Lettuce?

[Bladesmith]

Am I the only one who has ever wondered if different types of lettuce and greens taste different to our bunny overlords?

[GlennTheLionhead]

I strongly believe they do! My buns will pick out their favourite pieces first very selectively! Even the same lettuce that is just a different colour. They typically show different but consistent levels of excitement when I give them different varieties of greens.

[LBJ10]

I think sometimes a bitter piece can sneak in there. Also, some bunnies prefer baby lettuces because they are sweeter. They will eat baby romaine, for example, but turn their nose up a mature romaine.

[Bladesmith]

@LBJ That’d be Loki.  He loves him some baby greens.  And brussels sprouts.   Also, he loves italian parsley, but not curly.  He’ll eat cilantro, but it’s his last choice on the plate.

[Bam]

In my experience rabbits appreciate bolted lettuce. It’s like they like bitter taste. They do love dandelion greens and stalks and chicory leaves, things that are normally too bitter for humans.

Here’s a excerpt from my notes from an HRS lecture on nutrition and the GI tract:

“Rabbits shown to be more selective than other species. Intake is driven by palatability of different components of plant material.

Rabbits will pick out lowest fiber and highest caloric density they can find, and will still do that in captivity.

Must eat now, because I wont be able to sit here long before a predator turns up.

In captivity: No predators but still same feeding behavior.”

The full lecture can be viewed here:

 

https://youtu.be/uriYlqGHaiY

 

[Bladesmith]

Bam, that’s extremely interesting, and accurate stuff.  Thanks for that link!

[DanaNM]

Mine definitely do! They really go crazy when it’s fresh (either from the garden or the farmers market). If it’s bagged romaine they will eat it eventually, but are pretty meh about it. Oddly mine don’t love butter leaf?

Mine also seem to like bitter greens too!

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Bunny Blue Lyon]

We give Bunny Blue Romaine lettuce. He loves it. We have heard that some varieties aren’t good for bunnies. He enjoys a good dandelion and nibbling the grass in the garden. He tries to eat the tulips but we don’t they are good for him so we try to get him to avoid them.

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