Is it possible to feed rabbits with bread: rules for introducing into the diet and harm

Rabbits are bred in many farms and quite often are given as pets. As a rule, the basis of the diet is made up of special food, vitamin supplements, vegetables, greens. As treats, you can treat animals with fruits. Many owners have questions - is it possible to feed rabbits with crackers or bread, what types of bakery products are suitable as food.

Can rabbits be given bread and crackers

There is no unequivocal opinion about the benefits of bread or the need to introduce it into the diet of animals. When compiling the diet, several factors are taken into account: the breed of the rabbit, age, conditions of detention (home or on the farm).There is an opinion that when mass breeding animals, you need to add bread to food in order to fatten up faster and get a beautiful strong skin.

Bread is not recommended for decorative pets. In housing conditions, animals move little, so excess carbohydrates will contribute to unnecessary weight gain and decreased activity.

Benefits of bread for rabbits

To talk about the advisability of introducing it into the diet of animals makes sense only when growing meat breeds, since carbohydrates contribute to rapid weight gain. Other positive aspects of eating small portions of bread should also be noted:

• improves the quality of skins;
• immunity increases;
• normalizes the activity of both the digestive system and the cardiovascular system.

Bread is an inexpensive and affordable type of food. Of course, you need to introduce bakery products into the diet of rabbits gradually. At the same time, it is important to monitor the condition of the animals.

Rules of introducing into the diet

Rabbits are not considered capricious animals in terms of feeding. However, bread is recommended to be used mainly as an infrequent treat. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the digestive system of animals. Weak rabbit stomach muscles are unable to digest large portions of food.

Advice! Rabbit bakery products are treated 1-2 times a week at the rate of 10 g per 1 kg of animal weight.

You need to introduce bread into the diet gradually, carefully observing the condition of the rabbits, their behavior. It is undesirable for very small pets to add bread to their food. In babies, eating baked goods can cause diarrhea or even death. The optimal age of the animal is over one and a half months.

You need to start complementary foods with small crusts soaked in milk, warm water. The portion is increased gradually - every 10-12 days. Since bread increases thirst, it is important to ensure that there is always water in the drinker.

Cooking Methods

The most high-quality and harmless for rabbits will be bakery products specially prepared at home. A suitable option is cookies made with grated carrots. You will need oatmeal, flour, water and grated carrots. The cooking process is simple:

1. Mix equal portions of flour, cereal, carrots and water (it is recommended to take products in half a glass).
2. 2.5 cm balls or small sticks are rolled out of the dough.
3. Cookies are baked for 15 minutes in the oven at 175 °. The finished product should cool for 30-45 minutes.

It is recommended to store cookies in a separate bowl, which is placed in the refrigerator. If it is not possible to make cookies yourself, use store bakery products. It is only important to pre-dry the skibochki.

To do this, the loaf is cut into medium-sized slices and laid out on a wooden board. For natural drying of bread, the board is placed in a place well lit by the sun. Crackers are put in a resealable container, which is stored in a dry place.

What kind of bread can and cannot be fed to rabbits

Among the wide variety of bakery products, you need to choose the right product that can be introduced into the diet of animals. What absolutely cannot be fed to rabbits:

• any kind of buns, because muffin provokes indigestion, bloating, diarrhea. Also, soft buns can cause blockages in the small intestine;
• butter products containing all kinds of chemical additives, sugar, starch, fats. These substances impair the he alth of rabbits;
• products with the slightest signs of mold - can cause diarrhea, poisoning, internal bleeding.

The best choice is homemade cakes. As a treat, you can treat fluffies with homemade crackers. In a small amount, it is allowed to use self-made oatmeal cookies (without sugar) containing vitamins, minerals.

Possible harm

Bread, like any product, has advantages and disadvantages. Negative effects of feeding rabbits with baked goods:

• obesity of animals, leading to dangerous results: activity decreases, digestive failures appear, life expectancy is shortened;
• the dental system is destroyed, as there is no need for prolonged chewing. At the same time, the rabbit's teeth do not grind down and begin to grow incorrectly;
• lack of vitamin D and little calcium. With regular consumption of bread, the muscle tissues of the jaws are weakened, which leads to loosening of the teeth.

You also need to consider the likelihood of enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine). Animals refuse to eat and quickly lose weight. Rye breads or low-quality, moldy crusts can cause fermentation in the intestines, provoke excessive gas formation.

When keeping rabbits, you need to remember that the basis of the diet should be vegetables, greens, special feed. And bread is perfect for training pets, as a rewarding treat. In order for the animals to always be he althy and active, it is recommended to prepare cookies or crackers yourself.

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