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what to feed indoor rabbits

by Alana Smith Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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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 vegetables can rabbits eat everyday?

Vegetables that can be fed to a rabbit daily:Bell peppers.Bok choy.Brussels sprouts.Carrot tops.Cucumber.Endive.Escarole.Fennel.More items...•

What should you feed your rabbit?

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.

How do you feed rabbits at home?

0:053:32How to Feed Your Rabbit - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPeople used to think a rabbits diet should consist of a bowl pellets from the pet store. Now we knowMorePeople used to think a rabbits diet should consist of a bowl pellets from the pet store. Now we know better here's how to keep your rabbit happy and well nourished. You will need rabbit. Books

What can rabbits eat and not eat?

Safe fruit, vegetables, herbs and plants suitable for rabbits. Rabbits love their food and enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables as part of a balanced diet. The main part of a rabbit's diet should be unlimited amounts of fresh hay (preferably Timothy or Meadow Hay), grass, and plenty of clean water available.

What do rabbits love to eat the most?

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.

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.

Are carrots good for rabbits?

Reality: carrots shouldn't be a main source of food. Rabbits don't naturally eat root vegetables or fruit. Carrots and fruit are high in sugar and should only be fed in small amounts as occasional treats. Rabbits need mainly hay and/or grass, some leafy greens and a small, measured amount of pellets.

How many times a day a rabbit should eat?

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.

Is banana good for rabbits?

Health Benefits of Bananas for Rabbits If your rabbit tolerates it, 2 tablespoons of fruit per 5 pounds of body weight, can add more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to your pet's diet. Bananas are a rich source of nutrients that rabbits require for their growth and development. Some of them include: Potassium.

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.

Can bunnies eat broccoli?

Do not give broccoli to rabbits. It will give them painful gas. Never give your rabbit kale or spinach. Kale and spinach can cause health problems over time, due to the high amount of oxalates and goitrogens.

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...•

How often do rabbits need to eat?

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.

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 is toxic to rabbits?

Apples and pears are the most notorious examples, but the pits from apricots, peaches, plums, and mangos also contain cyanide, as do cherry pits. While the amount of cyanide contained in fruit seeds and pits is generally scant, it is best to avoid feeding them to rabbits altogether.

What can I feed my rabbit?

There are many vegetables that you can feed your rabbit, including celery, collard greens, green peppers, and radish tops. Vegetables with high levels of vitamin A, such as broccoli, carrots, and mustard greens, are especially important to feed your rabbit.

What to feed a bunny?

Provide your rabbit with hay. Hay is the most important part of your rabbit’s diet. It has many benefits. For example, hay has fiber, which helps move waste through your rabbit’s intestines and prevent intestinal stasis (‘gut stasis’). Hay also gives your rabbit something to chew on, which helps him keep his teeth filed down.#N#In addition, hay can keep your rabbit entertained, since he can sift through it and move it around his enclosure.#N#Grass hay (e.g., timothy, oat) is higher in fiber than alfalfa or clover hays, and is thus the ideal type of hay to feed your rabbit. Alfalfa and clover hays are high in protein and calcium, which can lead to kidney and bladder problems in older rabbits.#N#Good quality hay is green and fragrant, and is free of mold and dust.#N#Consider buying your hay from your local feed store. Compared with the hay at a pet store, hay at a feed store will likely be fresher and contain more of the nutrients your rabbit needs.

What are the health problems of rabbits?

Rabbits have a very sensitive digestive system—nutritional imbalances can quickly lead to serious intestinal problems that can have fatal consequences. Knowing how to feed your rabbit properly will help you keep him in optimal health throughout his life. Steps.

What to do if your rabbit is addicted to pellets?

If your rabbit is addicted to pellets and won't eat hay, then make a gradual change over by cutting back on the pellets and making sure they have access to sweet, green hay. Pellets should be approximately 18% to 20% crude fiber, 14% to 16% protein, and 1% each of fat and calcium.

How to keep rabbits intestines hydrated?

Give your rabbit fresh, clean water. A constant supply of fresh, clean water is essential to keeping your rabbit’s intestines well hydrated. Without enough water, intestinal contents can become very dry and get stuck. This can lead to gut stasis, which could be life threatening if not treated immediately.

How to get rabbit water?

5. Provide your rabbit with water in a sturdy bowl and/or bottle. A heavy ceramic bowl is ideal for supplying water to your rabbit. Porcelain bowls are also suitable, as long as they are lead-free. Change out your rabbit’s water at least once a day.

What to feed a rabbit with a sweet tooth?

Include fresh fruits in your rabbit’s diet as occasional treats. Rabbits have a sweet tooth, and would probably love to eat a lot of fruit. However, because of the high sugar content, fruits should be fed only as treats.

How to feed a rabbit?

Ensure that you feed your rabbits a healthy diet full of fiber. You can do this by making sure you feed them plenty of hay or timothy grass. Keep the hay off the ground when feeding it to your rabbits. Greens are also good for them and should be given in small quantities as should carrots that are full of sugar. Provide a tray with freshly grown hay or fodder. Give your rabbits clean water daily and put it in bowls they cannot overturn or use feeder bottles. Never give your rabbits frozen food at any time.

How to get a house rabbit to be scared?

House rabbits need some hiding spaces when scared. You can do this in your home by placing big cartons or boxes where they can retreat to every once in a while. They are not always as cuddly as we would like to imagine and need to be let alone to wander. To win their confidence try lifting them gently while offering some small snacks off your hands. They will then learn to associate you with the snacks.

Do rabbits need space?

Rabbits Need Lots of Safe Space. Now that you have decided to keep a rabbit for a pet, there are some things that you might need to know about indoor pet rabbit care. Rabbits need lots of space so you might want to consider this before having them for house pets. They use this space to feel safe as well as hide and rest.

What foods should I not feed my rabbit?

Do Not Feed: Yogurt Drops, popcorn, bread, crackers, nuts, seeds, or dried fruit with added sugar. Most healthy, adult companion rabbits benefit from cutting back on high calorie foods.

What percentage of diet should be a pellet?

High Fiber Pellet: 20% of diet. Provides calories, protein, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. Pellets should be limited. It is easy to overfeed if not measured. Pellets lack the benefits of hay and veggies and should not be fed in isolation. Green Veggies: 5-15% of diet.

Does nutrition prevent disease in rabbits?

Nutrition will not prevent disease, but good nutrition lowers disease risk. A direct association exists between diet and dental disease in rabbits.

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.)

How to help a bunny live indoors?

Litter training your rabbit is key to helping it live indoors comfortably. We recommend getting your hands on a litter tray and some rabbit litter. Then getting your bunny all trained up. Remember if your rabbit hasn’t been neutered or sprayed this can make it more difficult.

Why do you need to rabbit proof your house?

You must rabbit-proof your house to prevent it from chewing these kinds of things. Your Possessions. You want to make sure that no damage comes to your household items. We recommend keeping anything you don’t want to be damaged out of the reach of your rabbit.

Why do rabbits spray?

This is because they will spray to mark their territory. Rabbit droppings are dry and easy to sweet up so if accidents do happen they aren’t too inconvenient. 3. Rabbits Need Exercise. Wild rabbits have the freedom to roam where they please. This is not necessarily the case for domesticated rabbits.

Can rabbits sleep in cages?

Indoor rabbit cages are a matter of preference. Some people prefer not to have a cage at all for their rabbits. Others prefer to let their rabbits sleep in the cage but allow it to roam free during the day.

Is it safe to chew on rabbits?

Chewing. Chewing is a serious issue for many rabbit owners. As we’re sure you know . This raises concerns for two areas of keeping your rabbit indoors. Rabbit Safety. Rabbits love to chew anything they can find. This includes electrical cables and other hazardous items around your house.

Do bunnies need exercise?

This is not necessarily the case for domesticated rabbits. However, the common ground is that both types of rabbits need to get enough exercise. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden we recommend letting your rabbit out to have fresh air every so often.

Can you keep rabbits indoors?

Keeping Rabbits Indoors Final Thoughts. Ultimately it’s entirely up to you as to whether you want to keep your rabbit indoors or not. Rabbits can live a happy life both indoors and outdoors. It all goes down to having the right environment for your bunny to thrive in.

What to feed a rabbit?

Apples are a good source of protein, carbs, and fiber. It is one of the best foods for rabbits. However, you have to be cautious that you give it in small amounts and just occasionally. Don’t add it to the daily rabbit diet. While feeding an apple to your rabbit, make sure that you peel off the skin as it might contain harmful pesticides. Also, remove the apple seed so that you don’t poison them unknowingly. Try not to give any fruit seed to the rabbits.

What do rabbits eat?

Peas are a rich source of antioxidants, sugar, protein, multivitamins, phosphorus, and more. Your pet rabbit would love to feed on the peas, pods, and leaves. You can comfortably add it to the rabbit diet plan. It is one of the best foods for rabbits.

What is the best food for a bunny?

15 Best Foods for Rabbit: Vegetables, Fruits, and Packaged Food. The cute rabbit is a ball of soft fur, and one can’t get enough of it. The cuddly rabbits are precious and delicate pets. If you own a bunny, you know the care they need to be super active.

How much water does a rabbit need?

The body of the rabbit contains 50% of water. So, they need a high intake of water. You can give a particular vegetable and fruit which has high moisture content. You can also keep a pot of water next to them that they drink water now and then.

Where do rabbits get their carbohydrates from?

Rabbits get the carbohydrates from the plants it consumes. Carbohydrates in plants primarily include sugar and fiber, which is essential for their digestion. You need to ensure a high intake of fiber to keep away from gastrointestinal disease, especially in adult rabbits.

Can rabbits eat dry food?

It is not easy to provide it through natural food, but you can easily do it with packaged food. You can feed dry foods for rabbits to balance the diet.

Is it safe to feed rabbits sugar?

It is low in sugar, rich in fiber and protein. You can feed your rabbit with this fantastic one-stop solution for the rabbit diet. It is best when you lack time to feed your rabbit regularly, and yet you wish to give the best to your pet. It is one of the best foods for rabbits.

What do rabbits eat?

Rabbits are herbivores which means they eat only plants. The majority of a rabbit’s diet should come from long-stemmed fibers. In the wild, they would get this by consuming grass. In captivity, they can get fiber with hay. Hay should make up the majority (80 to 90%) of a rabbit’s diet.

What is the best way to get rabbits outside?

Rabbits that are 100% confined need a much larger space to live and exercise. An exercise pen is a great way to get your rabbits outdoors in a more natural setting and provide them with much-needed legroom.

Why do rabbits' teeth grow?

Rabbit teeth grow constantly to accommodate the frequent chewing that rabbits do. When picking out hay for rabbits, don’t purchase the same hay that you would for goats or cattle.

How much does a rabbit weigh?

There are rabbits that are raised for their meat, rabbits that are raised as pets, and rabbits that are raised for show. Large meat rabbits can weigh close to 20 pounds while small dwarf rabbits weigh as little as 2 pounds.

Why do rabbits have snuffles?

Snuffles. Rabbit snuffles are caused by bacteria and can infect the eyes and nose. Occasionally, it can cause ear infections and abscesses. The bacterium that causes the infection is always present in the nasal cavity of rabbits. Bacteria grow in times of stress, so the best way to prevent snuffles is to reduce stress.

How much space do rabbits need?

Rabbits should be housed in a space that is at least 3 to 4 times their body size when they are laying down. This is the minimum space they require and only works for rabbits that have access to an exercise pen or larger open space. Like many other animals, the more space you can provide them, the better.

What animals eat rabbits?

Raccoons, foxes, opossums, coyotes, dogs, and cats will all try to make an easy meal of rabbits. It is possible for rabbits to die by a scare from potential predators. Keep rabbit enclosures away from possible predators. A solid, enclosed house can give rabbits a space to escape and stay out of sight.

How to get rabbits to eat more?

Place hay in several areas of your rabbits’ living area to encourage them to eat more. This should be changed at least daily, if not more often. Providing several litter trays will mean your indoor rabbit is more likely to use them. Place them in corners in different areas, and make sure they are cleaned regularly. 4.

What do rabbits chew on?

Rabbits love to chew and will happily chew on carpet (often the corners behind sofas and furniture where it is dark), wallpaper and the plaster off the walls, especially if there is a lack of other stimulation in the environment. These can be dangerous and cause blockages in the rabbit’s gastrointestinal tract. If you notice your rabbit chewing any items that they shouldn’t be, access must be blocked off to these areas. You will also need to increase the chewing and digging opportunities your rabbit does have, such as providing more willow, apple or seagrass balls, mats etc. to chew on and boxes to dig in, and the best rabbit toys to play with.

What does it mean when a rabbit lives with you?

5. A rabbit friend. Whilst living inside with you will mean your rabbit has more human company , this cannot replace the company of another rabbit. Rabbits exhibit different behaviours to companion rabbits, from those they exhibit to their human owners, so it is imperative that house rabbits are kept in pairs.

Can bunnies chew electrical wires?

Consider safety. Rabbits love to chew and dig, this is totally natural for them but often they do not know what is safe to do so. They can easily chew through electrical cables, which may have fatal consequences. It is imperative that you bunny-proof your home.

Can cats and dogs get into rabbits?

If this is the case, you need to be sure they cannot gain unsupervised access to your rabbits. Cats and dogs are natural predators to rabbits and even the sight of one may invoke fear and stress in your rabbits. Even the most gentle of cats and dogs is still capable of inflicting serious or fatal injuries on rabbits.

When are rabbits active?

Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk, so for working people they are most active before and after work, and social interactions are increased.

Can rabbits be kept in a house?

The idea of indoor rabbits is not a new one – rabbits have been kept inside houses for decades. In fact, any rabbit can become a house rabbit; they are not a specific breed, and there are some potential benefits to keeping a rabbit indoors in the best indoor rabbit hutch . Many people feel it allows them to build up a better relationship ...

Litter Box

Rabbits can be litter trained ( you may even adopt an already trained bunny) so you need to place a litter box inside their habitat. Rabbits usually use the corner to go to the bathroom so you should put the litter box in the corner. If you have more rabbits, it would be perfect that each one has its own litter box if possible.

Food And Water Dishes

Hay is a very important part of the rabbit’s diet but your pet will need other food as well. Because of that, he will also need food and water bowls/dishes. Provide some good, heavy ceramic bowls and avoid light plastic and metal dishes that will be easy to tip over.

Digging Box, Chewing Toys

Rabbits like to dig. So to prevent them to dig in your carpet or some other things you don’t want to see destroyed provide some digging material ( shredded paper, child-friendly sand). You can put some old newspapers, wooden toys.

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