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Pet rabbits getting stoned on lettuce because it will get fluffy-tailed creatures excessive

Pet rabbits are getting stoned on lettuce as owners don’t realise it gets the fluffy-tailed creatures high.

‌As part of Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) – which kicked off today (Monday June 24) and runs until Friday (June 28) – the UK’s 1.2 bunny owners are being warned about rabbit ‘myths’.

‌Among those include the commonly held belief that rabbits should be fed lots of lettuce and carrots.

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In reality vets and animal experts warn that carrots are the equivalent of a chocolate bar for humans and that some types of lettuce – most notably Iceberg lettuce – contains lactucarium.



Owners don’t realise it gets the fluffy-tailed creatures high (stock)

Lactucarium, a milky fluid, is known as ‘rabbit opium’ as it has sedative properties as well as ‘promoting a mild sensation of euphoria’, which can dangerous to bunnies.

‌And despite Bugs Bunny always seen chomping on a carrot, experts say they should only be given as a ‘rare treat’ as they are full of sugar, and like a human eating a Mars Bar.

‌Rabbit experts at Burgess Pet Care, which launched RAW in 2006, said it was celebrating it’s 18th year by trying to ensure its message was getting through.



This week is Rabbit Awareness Week (stock)

They say an average rabbit should weight around 6lbs, with dwarf rabbits around 4lbs, and giant breeds up to 20lb.

‌Experts warn that if a pet bunny develops a ‘pot belly’ and ‘fatty pads’ on its shoulders and legs – or if it is ‘wider than it is long’, you know it’s overweight.

‌Other no-nos include rabbit muesli, chard – which causes rabbits to bloat – rhubarb, which is poisonous to bunnies, and nuts, which give them in indigestion.



Experts gave advice on what rabbits should and shouldn’t eat (stock)

A spokesman for RAW said a healthy diet was ‘vital’ for a ‘happy bunny’, saying that 90% of a bunnies diet should be hay.

‌He added: “A good diet is the cornerstone of your rabbits’ health.

‌“The essential thing is to provide rabbit food that mimics what they would eat naturally.

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“Wild bunnies feed on weeds, grasses, wildflowers, and flower and vegetable plants – foods that are naturally high in fibre.”

‌He added: “Rabbits don’t naturally eat root vegetables, so carrots are generally best avoided.

‌“Some types of lettuce, such as iceberg, contain lactucarium, which can be harmful to rabbits.”