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Low calcium greens
- Thread starter Steve m
- Start date
This chart provides information on calcium content of various foods given to rabbits. For a healthy rabbit I personally don't think it's necessary to focus too much on calcium content, but I do think it's important to provide a variety each day. If you can access it and can identify it, forage also is a good option especially in the Summer months when it's plentiful. I also feed tree leaves from trees which rabbits are allowed to eat, eg Apple, Pear, Hazel, Hawthorn and Willow. Bramble leaves are also an excellent food for rabbits.
Sorry, forgot the chart
https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/free-food-for-rabbits/calcium-and-rabbit-food
Last edited:
joey&boo
Wise Old Thumper
What do you want your bunnies veg to be low in calcium?
Bunny Buddy
Wise Old Thumper
A healthy rabbit can cope with high calcium foods and excrete the excess calcium through urine. So, unless you know that your rabbit has problem with metabolising calcium then high calcium greens shouldn't be a concern.
The main thing with calcium (especially for rabbits with urinary tract issues) is that they get fluids along with the calcium to help flush it out.
joey&boo
Wise Old Thumper
I agree. Its really important they get enough calcium for healthy bones & teeth. They don't store calcium like we would so need an ongoing supply. In a healthy rabbit I'd worry far more about not enough calcium rather than too much. In a renally compromised rabbit they still need the calcium but if its an excessive amount the kidneys can't process it effectively so the build up can lead to problems, as BB fluids is key with this to help the kidneys do their work
joey&boo
Wise Old Thumper
yes the white wee is calcium. I lost a rabbit to kidney failure 3 months ago, his wee was totally clear - never good for a bun. Its good your bun is weeing out the excess. Being active & slim helps any sediment in the bladder move around so these are good things to aim for with urinary tract health. If it was every wee maybe you could cut back on the high calcium veg & supplement with fresh forage (which tends to be medium range) but to me it all sounds hunky dory
This chart provides information on calcium content of various foods given to rabbits. For a healthy rabbit I personally don't think it's necessary to focus too much on calcium content, but I do think it's important to provide a variety each day. If you can access it and can identify it, forage also is a good option especially in the Summer months when it's plentiful. I also feed tree leaves from trees which rabbits are allowed to eat, eg Apple, Pear, Hazel, Hawthorn and Willow. Bramble leaves are also an excellent food for rabbits.
Sorry, forgot the chart
Thanks for link!
mikek
Warren Veteran
ah, my 2 love apple leaves. plum leaves too.
Unless you have been advised by a vet to limit a rabbit's calcium intake, you don't need to restrict their diet. Rabbits need a regular supply of dietary calcium as their teeth continue to grow throughout their life. Excess is excreted in the urine, so you may sometimes see milky urine - this is normal. Ensuring that they take in sufficient fluids (eg water in a bowl rather than a bottle, fresh greens rather than dried) will keep the bladder free from sediments (to avoid bladder stones). Exercise is also important, as this also helps to avoid sludge build up in the bladder.
There are a few interesting pages with the harcourt-brown link that Omi posted.
There are a few interesting pages with the harcourt-brown link that Omi posted.
