contribute to long-term storage. They are also often sprayed against pests. An excess of harmful substances and toxins can cause the development of allergies.

Cucumber contains water, carbohydrates, useful macro- and microelements, as well as vitamins (water-soluble and fat-soluble). And it is also low-calorie: 100 grams of a vegetable contains only 14 kcal.

Rabbit eating cucumber

Because cucumbers are low in fiber, they cannot be considered an irreplaceable food. Also, they are not suitable for fattening herbivores. In the case of commercial species of rabbits, it is rational to replace the vegetable with watering. Ornamental species that live at home get the most benefit from this product. Also, cucumber supplements are suitable for breeding breeds, for which it is important to have a balanced diet. They do not allow you to gain excess weight, while being rich in vitamins and minerals. However, if you abuse the cucumber mixture, gastrointestinal upset and food poisoning are possible.

Attention! Cucumber tops are not suitable for feeding. These plants are not nutritious food.

In addition, animals do not like the presence of small thorns on the leaves and stems. Plants are often sprayed with chemicals and growth stimulants. Toxins on plants can poison pets. The nature of the poisoning will depend on the type of poison with which the plant was treated.

How much to give a cucumber to a rabbit

It is necessary to introduce a new product into the rabbit diet gradually, little by little, and immediately monitor how its use affects the condition of the pet. If the animal's behavior has not changed, you can continue to introduce cucumber supplements into its diet.

You need to introduce a new product into the diet gradually.

Different types of eared can react differently to the same product. If there is a disruption in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, it is necessary to stop eating the vegetable. Herbivores are fed three times a day, with the cucumber mixture best served at lunchtime.

Important! It is also worth canceling the introduction of the product if the animal has become lethargic and apathetic.

How to prepare a cucumber for feeding

There are several ways to serve cucumbers. For example, herbivores love salad, for which vegetables are first grated and then mixed with other food. Also, the vegetable can be served cut into small pieces.Pussies also like the combination of the supplement with various herbs, vegetables and root vegetables.

The ratio of the product and other feed for ornamental rabbits should be 20%, for productive breeds this figure is 15%. The daily norm of a vegetable for ornamental breeds is 50 grams, productive rabbits can consume up to 100 grams per day. One hour after feeding, you must remove the leftover pieces from the trough. Because when acidified, they become dangerous for pets.

Rabbit cucumber can be grated

Herbivores should not be given wet fresh cucumbers - they may die from this. As with any herb, vegetables are first dried well before feeding. It is also worth noting that animals are not allowed to eat spoiled or dirty gherkins.

At what age can you add cucumber additives?

Fresh cucumbers can be added to the diet of decorative rabbits immediately after switching to plant foods. The change in diet should be gradual. Productive breeds can only add cucumber mixture to their food after the end of the feeding period.

For the first time, you can give fresh cucumbers to pets only after 4 months of life. By this period, their body becomes more stable and is able to digest heavier foods. This rule applies to both decorative and industrial breeds.

Attention! Rabbits should not be given a cucumber mixture, since they are not yet able to digest this product. It is worth paying special attention to the nutrition of animals during the period of weaning from mother's milk.

Can you give rabbits pickled cucumber?

Some people use weak solutions of lactic acid to improve the digestion of animals. In small doses, these compounds are found in pickled foods. However, these cucumbers are not suitable for feeding herbivores. This rule even applies to lightly pickled vegetables. They contain substances that, when combined with food and food additives, lead to intoxication and death.

40% lactic acid

To improve the work of digestion, it is better to purchase 40% lactic acid, which looks like a thick syrup. This supplement will allow food to be absorbed quickly and will also alleviate the side effects of roughage. It also increases sexual activity and contributes to the pregnancy of rabbits. This solution is also used for disinfection of rabbitries.

The health and fertility of eared pets directly depends on their nutrition. A correct, high-quality and well-chosen diet will help maintain the health of rabbits, make the fur shinier, and make the pets cheerful and active. Fresh cucumbers can be fed to rabbits. However, it should be noted that they are not suitable for all breeds. Also, when introducing the product, it is important to comply with the norms recommended by veterinarians, otherwise an excess can bring harm to the pet.