Are you considering offering your rabbit mangetout but are not sure whether it is a good idea? Perhaps you have some leftover in the fridge, or maybe you are looking to increase the variety in your bunny’s diet. Either way, this is what you need to know.

So, can rabbits eat mangetout? Rabbits can eat mangetout, and they are in fact, one of the better vegetables you can look to feed. A small serving, varied with other safe greens, each day is advised. That being said, they should never displace or be fed in place of hay – which must make up the majority of the diet.

That’s the short of it.

But there is a little bit more to offering mangetout than that.

Besides, getting your rabbit’s diet right is paramount.

Unlike some other animals or pets, you just cannon afford to get it wrong.

With complex digestive systems and being highly efficient at processing food.

So how do you offer mangetout with this in mind

Let’s get into the details!

Is Mangetout Healthy For Rabbits?

Mangetout is a very healthy green vegetable that you can look to offer to your rabbit. It is low in calories, carbohydrates, rich in a number of important vitamins and minerals, and high in fiber. Nevertheless, it should be rotated with other green vegetables and supplement the diet.

Here’s an interesting fact.

Mangetout is a French word, (if you hadn’t guess already) and the direct translation is ‘eat all’; and the same can be said for your rabbit too!

They can consume all the mangetout when offered.

And here is why.

Mangetout is essentially young, tender garden peas. They are purposefully picked young long before the peas have developed.

And this makes mangetout essentially just fiber, among a number of important nutrients:

Nutritional Content Of Mangetout

Name	Amount
Energy	16 Calories
Protein	1.8 g
Carbohydrates	2 g
of which sugars	2 g
Fiber	1.5 g
Fat	0.1 g
Magnesium	12 mg
Potassium	150 mg
Vitamin C	27 mg
Vitamin B1	0.11mg
Vitamin K	12.5μg
Vitamin A	24 µg

Per 50g of Mangetout, Raw

So as we can see, a great nutritional profile.

Most importantly, mangetout offers fiber which is just so crucial to a healthy digestive system.

And then onto the vitamins and minerals; mangetout is especially Vitamin A.

Tof which hugely contribute to the nutritional needs of a rabbit, and can be difficult to obtain.

Nevertheless, mangetout should be fed excessively or exclusively to rabbits.

Far from it.

As we shall now see in the next section.

How Much Mangetout Should A Rabbit Eat

Mangetout should be fed to a rabbit as part of a varied diet that mostly consists of hay. Even then, the amount of mangetout you feed should be dependent on their age, size, and general health status.

In reality, not every rabbit should be eating the same amount of mangetout.

And if you are yet to offer this particular vegetable – it is essential that you introduce it slowly.

Any food forced, or rushed into the diet, can result in digestive upset.

So when first feeding, do monitor your rabbit closely and see how they respond. Check their stools and ensure they do not suffer from any adverse effects such as bloating or diarrhea.

Nonetheless, the following recommendations can give you a rough idea of how much to feed, by age:

Rabbit Age	Mangetout Amount
Kittens (under 12 weeks)	0
Young rabbits >13 weeks	25-50g, per serving
Rabbits > 1 year old	100g, per serving

So as you can see, you don’t need to offer a lot.

An adult rabbit should only be eating around 2 cups of vegetables, per day. Mangetout should contribute to that total.

And those other vegetables should be varied and come from a range of sources.

Green leafy vegetables are best here, with the likes of romaine lettuce, asparagus, courgette, cucumber beet greens, mustard greens, green peppers, broccoli greens, bok choy, and carrot tops being favored.

You need to be particularly careful of more carbohydrate-dense vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, and other roots like swede.

And remember, hay should always come first.

That should be available all day every day.

Mangetout, and other servings of vegetables, are best served at specific times each day.

How To Feed Your Rabbit Mangetout

Rabbits primarily graze for their food, needing to eat consistently throughout the day. Although, it is hay that they need continuous access to. Alternatively, mangetout should be offered in portioned amounts and at set times of the day.

When it comes to feeding mangetout to your rabbit, you do need to be a little mindful.

Unlike hay that you should provide liberally, mangetout should be weighed, measured and fed in controlled portions (along with the other vegetables you choose to feed).

But when it comes to offering mangetout and vegetables you have a few options:

Feed by hand,
Produce a small bowl of various vegetables.

Mangetout is great because you can feed it whole.

And raw.

You do not need, nor is it advised to cook it first.

You can take a few slices, and feed them directly to your rabbit.

They’re not too challenging for your rabbit to chew either, which is great.

Feeding by hand can be a lovely way to spend some time with your rabbit. Allthewhile building their trust and confidence in you.

Otherwise, you can look to mix mangetout in with other vegetables.

Put them in a small bowl and leave it for your rabbit to consume as and when they desire.

Either way, just be sure to monitor how much you are feeding.

Consider if you are offering other vegetables, less mangetout should be provided.

And do start slowly with any new food.

Feeding a rabbit isn’t too challenging, but it does require careful planning and several considerations.

While most rabbits tolerate mangetout well, when introducing any new food it must be done so in a careful, controlled manner.

And lastly, be sure to prepare the mangetout ahead of time. You may need to give it a wash to remove any dirt or debris.

Finally

Thankfully, mangetout is entirely safe and suitable for most rabbits.

With the odd few exceptions, of course.

But nonetheless, this green fibrous vegetable does provide a decent amount of nutrition, does not contain anything toxic naturally, and is relatively easy for a rabbit to consume.

But as with any vegetable, it needs to be introduced slowly.

See how your rabbit responds and if they even like it.

Besides, there is no guarantee they will even eat it if provided.

And in that case, simply move on to something else they enjoy. Never force it. There is really no need.

And it should be routinely changed with other suitable vegetables too.

Even then.

Vegetables should always come second.

Hay should form the basis of any rabbit’s diet.

And they need to get through quite a bit for a healthy digestive system and for sufficient natural teeth grinding.

Wondering what else your rabbits can and cannot eat? My following feeding guides below may be of help:

Jeremy Williams

I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.

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