The daily diet of an adult pet rabbit should consist of:
- Unlimited access to hay;
- Fresh food: leafy vegetables, non-leafy vegetables and a little amount of very high fiber fruit (optional);
- A small amount of proper and good quality commercial rabbit mix or pellets.
What are the best things to feed your Bunny?
- Arugula
- Carrot tops
- Cucumber leaves
- Endive
- Ecarole
- Frisee Lettuce
- Kale (all types)
- Mache
- Red or green lettuce
- Romaine lettuce
What should I Not Feed my Rabbit?
What NOT to Feed Your Pet Rabbit (List Included)
- Unhealthy pellet mixes. Unfortunately, there are a lot of rabbit food mixes found in pet stores that are not actually healthy for rabbits.
- Bad vegetables: potatoes, onions, and more. Because rabbits have a sensitive digestive system, all fruits and vegetables should be limited. ...
- Cereal and processed grains. ...
- Store-bought rabbit treats. ...
- Iceberg lettuce. ...
How much do you feed a bunny?
A rabbit should eat a day a: minimum of150 g of hay, 100 g of vegetables, and 30 g of rabbit feed per rabbit. If your pet does like to eat feed, you can increase the amount of vegetables and hay. These amounts are a reference, each rabbit is different, so it is essential to control its weight by weighing it on a scale weekly.
Why do Rabbits eat their own poop?
The fiber in hay for rabbits makes intestinal transit efficient, but in some ways, too inefficient. It is for this reason lagomorphs, a category of mammal including rabbits, hares and pikas, eat their own poop. In doing so, they are able to fully digest their food and reduce waste.
Are you supposed to feed your bunny everyday?
As grazing animals, rabbits need to have an unlimited supply of fresh hay daily.
What are good foods to feed a bunny?
Green, leafy vegetables are good for bunnies. You can include arugula, basil, bok choy, broccoli leaves, carrot tops, celery, clover, collard greens, dandelion leaves, dill, endive, kale in small quantities, romaine and dark leaf lettuce, mint, mustard greens, parsley, and watercress.
How much should you feed a bunny per day?
The total amount of fresh food that you may give to your rabbit daily (once your bunny has been gradually introduced to it), is a minimum of 1 heaping cup (loosely packed), per 5 pound of body weight, given two times a day.
What greens can rabbits eat daily?
Rabbits must have an adult-sized handful of safe, washed leafy green vegetables, herbs and weeds daily.Feed a variety of greens daily - ideally 5-6 different types, such as cabbage, kale, broccoli, parsley and mint.Introduce new types of greens gradually, in small amounts, to avoid potential stomach upsets.
What is a bunny's favorite treat?
Some of their favorites are radishes and their green tops, bell peppers, leafy greens (basil, cilantro, romaine, frisee, watercress, dandelion greens), pumpkin, and more. For more information, check out The House Rabbit Society's rabbit food ideas on their site.
How much veggies should a rabbit eat a day?
A good rule of thumb is 1 tablespoon of non-leafy green veggies per 2 pounds of body weight per day. For example, a rabbit that weighs 3 pounds should get roughly 1/8 cup (2 Tbsp) pellets, 1.5 cups leafy greens, and 1.5 tablespoons of chopped veggies (non-leafy greens).
Can bunnies eat bananas?
Fresh, raw bananas can be consumed safely, but only in moderation. While bananas are rich in water, potassium, vitamin B6 and antioxidants, they're also packed with starch and sugar. Too much sugar and starch in a rabbit's diet can lead to digestive problems, an upset stomach, gas and diarrhea.
Can bunnies eat apples?
Pet rabbits like to eat fresh fruits as occasional treats. Apple is a safe and harmless fruit choice for rabbits, according to Dana Krempels of the University of Miami Department of Biology. Keep apples and other treats to a minimum, however, as the sugar content is high.
What should I not feed my rabbit?
Check out our list of 15 foods that you should never feed your rabbit:Yogurt Drops. ... Bread, Pasta, Cookies, and Crackers. ... Avocado. ... Cereal. ... Iceberg Lettuce. ... Silverbeet. ... Hamster Food. ... Walnuts.More items...•
Can bunnies eat bananas?
Fresh, raw bananas can be consumed safely, but only in moderation. While bananas are rich in water, potassium, vitamin B6 and antioxidants, they're also packed with starch and sugar. Too much sugar and starch in a rabbit's diet can lead to digestive problems, an upset stomach, gas and diarrhea.
What fruit can I feed my bunny?
Foods to feed your rabbit as a treatApples (seeds removed) High in sugar, apples should only be fed to rabbits as a treat.Banana. Also high in sugar, it's safe for rabbits to eat bananas occasionally.Blackberries.Blueberries.Carrot tops. ... Dandelion. ... Grapes.
Can bunnies eat apples?
Pet rabbits like to eat fresh fruits as occasional treats. Apple is a safe and harmless fruit choice for rabbits, according to Dana Krempels of the University of Miami Department of Biology. Keep apples and other treats to a minimum, however, as the sugar content is high.
What do bunnies eat?
They require a balanced diet of hay, fresh veggies and fruit, and a few pellets. Rabbits have very sensitive digestive tracts, so the transition to hay or pellets, or the introduction of new fruits and vegetables, must be done gradually to allow the rabbit’s system to adjust.
What percentage of rabbits eat hay?
The bottom of a rabbit food pyramid would contain long-stemmed fiber, in the form of hay, which makes up 80 to 90 percent of a rabbit’s diet. As grazing animals, rabbits need to have an unlimited supply of fresh hay daily.
Can rabbits eat vegetables?
Rabbits count vegetables and herbs among their favorite foods. Most greens found in a supermarket are safe for rabbits, with a few limitations and exceptions. (See the list of foods to avoid below.)
What to feed a rabbit?
Feeding your rabbit greens from your garden or grass and clover from your lawn is a great idea. Using greens from your own garden is a great way to give a variety of greens to your rabbit and you’ll be able to save money on all those greens your rabbit keeps munching up.
What is the best food for rabbits?
Fiber is essential in a rabbit’s diet. Hay is very high in fiber, which is absolutely essential to a rabbit’s diet. Because of the rabbit’s foraging ancestors, their long digestive tract is set up to break down fibrous vegetation.
What is the best way to keep rabbits' guts moving?
The long fiber strands of hay work much better than the ground-up fiber in commercial rabbit pellets for keeping the rabbits gut moving. One of the most common and dangerous conditions for a rabbit is known as GI stasis. This happens when your rabbits digestion slows down or stops completely.
Why is hay good for rabbits?
Because of the rabbit’s foraging ancestors, their long digestive tract is set up to break down fibrous vegetation. The long fiber strands of hay work much better than the ground-up fiber in commercial rabbit pellets for keeping the rabbits gut moving.
What kind of hay do rabbits eat?
It is incredibly important that your rabbit has is a constant supply of grass-based hay. Grass hay just means that the type of hay in question is made from a process of drying certain types of grass. The fiber and protein content of these grass hays make them ideal for regulating a rabbit’s digestive system.
Why is grass hay important for rabbits?
The fiber and protein content of these grass hays make them ideal for regulating a rabbit’s digestive system. It makes sure your rabbit is absorbing nutrients and everything is running smoothly.
How much water should a rabbit drink?
Rabbits drink a surprisingly large amount of water. They should drink about as much water as a small dog would drink in a day. That comes out to around 1-2 cups of water per day. But, of course, the amount of water a rabbit drinks will vary depending on a number of factors.
What is the best diet for bunnies?
A balanced diet is essential to keep your bunny healthy, happy and live a longer life. Rabbits should be taken care of well just like any other animal. Therefore a proper and balanced diet is essential. A balance in fruits and vegetables is critical in ensuring healthy rabbits.
What to feed a 3 month old rabbit?
These foods give beneficial roughage and essential vitamins. Young rabbits of three months can be introduced to vegetables one by one at a time. This practice helps you to identify the cause of the problem in the case of a digestive issue. Vegetables of different colors are healthy. The ones with dark leaves and also those with roots should be preferred. When the rabbit gets used to vegetables, you may now feed them at least three different kinds on a daily basis so that you mix nutrients. Examples of vegetables rich in diet include; Kale, broccoli, mint, mustard greens, spinach, carrots and carrot tops, green papers, basil, clover among others.
What is the best food for rabbits?
Alfalfa Hay: It contributes a high percentage of a rabbit’s diet and should be available all the time. Those below seven months old may eat Alfalfa hay while the older rabbits may have grass hay or oat hay. This food is outstanding in a rabbit’s health because it helps in the reduction of the danger of hairballs and blockages.
How long does it take for a baby rabbit to eat?
Baby rabbits. It feeds on the mother’s milk for almost the first three weeks. After three weeks it starts feeding on some hay and pellets. By seven weeks, they are fed on lots of alfalfa hay, pellets plus the mother’s milk. Weaning is carried out at the age of eight weeks, and it also depends on the breed.
Why are pellets important for rabbits?
They are more important to young rabbits because they contain high levels of nutrients and thus appropriate in ensuring proper weight gain. They are high in fiber content and nutritionally balanced. Mature rabbits should feed on less of this food and more hay and vegetables. Feeding pellets to growing rabbits can cause obesity and other medical complications.
Why do rabbits need to be fed differently?
Rabbits at different stages need to be fed differently for better health improvement, proper digestion, and excellent weight management. Abrupt changes in diet are not advisable.
What do rabbits eat?
Examples of vegetables rich in diet include; Kale, broccoli, mint, mustard greens, spinach, carrots and carrot tops, green papers, basil, clover among others.
What is the best food for a rabbit?
The most important thing for a healthy rabbit diet is hay. Hay should be the primary source of a rabbit’s diet, in fact, it should make up as much as 70% of their food intake. Hay is very good for a rabbits digestive system. It helps maintain dental health. It provides a large chunk of your bunny’s nutritional needs.
Does Kris have a bunny?
Kris has had (and loved) Bunnies most of his adult life - he's even looked after friends fur babies too! He knows what makes them tick...and what makes them binky!
Can bunnies eat fruit?
Fruit, however, is considered to be a treat for rabbits – akin to consuming a cupcake in for a human. Fruit should be given to our little fluff monsters in moderation, a small handful a day is generally recommended. Now that we know how much fruit and vegetables to give our bunnies as part of their healthy diet, ...
What is the best food for a bunny?
Green Is Good. One of the best fresh foods you can give your bunny is green, leafy vegetables. It's important to use rot-free, thoroughly washed items. Offer three different types each day, around a cup of greens for every three pounds of rabbit. Here are some excellent suggestions.
How long should I feed my rabbit pellets?
1–3 months: Babies suckle until seven weeks old, but should have access to pellets from around four weeks, in small amounts. 4–7 months: Unlimited pellets.
Why is water important for rabbits?
In the case of rabbits, it's very important that they have fresh water available at all times. Without it, they die very quickly, especially during hot weather or when the rabbit is very active.
Is fruit good for pets?
Fruit is not food. View it as a snack that should be sparingly given. The sugars they contain are natural, but they're still not good for your pet. Don't give more than a tablespoon's worth and don't give it every day. Wash fruit thoroughly, remove all peels and seeds, especially from apples (apple seeds are toxic).
Do bunnies need fiber?
Fiber Is Essential. Rabbits are natural grazers that need a nutritious high-fiber diet. Both this natural behaviour and need can be whacked with one stone—grass hay. Your bunny should have access to this food at all times. There are several types available. Mixed orchid grass.
Can rabbits eat hay?
Hay, fresh foods and water are nutritionally sufficient. When a rabbit enjoys a balanced diet, it doesn't need supplements. Adding them could lead your pet to overdose on certain vitamins and minerals, leading to dangerous illness. You should also avoid these toxic foods. Anything high in carbohydrates, starch and fat.
Is rabbit a herbivore?
Your rabbit is an herbivore. Herbivores are animals that eat plant material. No chicken schnitzel for this customer! A correct diet has freshness and variety. Your favourite ball of fluff needs several items from the supermarket's fruit and vegetable section, minerals, vitamins, fiber and water.
How long does it take for a rabbit to eat alfalfa?
Between 4 to 7 weeks besides his mother’s milk, the young rabbit gets full access to alfalfa and pellets. II. Then, you have fresh food that should be of around 10 – 15% of your pet rabbit’s diet. 3. high-fiber fruits (10% of the fresh part of the diet – none if dieting).
How long do rabbits live on pellets?
Pellets can make young rabbits eat little or no hay and that’s definitely not a good habit. Good eating habits are formed early in life. Pellets: – 4 to 7 weeks – still on mother’s milk; full access to alfalfa and pellets;
Is hay good for bunnies?
You should give your bun unlimited access to these types of hay. Alfalfa (Lucerne) is not a healthy choice for your adult rabbit. Since it has a very high protein level, it’s suitable only for growing youngsters or as an alternative when it comes to putting weight on an underweight rabbit.
Can rabbits eat pellets?
Rabbits can thrive on a pellet/hay only diet. It’s not that big of a deal. What you should check is that he drinks plenty of water. TIP: The quantity of fresh food should be twice the size of the rabbit’s head: chop the vegetables coarsely and gather them snuggly (but not squeezed tightly) into your hands.
What Should I Feed My Bunny?
Rabbits have a fragile digestive system. In that case, you can avoid most health problems by feeding your rabbit the proper diet. The following are the vital constituents of a rabbit’s diet.
What should I not feed my bunny?
In any case, you should not feed your bunny the items listed below because they can cause stomach upset, obesity, and other health problems. Whenever you are in doubt about what to feed your bunny, ask for advice from your vet.
What time should I feed my bunny?
The best time to feed your bunny is at dawn and dusk. Rabbits are naturally active before sunrise and after sunset (i. e they are crepuscular). When in the wild, rabbits feed during these periods because they face less risk of attack from predators.
Should I feed my bunny three times a day?
While you need to give your rabbit hay at all times, it is not always necessary that your rabbit eats pellets and greens three times a day. Ideally, you should feed two times daily. What is important is that you maintain a good feeding schedule.
Do you feed a bunny every day?
Yes. Like most other pet animals, rabbits need their feed daily. The longest a rabbit can go without food is 12hours. If a rabbit goes more than this time without eating, the pH in the gastrointestinal tract will change, and gas-producing bacteria will grow.
Do rabbits stop eating when they are full?
Rabbits do recognize when they are full. Some rabbits can self-regulate their food consumption and eat reasonable amounts of food. And others may eat too much and pay attention to low-quality foods that are high in calories. In most cases, rabbits get greedy when they see vegetables and treats.
Conclusions
You are what you eat. Not only you but your pet bunny too. A good diet in the right proportion and appropriate frequency will save you money, time, and the heartache of taking care of a sick bunny.
