Bunnies will indeed eat anything that comes their way. However, only if it is grown in the soil. Rabbits are strictly herbivores and only eat things that grow from the ground. Their digestive systems are sensitive and can break down non-complex components.
Any meat has a high protein content that rabbits do not require. When hopping in your backyard, you must have seen your bunny munch on a caterpillar sitting on a leaf. It will make you curious about what insects rabbits can eat.
Rabbits are herbivores and only eat plant-based food. No bunny will willingly eat bugs as they disapprove of the taste. A rabbit might eat an insect by mistake if it is on its food. However, this does not mean your bunny cannot eat insects. Some insects are not poisonous for your bunny.
Just because your rabbit will not do something does not mean it cannot. Bunnies should not eat insects due to their protein content, but they can. Rabbits do not know what is good or bad for them.
If they see a leafy green, they will hop to it, and munch like there is no tomorrow, regardless of what might be on the leaf. Scroll through for more information about the relationship of your bunny with the creepy crawlies.
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Reasons Why A Rabbit Would Eat Insects
When your bunny roams in the backyard, it will look for a snack. All the hopping and zooming can make your furry friend feel hungry. The freshly cut grass and leaves will be eye candy for your bunny, making it eat anything that comes with the grass.
There is no scientific explanation as to why rabbits will eat bugs. However, some behavioral observations and logic can lighten up this curious situation of herbivore bunnies eating meaty insects.
Here are some reasons of bunnies eating bugs:
- Rabbits are curious animals and get excited when they see something new. If your rabbit comes across a bug, it will attempt to eat it out of curiosity.
- A starving rabbit will tend to become an omnivore and eat bugs to survive.
- Insects can be devilish when it comes to animals. Some insects love to annoy little animals by jumping and zooming around them. To relieve this discomfort, rabbits might have to eat the bug.
- When they see fresh greens, rabbits cannot wait to munch on them. Your bunny will accidentally eat insects because of haste.
- Rabbits are territorial and bossy when it comes to their home. A bunny will bite insects to remove any threats of invasion. A bunny’s personal space is essential to it.
- If your rabbit is not getting proper food and is malnourished, it will try to fill that nutritional gap by eating insects.
What Insects Would Your Bunny Eat?
Domestic rabbits do not have access to all types of insects, which is excellent for their health. Plenty of insects can be poisonous for your precious furry friend and cause many health issues. Not knowing what is good or bad for them, rabbits will likely eat any bugs accidentally.
However, there are a few common bugs your rabbit can find in the garden or in your home to eat. These bugs are not poisonous and will not be fatal for your furry baby:
Aphids
These insects are most commonly found on leaves as they are sap-sucking creatures. They are small in size, and your bunny might be unable to see them. As bunnies are hasty eaters, your rabbit will not even notice the taste of the bug with the delicious leaves.
Caterpillar
Bunnies have a blindspot right in front of their noses. If a plant or grass has a green caterpillar crawling or gnawing on it, your bunny will be unable to see it. Your bunny will likely eat a considerably bigger bug, like a caterpillar, in the spur of the moment.
Crickets
Crickets have a neutral color and can hide in the grass easily. Rabbits do not have good eyesight to pinpoint a tiny cricket and will most likely eat it. However, your bunny can notice more giant crickets and avoid them.
Ants
There is a great chance your rabbit will not be able to see an ant due to its small size. If ants are in the garden, your rabbit will eat them with its beloved greens. However, a group or line of ants might be visible to your innocent rabbit to avoid.
Bunnies might eat tiny insects by accident but will never do so by choice. If you have an insect issue in your home, it is best to call pest control because your rabbit will be useless.
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Harmful Affects of Insect-Eating on Your Rabbit
Rabbits are not supposed to eat any meat. Their digestive systems cannot break down heavy fats, protein, and carbs. Unlike dogs and cats, bunnies prefer fresh hay, vegetables, fruits, and flowers. A rabbit requires a significant diet to stay healthy and alive.
Eating insects can be troublesome for your rabbit as they are not plants. Furthermore, insects can carry plenty of diseases that your rabbit might not be able to survive.
Here are a few health issues your rabbit can face if it eats too many insects by mistake:
Poisoning
As mentioned earlier, rabbits will not be able to decipher which insect is poisonous and which is not. It will not be in danger if your bunny eats small insects like ants or caterpillars.
However, your rabbit is in trouble if your precious bunny gets its paws on a spider, centipede, or scorpion. These creatures are highly poisonous and can kill your poor bunny.
Diarrhea
A rabbit’s digestive system only functions to break down a plant-based diet. Your rabbit will not be able to digest insects, which can cause your precious furry friend to suffer from intestinal troubles. Your pet will develop diarrhea just like humans when they eat something wrong.
Parasites
Insects are foul creatures and carry millions of germs and parasites. Some insects can expose animals to parasitic creatures by biting them, and others do it by getting eaten.
If your rabbit eats an insect, there is a high chance of the insect contaminating your poor bunny with parasites that can be harmful.
Prevent Your Rabbit from Eating Insects
As a pet owner, you are responsible for keeping your pet from harm’s way. There are a few preventive measures that you can take to ensure your rabbit stays away from the bad habit of eating insects:
Keep the Rabbit Indoors
If you notice your bunny eating any bugs and getting sick frequently, it is time to turn your outdoor rabbit into an indoor rabbit.
There is less chance of your rabbit eating an insect in your house than in the open wide. Furthermore, if your bunny goes out to play, it is best to create a nice playpen indoors to prevent it from eating poisonous insects.
Protect the Hutch
If you are bound to keep your rabbit outdoors, protect the rabbit’s hutch. Spiders and other poisonous insects can make a home in your rabbit’s hutch.
Look in the darker corners of your rabbit’s home for any signs of insects. Seal all the cracks and unwanted openings. Apply petroleum jelly around your rabbit’s hutch to prevent ants from entering.
Quality Food for the Bunny
Rabbits need plenty of fresh food to survive. Always buy quality fresh greens and food for your bunny to ensure there are no insects in them. Furthermore, wash the food before feeding it to your bunny to rinse off any hidden bugs.
Keep Your House Clean
It is best to keep your house and rabbit’s area squeaky clean. Insects are attracted to dirty places, keeping your rabbit and house clean will help you avoid bugs.
Use Good-Grade DE
Dust all the plants in your yard with food-grade Diatomaceous Earth to prevent insect infestation. It is a powdery substance made of fossilized algae extracted from the Earth. It is not harmful to your bunny and will do wonders to keep bugs away.
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What To Do If Your Bunny Eats Too Many Insects?
If you notice your rabbit eating insects, try to prevent it as much as possible. Your rabbit might still eat insects accidentally. Take your bunny to the vet immediately to avoid any unwanted mishaps.
A professional is more capable of handling insect poisoning in fragile rabbits than you. Keep your rabbit calm and stay calm. Trust your vet and let him do his job at taking care of your bunny’s health.
Final Word
Your rabbit will do silly things from time to time as it does not know any better. As a pet owner, your responsibility is to keep your rabbit safe and healthy. Feed your bunny enough hay and greens so it does not starve, and look for alternative foods.
Give your precious furry friend loads of love and playtime to bond with it. Lastly, always go to your vet whenever you doubt your bunny’s health!