Rabbits are small, friendly herbivores that mostly feed on hay, grass, and other plant-based food items.Rabbits have a very sensitive digestive system, which limits their food intake to only small proportions of necessary foods with few occasional treats. The question can rabbits eat corn? is quite popular among new pet owners and inexperienced breeders.Most rabbits love to eat almost every green and leafy vegetable and should be fed at least twice a day at fixed intervals. But there are some foods that possess no nutritional value for rabbits and can be harmful to our little furry friends out there. There are only certain kinds of food a rabbit can eat and digest properly.Their digestive system works brilliantly at breaking down green plant leaves, grass, and herbs, but not so much when it comes to hard grains and dietary fibers. They cannot digest the latter, and a rabbit’s diet must be monitored carefully, especially when it’s a pet bunny. Similar to humans, rabbits also need certain nutrients to keep their bodies functioning in an efficient manner, including some specific minerals and vitamins. Their diet must consist of a balanced amount of all the required food items and must not contain a high amount of sugar, calcium, or starch. In the case of corn, while some bunnies are able to eat and digest corn kernels very easily without facing any health hazards, it cannot be assumed as a general standard for every rabbit, pet, or in the wild. For most rabbits, eating corn can cause excessive weight gain, intestinal wounds, and blockages in their digestive tract, which is why a rabbit’s diet must be low in fat and carbohydrates, making it safe for rabbits to eat.Liked reading this article so far? You might also like can rabbits eat cucumber and can rabbits eat tomatoes here on Kidadl.Can rabbits eat corn on the cob?Even though rabbits like eating corn, consuming it has its disadvantages for them. The answer to this question is quite simple to understand. Yes, rabbits can eat corn on the cob. However, they should not.The reason behind this, as we already know, is that corn, in general, is not a preferred dietary item for rabbits, which makes fresh corn on the cob even more of an obvious choice among items that should not be fed to bunnies. Usually, a rabbit would not prefer to eat corn cob off the maize, simply because it does not possess any type of nutrients which can benefit a rabbit, and also, it does not have any taste. But in spite of that, few rabbits eat corn on the cob and like doing so because of the fact that corn cobs contain high levels of sugar and starch, which rabbits love eating. If that is the case, then dried corn and corn cob can be offered to them in a very small amount and not in a consistent manner. Dried corn on the cob is comparatively safer for their consumption than fresh corn and corn cobs, but only for an adult rabbit.Small baby rabbits, especially those under the age of 12 weeks, should under no circumstance be fed corn or corn cobs because their gastrointestinal systems are even more delicate and sensitive than adult rabbits, and consuming corn can cause blockages and harm them internally. Some also believe that corn cobs also make great dental toys for rabbits, however, that is not true. Corn cobs do not have the correct abrasive texture and hence are no good in preventing the overgrowth of a bunny’s teeth.What happens if bunnies eat corn?Rabbits are a little sensitive when it comes to their surroundings. They need time to adjust and fit in with the environment and the kind of food available for their intake.The food item in question, corn, is not only not nutritious for rabbits but also has no dietary benefits for them. Eating corn makes rabbits susceptible to internal distress and organ malfunctioning. Along with facing digestive problems, it makes them physically weak and vulnerable, which reduces their survival capability. And not only corn kernels, but even the plant part of it, along with canned corn or sweetcorn, are also equally dangerous for rabbits. Even though these food items have high fiber and health derivatives, they are not suitable for bunnies, especially baby rabbits. In addition to that, consuming corn kernels and other maize products can be severely life-threatening for baby bunnies because their lack of teeth makes them swallow food to be digested instead of chewing it first, and that creates a risk of choking for any baby rabbit, not to mention that it is indigestible and may cause food poisoning.On the other hand, if rabbits are fed cooked corn once in a while, then they can eat it without much risk as the choking hazard goes down significantly.Can rabbits eat corn husk?Even though rabbits have generic food requirements, every rabbit has a different preference in terms of what they can and cannot eat.In some cases, yes, rabbits can eat corn husks. However, the quantity of intake should be strictly monitored, and in no case can the husks be raw, directly from the maize. Husks are dry and have hard strings, which is why there is a high chance that they can get stuck in a rabbit’s trachea. Along with that, the owners and breeders must ensure that the corn husks are properly washed and processed to remove all the pesticides, insecticides, and other sorts of chemicals which are sprayed on maize in the farm because its consumption can be poisonous for a rabbit. In spite of having high fiber, corn husks are not safe for bunnies. Apart from a few exceptional cases, corn husks are mostly indigestible and can cause blockages in the gastrointestinal pathway of our small furry friends. Corn husks are also very high in carbohydrates and sugar, and worst of all, they contain mycotoxins which have been known to make animals sick and, in some cases, even carry serious health hazards and more so for a rabbit because of their sensitive health.Therefore, it is not wrong to say that thoroughly cleansed corn husk can be given to a rabbit occasionally because even though rabbits cannot eat corn, they can still once in a while enjoy a good source of sugar and fiber in their diet.What do rabbits prefer to eat the most?Rabbits are small herbivorous animals. They mostly like to eat leafy green vegetables, mostly raw but in some cases cooked, like spinach, lettuce, etc. These vegetables are the ideal dietary supplements for them.Apart from what is good and healthy for them, let’s learn about what rabbits like to eat the most. As mentioned earlier, rabbits love sugar and carbohydrates, along with nibbling on hard grains. Apples, bananas, and pears are among some fruits which rabbits are extremely fond of because they contain high amounts of sugar, along with carrot tops and eggplants. A rabbit will also happily chomp down maize products like corn kernels, corn flakes, corn cobs, sweetcorn, pellets, and products obtained from maize plants like a corn husk. Most vegetables are healthy, but a rabbit will eat them without hesitating because of the heavy starch content present in them, which is why it is advisable to give them cooked vegetables, even if they are obtained from plants and can be given to them on a daily basis. Foods with high levels of sugar and starch are what a rabbit will start to crave if pet owners or breeders feed it to them regularly, which is not advisable. Other foods like hay and fresh grass are also loved by bunnies. That being said, most of these foods, even though healthy, are indigestible for them. A bunny will surely love eating cobs, kernels, maize pellets as hard grain, corn flakes, and fruits with seeds. But what the breeders are supposed to feed as treats, if given to them in an unmoderated, irregular manner, can deteriorate their health. If breeders and owners feed these as treats to a rabbit occasionally, it will benefit them. But it should never be included in their regular diet, simply because a bunny cannot digest them.As far as corn is concerned, it is not wrong to say that corn is harmful to a bunny. However, it also gives a bunny the occasional high-in-sugar fiber requirement, which is completely fine. In general, the diet of a bunny must include dietary fiber like hay and pellets and avoid items mentioned above like maize hard grain pellets, corn silk, kernels, and sugary fruits. Regular fiber like hay and fresh leafy greens will help prevent gastrointestinal stasis in a bunny. Therefore, in conclusion, it is safe to say that maize-related food products, especially variations of corn, must strictly be avoided, and items like hay, pellets, and leafy stalks must be included in the diet of a bunny to make their digestion strong and smooth.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for can rabbits eat corn, then why not take a look at can dogs eat raw green beans, or can dogs eat peas.
Rabbits are small, friendly herbivores that mostly feed on hay, grass, and other plant-based food items.
