Some doubts arise regarding the feeding of herbivorous animals, such as rabbits and horses. Many wonder if they can eat the same food since they belong to the same class: mammals. But can rabbits eat horse food?

After all, the rabbit is such a small pet and the horse is a huge animal! So, is there any food in common between the two? Today, we are going to talk more about this subject to answer our readers’ doubts. Check out!

Find out if rabbits can eat horse food

Before answering whether rabbits can eat horse food, do you know what rabbit food and horse food are made of? Can both eat extruded food? What benefits does it provide to pets?

First, quality extruded food must have a little of what each pet needs for a balanced diet. Furthermore, the food must contain only specific foods, depending on the animal’s eating habits (whether it is carnivorous, herbivorous, or omnivorous).

In this case, both the horse and the rabbit are herbivores, so there cannot be proteins of animal origin in the feed. Check out the main ingredients in each of their foods below.

What’s in rabbit food?

• alfalfa;
• rice;
• whole oats;
• dehydrated carrot;
• wheat and soy bran;
• soy fiber;
• soy oil;
• vegetable pulp, such as spinach, carrots, beets, celery, parsley and watercress;
• sunflower seed;
• vitamins and minerals.

What’s in horse feed?

• rice;
• oat;
• barley;
• fab, broad beans, or broad beans;
• crumbs;
• linseed;
• corn;
• sunflower seeds;
• soy with fat;
• lupins;
• wheat;

vitamins and minerals.

Do you have foods in common? Yes, but can rabbits eat horse food? The answer is no, as the amount of vitamins and minerals present in horse feed is much higher than that contained in rabbit feed.

This is because the horse’s feed is made thinking precisely about how big it is and needs to develop. Furthermore, horses are used for sports, riding, and transportation, which requires much more energy in terms of food density for them than for rabbits.

Even rabbits used as a source of human food protein cannot eat horse feed, as it can compromise the health of the ears. Furthermore, horse feed contains much greater amounts of carbohydrates than rabbit feed.

Therefore, when we answer no to “Can rabbits eat horse food?”, it is because each food is produced according to what each living being needs. Although feed is an excellent food and can be offered to both horses and rabbits, they can receive other foods in their routine. Check it out below.

Do rabbits and horses eat hay?

Yes, hay is a rabbit food that is also useful for horses when they cannot graze. Both the horse and the rabbit can receive hay as much as they want, as it is rich in fiber and low in calories.

Of course, the quantity will also be different, as the size of both is completely unequal. Furthermore, when the horse has a suitable place to graze, hay is not offered in large quantities, as it eats fresh grass.

Some owners also tend to plant bushes and herbs for their rabbits. Still, hay must be included in your enclosure. For the rabbit, in addition to helping with intestinal function, hay also helps with the wear of the pet’s teeth, as they never stop growing.

What fruits do the rabbit and the horse eat?

Knowing whether rabbits can eat horse food, it is also common to wonder whether, in addition to hay, they can share other types of food, such as fruits and vegetables.

In addition to hay, which is a common food offered to rabbits and horses, they can also eat some fruits. Fruits should be offered in a variety of ways and, at most, three times a week.

The fruits most recommended for horses and rabbits are apples, strawberries, pears, and bananas. In fact, horses love apples, but their seeds contain cyanide, a very potent toxin that can cause the animal’s death.

So, never give fruit seeds to pets. Also remove pits, such as those from peach, nectarine, plum, and cherry. Cut the fruit into pieces suitable for rabbits and horses.

Does a horse eat vegetables?

Just like rabbits, horses also eat some vegetables that can be included in the pet’s dietary routine in small quantities. Among those that pets eat in common are carrots, beets, pumpkins, and broccoli.

Can a rabbit eat horse food? No, but both can eat some leaves in common, such as carrot leaves and cabbage leaves. So, in addition to hay and food, other foods can be added to balance the pets’ eating routine.

It is important that you consult a veterinarian to find out how to care for a rabbit and/or a horse correctly, starting with food! She will guarantee the health and well-being of your best friend.