What-toFeed.com

what to feed domesticated rabbits

by Chadrick Doyle Jr. Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  • Hay. Fresh hay should make up the bulk of your rabbit’s diet and needs to be readily available at all times.
  • Vegetables. A varied assortment of vegetables should be a part of your rabbit’s daily diet. When choosing vegetables look for something fresh and free of pesticides.
  • Water. Fresh water must always be available to your rabbit. If you have a cage, a hanging water bottle is a fine option.
  • Pellets. These should be purchased so that they are fresh, as bunnies will turn their noses up at stale pellets.
  • Treats. Everybody loves a treat now and then, but to ensure your rabbits health they should be given only occasionally.
  • Further Information. Fisher, Cindy, “Plants Poisonous to Rabbits,” http://www.allearssac.org/badplants.html ... P.A. Smith has been living with house rabbits since 1995.

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.

What is the best rabbit feed?

  • Don't necessarily trust the portion guidelines on the package of your rabbit food. ...
  • Rabbit food should contain plant-based ingredients only. Rabbits are herbivores, which means they only eat plant matter (though added vitamins and minerals are fine).
  • Consider using a treat ball. ...
  • Always check the nutritional analysis of your chosen rabbit food. ...

What is the best rabbit food?

Rabbit Food: Suggested Vegetables and Fruits for a Rabbit Diet

  • Hay Is The Most Important Rabbit Food. The majority of the house rabbit diet should be composed of grass hay (any variety). ...
  • List of Possible Fruits and Vegetables. NOTE: It is always preferable to buy organic produce if at all possible. ...
  • Alkaloids and Other Worries. ...
  • Concerns About Gas. ...

What stores sell Bunnies?

– Finding Out What They Are Selling At Their Stores!

  • Adopting Or Purchasing Expense. How much do bunnies cost at Petsmart? ...
  • Other Relevant Questions. Has PetSmart ever sold bunnies? They used to be a paradise for bunny lovers to come to buy and play with rabbits.
  • Conclusion. Going through this article, you might find the answer to this question “ Does PetSmart sell rabbits?

What to feed your pet rabbit?

Your rabbit may enjoy some of the following vegetables:

  • Basil
  • Bok choy
  • Broccoli leaves (stems or tops can make rabbits gassy)
  • Carrot tops (carrots are high in calcium and should be given sparingly)
  • Celery
  • Cilantro
  • Clover
  • Collard greens
  • Dandelion leaves
  • Dill

More items...

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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.

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 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.

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 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.

What do rabbits eat?

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. Grass hay is high in fiber, which is critical ...

Why do rabbits eat pellets?

Over-feeding pellets to adult rabbits is a common cause of obesity and soft stool (caused by an overgrowth of abnormal bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract), as pellets are generally low in fiber and high in carbohydrates. In addition to hay, wild rabbits eat a lot of other fresh vegetation.

What happens if you feed a rabbit too quickly?

If you introduce new foods too quickly, or feed inappropriate food choices, the rabbit's normal digestive flora (normal bacteria) will be disturbed, gas- and toxin-producing bacteria can overgrow, and the rabbit may become very sick and possibly die.

What vegetables should I eat to help with GI flora?

Other acceptable vegetables include broccoli, green peppers, Brussel sprouts, endive, wheat grass, radicchio, and squash. Iceberg or head lettuce should not be fed, as it is mainly water and contains few nutrients. Carrots should be fed sparingly, as they are very high in carbohydrate and may upset GI bacterial flora.

Do rabbits like water?

Some rabbits prefer water bowls, and others prefer sipper bottles. If you offer water in a sipper bottle, be sure to inspect it for clogs and fill it with clean water daily. If you offer your rabbit water in a bowl, make sure the rabbit does not spill it in its cage or soil it with feces.

Is a rabbit a herbivore?

Rabbits are herbivores (plant eaters) and are considered grazers, in that they eat continuously. They have complex digestive systems and are very efficient at processing food. They also have very specific dietary needs.

Can rabbits eat grass hay?

Grass hay is high in fiber, which is critical to maintaining a rabbit’s healthy digestive tract. While young, growing rabbits can eat any type of grass hay , alfalfa hay is not recommended for adult rabbits, as it is too rich in protein and too high in calcium.

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 should I feed my rabbit?

These foods should make up about 75% of the fresh portion of your rabbit’s diet (about 1 packed cup per 2 lbs of body weight per day). Leafy Greens I (need to be rotated due to oxalic acid content and only 1 out of three varieties of greens a day should be from this list) Parsley. Spinach. Mustard greens.

What is the best food for rabbits?

The bulk of fresh foods should be made up of leafy greens (about 75% of the fresh part of the diet). Any leafy green that is safe for a human or a horse to eat is safe for a rabbit to consume.

What do rabbits eat?

Rabbits will also eat bark on trees, tender twigs and sprouts, fruits, seeds and other nutritious foods in much small amounts.

What vegetables are good for rabbits?

Most of the fresh vegetables we feed rabbits have a low to zero level of oxalic acid, but a few, most notably parsley, mustard greens and spinach have relatively high levels. (Note that kale, which is often implicated as a high oxalate food is actually very low in oxalates).

How long does it take for rabbits to see blood?

One study done on rabbits indicated that it would take several weeks of exclusively feeding huge quantities of these foods to see any abnormalities in the blood. This is so far removed from normal feeding instructions for rabbits that there is no cause for concern in feeding these nutritious foods.

What are the chemicals in rabbits?

The one most talked about with rabbits is oxalic acid and it is completely harmless to animals or humans when consumed in small amounts.

What foods can cause GI problems in rabbits?

Foods that are notorious for causing rabbit GI problems when fed improperly are grains of any kind and legumes (beans, peas, etc). Even starchy root vegetables and fruits if fed to excess with their high load of sugars and starch could be a problem and should only be fed as a very small part of the diet.

Why do rabbits eat hay?

Hay is important for rabbits because it provides the essential fiber needed for good digestive health and it helps wear down a rabbit’s teeth (which continuously grow) for good dental health. Placing hay at one end of a litter box will also encourage the use of the litter box, as rabbits tend to eat hay and poop at the same time.

What fruits do bunnies eat?

Some fruits that rabbits enjoy include: Strawberries. Raspberries. Bananas. Pineapple. Apples (no seeds) For more information about the types and amounts of food you should provide your bunny as he/she matures from birth into old age, see the House Rabbit Society’s article, FAQ: Diet.

What to look for in rabbit pellets?

Look for pellets that are high in fiber and low in protein. You will need to limit your rabbit’s pellet intake as he/she ages. Pellets that are high in protein can lead to obesity and other health issues in rabbits. Do not give pellets that have “treats” mixed in (dried corn, etc.).

What to feed a bunny?

What to Feed Your Pet Rabbit. Just like people, bunnies enjoy a good meal. A nice mix of hay, vegetables, pellets, as well as fresh water will make your rabbit healthy and happy. Read on for more information about what to feed your pet rabbit.

Can rabbits drink water?

Rabbits will also drink from a water bowl. On a hot day you can drop an ice cube or two in your rabbits water dish. If your rabbit does not seem to be drinking enough water you can leave the vegetables fairly wet when you present them.

Can bunnies eat cereal?

Everybody loves a treat now and then, but to ensure your rabbits health they should be given only occasionally. Do not feed your rabbit items high in carbohydrates like breads, crackers, pasta, pretzels, cookies, chips, or cereal. Although branded for rabbits, many commercially-sold bunny treats are high in fat and sugar, such as yogurt chips, ...

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