If you are intent on feeding without the use of pellets, try supplements of oats and other concentrates. This will supply the rabbit's nutritional needs, but might not save you much money. Pellets also supply salt, which would not be in any concentrate grains or hay.
Full Answer
Can I put my rabbit on a pellet-free diet?
If your bunny doesn’t like to eat pellets and it’s not caused by health problems, then you can put them on a pellet-free diet. However, you may want to find ways to encourage them to eat their daily pellets before cutting the pellets out completely. Transition your young rabbit to an adult diet slowly.
What should I Feed my Rabbit?
Given below is a detailed feeding chart for rabbit’s aged (3 weeks – 8 weeks). Mother’s milk with the inclusion of small amounts of alfalfa and pellets.
What are the benefits of rabbit feed pellet mill?
Because the rabbit feed pellet mill blends all of the fodder together, the rabbits are unable to pick what they eat. This results in a healthy diet that is equally distributed. This also guarantees that the pellets produced are of excellent quality. 2. Cost Effective
How much Timothy pellets should I Feed my Rabbit?
Adult rabbits should be fed 1/8 to 1/4 cup of Timothy based pellets per 5 pounds of body weight. Some pet rabbit owners do not feed any pellets and supplement with additional leafy greens and vegetables.
What can you feed rabbits when out of pellets?
Rabbit Food Alternatives and SupplementsDandelion Leaves.Broccoli.Collard Greens.Beet Greens.Romaine Lettuce.Spinach.Kale.Mint.More items...•
How do you feed a rabbit a pellet free diet?
If you want to give your rabbit a pellet-free diet, you will need to adjust the quantities of hay and leafy greens that you give your rabbit. This will help to ensure that they can replace the calories they would get from the pellets in their diet.
What happens if a rabbit doesn't eat pellets?
If your adult rabbit has stopped eating pellets, just increase her hay intake. This should make up 80% of her diet anyway. Top this up with more fresh, leafy green vegetables. Baby rabbits can also flourish without pellets.
How do you make rabbit pellets at home?
My Homemade Natural Grain Based Rabbit Food Recipe:6 cups rolled oats.3 cups golden wheat berries.3 cups pearled barley.3 cups hard red wheat berries.3 cups split peas.3 cups black oil sunflower seed.
Can a rabbit survive on just hay?
Rabbits should be fed in a way that is as close as possible to their natural diet: mostly grass or hay. In fact, rabbits could live on hay and water alone, but we recommend providing some fresh leafy vegetables and a small amount of commercial feed.
What to do if bunny stops eating?
Contact your vet immediately if you notice your rabbit not eating properly. It's important to have them examined as soon as possible to prevent them developing any further complications. Emergency - if your rabbit has stopped eating, it's important to contact your vet as soon as possible.
When should rabbits stop eating pellets?
6 to 8 monthsFor young growing rabbits, pellets can be given free choice until 6 to 8 months of age, then decrease to the maintenance amount as above. Store pellets in a closed container in a cool, dry place. Only buy enough for three months at a time. Please note not all commercially available rabbit food are good for rabbits.
Can rabbits eat chicken pellets?
Chicken pellets are bad for rabbits. Chickens and rabbits are two very different animals with their own dietary needs. Since chickens are omnivores, their feed contains protein and calcium. Rabbits do not need calcium included in their diet, and are not able to digest the protein sources in chicken feed.
Do rabbits need pellets and hay?
Rabbits should have a daily diet of mostly hay, a smaller amount of fresh vegetables, and a limited number of pellets. Hay is the most important part of a rabbit's daily intake. Unlimited, high-quality grass hay, such as Timothy, orchard or brome, should make up the bulk of a rabbit's diet.
When should I stop feeding my rabbit alfalfa pellets?
Around six monthsYou should phase out alfalfa at around four to five months old. Around six months, slowly start swapping out alfalfa in favor of grass hays and ease up on the pellets. Adult rabbits should eat around 1/4 cup of pellets per day for every five pounds of weight they have, according to Helmer.
How many times a day should I feed my rabbit pellets?
Don't overfeed pellets – one eighth of a cup for a small rabbit per day is more than adequate OR you could choose to not feed pellets at all! There are no pellets out there in the wild and rabbits do very well without them! Don't skimp on the hay – a ball about the same size as your bunny per day is a great guide.
How often should rabbits eat pellets?
dailyPellets. Feed your rabbits a small amount of good quality pellets or nuggets daily. Give them the right amount - measure 25g (an eggcup-full) of pellets per kg of your rabbit's body weight.
What do rabbits eat?
The answer is simple. Rabbits thrive on high-fiber diets rich in grass hays including timothy, brome and orchardgrass hay. Those new to rabbit ownership may think the big bags of pellets for sale at the local pet store are all a rabbit should eat.
What should a baby bunny eat?
For the first seven weeks of life, a baby rabbit’s diet should consist of mostly its mother’s milk, according to the House Rabbit Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing abandoned rabbits and educating the public on rabbit care.
How old should rabbits be to eat alfalfa?
You should phase out alfalfa at around four to five months old. Around six months, slowly start swapping out alfalfa in favor of grass hays and ease up on the pellets. Adult rabbits should eat around 1/4 cup of pellets per day for every five pounds of weight they have, according to Helmer.
How much fiber is in hay pellets?
For pellets, the House Rabbit Society advises you look for brands that contain at least 18 percent fiber.
What are the most dangerous foods for rabbits?
The most problematic foods for rabbits, according to Helmer, include foods that have a high amount of sugar and foods that have a high amount of carbohydrates, as these items throw off the balance of the bacteria in their gastrointestinal tracts.
Do rabbit pellets have fiber?
Instead, the pellets are more like a rabbit multivitamin, providing supplement al minerals, protein and fiber. “Pellets are far too rich to make up the bulk of [a rabbit’s] diet,” said Dr. Peter Helmer, a specialist in small mammals at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Clearwater, FL.
Can rabbits eat alfalfa hay?
While baby rabbits (which are called kits) thrive on the protein and calcium-rich alfalfa hays, adult rabbits need something a bit more substantial. “It’s like feeding a dog puppy food,” Helmer said. Alfalfa hay is higher in calcium and protein than grass hay, which is ideal for growing rabbits but too rich for adults.
What to feed a baby rabbit?
If it’s ever necessary for you to hand feed a baby rabbit, choose puppy formula or goat’s milk as a better alternative. 9. Toxic plants: Lilies, Ivy, and more. Even though rabbits are herbivores, there are still a number of plants that are toxic when eaten.
What is the best food for a rabbit?
Provide your rabbit with food that is specifically made for the health of a rabbit. I recommend getting Oxbow rabbit food. Oxbow is a trusted brand with an excellent reputation among rabbit caretakers and veterinarians.
How to keep a rabbit healthy?
Over time this could result in some severe health issues. To help your rabbit stay healthy, restrict treats to just a couple tablespoons per day. Weight of rabbit. Amount of treats daily.
What are some good treats for bunnies?
Baked hay treats have a high fiber content with only a little bit of sweet flavoring, making them much healthier for rabbits. You can also give your rabbit small portions of fresh or dried fruits and vegetables as treats instead of getting store-bought treats from a pet store. 5. Iceberg lettuce.
How do you know if a rabbit is active?
It’s easy to tell when a rabbit is active when they zoom and binky around the room , but that’s not the only way to know your rabbit is happy and content in your home. You can watch your rabbit's...
What to feed a stray bunny?
Even though it’s common to see characters in movies and books offering milk to a stray rabbit, this is not a correct or healthy way to feed rabbits. Instead, rabbits should be given water to drink. Daily fresh water is very important for keeping rabbits healthy and hydrated.
Can rabbits eat small amounts of food?
What to feed rabbits in very small amounts. There are plenty of foods that you can feed rabbits in small amounts that would be bad for rabbits to eat in large amounts. While these foods would easily land on a ‘safe for rabbits’ list, that doesn’t mean you should feed them to your rabbit without reserve.
Why won't my rabbit eat pellets?
Since rabbits are more likely to be excited about eating pellets than hay, a rabbit who suddenly refuses to eat their pellets is showing an immediate sign that they might be sick. Healthy brands of pellets are also fortified with vitamins and nutrients that are helpful for rabbits.
What is the best food for a rabbit?
A healthy rabbit diet should consist of about 80% of your rabbit’s daily food being grass-based hay (such as timothy hay). Fresh leafy greens should also be given to pet rabbits on a daily basis (about 1-3 cups depending on your rabbit’s size).
What to do if your rabbit is ignoring hay?
So if your rabbit is completely ignoring their hay, then you’ll want to reduce their pellets a little bit. Young rabbits should also be eating an alfalfa-based diet, rather than a timothy-based diet. Alfalfa hay has a higher concentration of calcium and proteins.
Why did rabbits gain weight?
The types of pellets that were made were high in fat and protein, sometimes even using animal fats. They caused these rabbits to gain weight quickly and survive in the harsh, stressful conditions they were kept in.
How do you know if a rabbit is active?
It’s easy to tell when a rabbit is active when they zoom and binky around the room , but that’s not the only way to know your rabbit is happy and content in your home. You can watch your rabbit's...
Can rabbit pellets cause obesity?
In fact, research suggests that excess pellets can end up causing obesity and related illnesses in rabbits. The more we learn about rabbit health, the more we can adjust our rabbit’s diets to make them balanced and healthy. This means looking critically at the food we give our rabbits and deciding if it is all still important as part ...
Can you give rabbits pellets?
Many people will recommend giving young rabbits unlimited pellets, but it’s best to be cautious with this approach. You want to make sure your young rabbit is eating hay in addition to their pellets. So if your rabbit is completely ignoring their hay, then you’ll want to reduce their pellets a little bit.
What do rabbits eat?
Rabbits need vegetables daily to maintain their health and happiness. Root vegetables like carrots should only be fed as a treat. Leafy, darker greens should account for most of the vegetables that you feed your rabbit. Kale, romaine lettuce and cilantro are excellent veggies that your rabbit will love.
How often should I feed my rabbit hay?
Q. How many times a day should I feed my rabbit?#N#A. Pellets and vegetables can be fed once a day, preferably in the evening around 7:00 PM. Hay should be offered several times a day and always be fresh. Here you can learn more about the best hay for rabbits.
Can you feed baby rabbit pellets to adult rabbits?
Alfalfa based pellets are higher, much higher in calcium and protein which is great for a rapidly growing baby rabbit. Never feed these pellets to adult rabbits.
What Are The Benefits Of Feeding Your Bunny Pellets?
Rabbit pellets are a mixture of chopped hay and other minerals, notably fibre. While these are the most common components in pellets, some pellets can contain artificial colours or vegetable additions that aren’t required.
How To Correctly Feed Pellets To Rabbits?
When supplemented with the right fruits and vegetables, rabbit pellet diets are nutritious and tasty. You must, however, understand how to feed your rabbit pellets securely and correctly.
Do Rabbits Need Pellets In Their Daily Diet?
Pellets have long been a component of a rabbit’s diet, but that doesn’t mean they’re good for them. Excess pellets may, in fact, cause obesity and other diseases in rabbits, according to study.
What Kind Of Pellets Should I Feed My Bunny?
Pellets should not contain dried fruit, seeds, nuts, colourful crunchy objects, or other visually appealing items.
Should I Stop Giving My Rabbit Pellets?
Pellets are still considered a healthy element of a balanced rabbit diet when provided in tiny amounts.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Rabbit Feed Pellet Mill?
A rabbit feed pellet mill is a must-have tool for anybody in the rabbit farming business since it allows them to feed their rabbits in a cost-effective and nutritious manner.
Should Young Rabbits Eat Pellets?
Adult rabbits require a different mix of pellets in their diet than young rabbits that are still growing. Their bodies are still growing, so they may benefit from the concentrated nutrients found in their daily pellets.
How much pellets should a baby rabbit eat?
A baby rabbit needs to eat 1/2 cup of pellets per 6 lbs. of body weight. You don’t need to overfeed your baby pellets with high calorie pellets, which can cause overweight and health risks. Truly, a baby rabbit’s feeding requirements are complex.
What is a pellet rabbit?
2). Pellets are a cheaper source of essential nutrients.
How old are baby rabbits when they start feeding?
Pellet Feeding Charts for Baby Rabbits (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Weeks Old) Once a baby rabbit becomes 3 weeks old, the nutrients of the mother’s milk will not sustain the continuous growth of the rabbit. As a result, supplements will have to be included in the baby rabbit’s diet.
Why are rabbit pellets important?
Increased immunity and growth. Pellets contain essential nutrients required for the proper growth and development of rabbits. They also aid the proper function of the rabbits immune system. Pellets improve the efficiency of the digestive system of baby rabbits. Thus, improving their growth rate and immunity.
How old should rabbits be to eat pellets?
It is important to note that although pellets are recommended in unlimited quantity, you should not do this until the rabbits are at least 7 weeks old. Given below is a detailed feeding chart for rabbit’s aged (3 weeks – 8 weeks). Number of weeks. Recommended feed.
How long does it take for a rabbit to digest food?
According to Rabbit-hole-hay, from the time of a rabbit’s birth, till it gets to eight weeks, its digestive system will be in it’s formative stages. It can be easily damaged if exposed to certain food types too early, or too late. Pellets are an important part of any rabbit’s diet.
What is the best formula for orphaned babies?
According to Ms Kenyon’s summarized instructions, the best formula for orphaned babies is the Pet Ag’s Goat’s Milk Esbilac. Once you get the formula, use a syringe or an eye drop container to administer the formula.
What is the best food for bunnies?
But while rabbits require a special high-fiber diet—think high-quality Timothy hay, fresh vegetables, and herbs— hamster food will do little to nothing for your bunny’s nutrition. 8. Walnuts. Walnuts are high in fat, not fiber, which can cause your rabbit uncomfortable indigestion.
What can I not feed my bunny?
Check out our list of 15 foods that you should never feed your rabbit: 1. Yogurt Drops.
What leafy greens should I avoid for rabbits?
Iceberg lettuce also contains mostly water and will add little to no nutrition to a diet. 6. Silverbeet. Like iceberg lettuce, silverbeet—sometimes referred to as chard—is another leafy green that your rabbit should avoid.
What foods can I give my bunny to help him with stomach issues?
2. Bread, Pasta, Cookies, and Crackers. These high-carb sugary treats will really only “treat” your bunny to stomach issues. Avoid foods high in sugar or artificial ingredients, as—like yogurt drops—they could potentially lead to enterotoxemia. 3.
Why are bunnies so adaptable?
Their distinctive ability to process fiber and nutrients makes them adaptable to many different environments, but their unique digestive systems mean that their guardians must be extra-cautious when feeding them. A number of foods can disrupt bunnies’ digestion and be harmful to their health.
What vegetables can be poisonous to rabbits?
Potatoes. Although potatoes won’t necessarily poison rabbits, this human-favorite vegetable isn’t ideal for them. Potatoes are high in carbohydrates and starch, both of which can cause issues for your bunny’s digestive system. 13. Rhubarb. This common garden plant can be poisonous to animals if eaten raw.
Can rabbits eat avocados?
Avocado. When you think of ideal rabbit snacks, fresh fruits and veggies probably come to mind. Avocados, however, should never be included in your bunny’s diet. According to Small Pet Select, this fatty fruit can be deadly if ingested by a rabbit. © iStock.com/Zelenenka.
