Wild rabbits are herbivores, meaning their diet consists entirely of plant matter. Their food choices are fundamental to survival, providing necessary energy and nutrients to thrive in their natural habitat.
The Wild Rabbit’s Natural Foraging Diet
Wild rabbits primarily forage on a variety of grasses, which form the cornerstone of their diet. Common types include:
- Wheatgrass
- Timothy
- Fescue
- Bluegrass
- Ryegrass
- Orchard
- Bermuda grasses
These grasses provide essential high fiber for their digestive systems.
Beyond grasses, wild rabbits consume non-woody flowering plants, often called forbs or weeds, such as dandelions, clover, chickweed, nettle, and ragweed. They also enjoy flowers including roses, daisies, sunflowers, and pansies, along with herbs like cilantro, parsley, basil, and mint. While they may occasionally nibble on garden fruits and vegetables, these are a very small portion of their natural diet.
How Diet Changes with the Seasons
The diet of wild rabbits adapts significantly with changing seasons, reflecting the availability of different plant materials. During spring and summer, when vegetation is abundant, rabbits primarily graze on fresh, lush greens, new grass shoots, and a wide variety of forbs and leafy plants. This period allows them to build energy reserves.
As autumn transitions into winter, fresh greens become scarce, prompting a shift in their foraging habits. Wild rabbits then turn to woody vegetation, such as bark and twigs from trees like willow, apple, birch, oak, and maple. They also seek dried vegetation, pine needles, and plant remnants hidden beneath snow. This dietary flexibility is important for their survival during colder months when food resources are limited.
What Wild Rabbits Should Never Eat
Certain foods commonly found in human environments or gardens can be harmful to wild rabbits. Cooked human food and processed items like bread, cereals, crackers, or granola bars should never be given to them. These often contain additives or ingredients unsuitable for a rabbit’s digestive system.
Bread, in particular, is detrimental due to its high carbohydrate and low fiber content. Consuming it can lead to severe digestive issues, including bloating, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal stasis (where the digestive system slows or stops). It can also contribute to obesity and dental problems. Additionally, certain garden plants and human foods like:
- Iceberg lettuce
- Corn
- Beans
- Nuts
- Potatoes
- Anything from the onion family (including garlic)
are harmful. Ornamental plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, foxglove, ivy, and daffodils are also toxic to rabbits.
The Importance of a Proper Diet for Wild Rabbits
A wild rabbit’s natural, high-fiber diet is fundamental for its well-being. Their teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, necessitating constant chewing of abrasive plant material like grasses to wear them down. Without adequate chewing, their teeth can overgrow, leading to difficulty eating and painful oral lesions.
The high fiber content of their diet is also crucial for maintaining a healthy digestive system. Fiber keeps food moving through their gut, preventing conditions like gastrointestinal stasis. Rabbits possess a unique digestive system that relies on bacterial fermentation in their hindgut to break down plant material and absorb nutrients efficiently. This ensures proper nutrient absorption, supporting their overall health and energy levels in the wild.