Do Rabbits Eat Bugs? [Grasshoppers, Aphids…]

This is a question that comes up often, do rabbits eat bugs? Sometimes the question is specific like, do rabbits eat grasshoppers, worms, ladybugs, or ants.

Well, rabbits are herbivores, which means they do not eat meat. Are bugs considered meat? This article is going to talk about why rabbits don’t eat bugs often and how their diet helps keep them healthy!

Do Rabbits Eat Bugs?

No, as a general rule, rabbits do not eat bugs, intentionally. But, there are a few exceptions.

Rabbits are herbivores, so they do not eat meat. Rabbits rely on a fiber intense diet to stay healthy. Bugs and insects do not provide the fiber density rabbits need. Because of this, rabbits do not actively seek out insects as a food source.

Another reason rabbits do not eat bugs is that rabbits are prey animals, not predators. While your pet dog is a predator and may love to stalk insects in the yard, a rabbit’s instinct is to avoid predators and much on plants.

They also do not intentionally try to eat bugs because it will make them sick.

What If My Rabbits Starts Eating Bugs?

Rarely, a rabbit may begin to actively seek out insects to eat. This is extremely rare but can happen. This is typically a sign that your rabbit’s diet needs to be adjusted and they need more fiber.

If this does happen on a repeated basis, it may be worth a visit with the veterinarian to ensure there are no other digestive problems. Rabbits do not show illness until they are quite ill. So, an ounce of prevention is helpful.

The most likely cause of rabbits eating insects. other than a dietary issue, would be due to boredom from being alone. She may try going outside for some exercise and using up pent-up energy in other ways instead of chewing on things inside like furniture or carpeting.

In general, if your pet rabbit starts eating bugs they are probably bored or hungry; both issues should be addressed immediately.

Do Rabbits Get Sick If They Eat A Bug

How To Keep Your Rabbit From Eating Bugs In Your Garden 

Generally, it is more likely that a rabbit will avoid eating bugs in your garden. But, in nature, insects and bugs are plentiful.

Your rabbit eats plants and lots of different bugs from aphids to grasshoppers live on plants. The bigger the insect, the less likely your rabbit will be to accidentally ingest a bug, so our attention is on smaller creepy crawly critters.

Preventing your bunny from eating pesky insects like aphids might seem impossible at times. However, you can use a common organic gardening trick to help protect them!

Here’s how: Use food grade Diatomaceous Earth! Dusting the outdoor plants that your rabbit eats with a food-grade Diatomaceous Earth will help cut down the insect population. Fewer insects means the less chance of your rabbit accidentally eating a bug

Do rabbits eat grasshoppers?

Rabbits would seldom eat grasshoppers because there is no nutritional value for the bunny in doing so.

This does not stop some bunnies from trying if given the opportunity, however. Rabbits have been known to eat insects that they find in the wild, but these instances are usually accidental and very rare.

Anything with a hard outer shell such as grasshoppers would be difficult for them to break open or digest properly due to their teeth structure.

Summary

Rabbits do not have any teeth that can chew food, so they cannot eat anything hard. Also, rabbits are herbivores and therefore eat only plants given their dietary need of high fiber intake. Bugs are not part of a high-fiber diet.

Rabbits would seldom eat grasshoppers because there is no nutritional value for the bunny in doing so – This does not stop some bunnies from trying if given the opportunity; however, rabbits have been known to eat insects that they find in the wild, but these instances are usually accidental and very rare.

If you think your pet is ill, call a vet immediately. All health-related questions should be referred to your veterinarian. They can examine your pet, understand its health history, and make well informed recommendations for your pet.

903pets.com Staff