What should I feed my bunny? 5 essential foods they should eat.
- #1. Hay, hay and more hay!!! For the first 6 months of your bunny’s life you may feed them unlimited hay throughout the day. Hay is extremely ...
- #2. Pellets.
- #3. Water.
- #4. Vegetables and Fruit.
- #5. Other treats.
How to meet rabbit's basic needs?
Basic Rabbit Needs
- Proper Housing: Rabbits need to be housed indoors only. ...
- Rabbit supplies: Rabbit housing includes a litter box, as rabbits can be box trained. ...
- Toys: Provide a variety of fun toys! ...
- Diet: Hay is the most important part of the rabbit's diet. ...
- Medical care: Rabbits need to have an experienced rabbit veterinarian. ...
What is the best feed for rabbits?
What Kind of Hay do Rabbits Eat?
- Grass hays include timothy, oat, and orchard:
- Timothy Hay. First up, we have one of the most popular forms of hay – Timothy hay. ...
- Oat Hay. Oat hay is a great alternative, especially if you need to increase the fiber content in your pet’s diet.
- Orchard Hay. ...
- Legume hays include Alfalfa, clover, peas, beans, or peanuts.
- Alfalfa Hay. ...
What do you feed a wild rabbit in a yard?
You can provide the wild rabbits in your garden with veggies such as:
- Beet greens and collard green – are rich in vitamin A.
- Broccoli –just the leaves and stems are healthy for the wild rabbits.
- Carrots –should be fed in small amounts as they are rich in carbohydrates which are not easily digestible.
- Brussel sprouts.
- Watercress
What stores sell Bunnies?
Pet Stores That Sell Rabbits in Charlotte, NC
- Tuscarora’s Country Club for Dogs. Thank you to all of the staff at Tuscarora's Country Club for Dogs for another wonderful and happy stay for our Boxer, Maddie.
- Queen City Petsitting. I really want to give a huge thumbs up to Queen City Petsitting! ...
- A Dog's Best Friend Inc. ...
- Camp Bow Wow Charlotte Dog Boarding and Daycare. ...
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 are some good treats for bunnies?
Healthy treats for your bunny include small pieces of fresh or freeze-dried fruit (the approved fruits listed above); natural, unprocessed mixes that include hay and dried flowers (the approved flowers listed above); and Oxbow brand rabbit treats.
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 alfalfa hay?
Alfalfa hay is not a good choice for an adult rabbit, since it’s a legume, not a grass, and as such is too rich to be fed on a daily basis. Alfalfa can be given to rabbits once in awhile as a treat. Rabbits under one year of age can be fed alfalfa hay, but as they get older they should be switched to grass hay, especially if they are also being fed alfalfa pellets.
Can bunnies eat human treats?
Always read the ingredient list on store-bought treats because not all of them are safe for bunnies. Avoid treats that include added sugar, preservatives and artificial coloring, and never give your rabbit human treats.
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.)
Can rabbits eat corn?
Do not feed your rabbit potatoes, corn, beans, seeds or nuts. These foods are difficult for rabbits to digest and can cause serious digestive problems.
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 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 are rabbits so obese?
Obesity is a very dangerous condition for rabbits and can lead to a number of diseases, including fatty liver disease, and heart problems. Most of the time rabbits become obese because of a diet that is high in sugar or they are given too many pellets. So to help your rabbit return to their healthy, ideal weight you’ll need to correct their diet.
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.
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 to feed bunnies when they are grown?
Once your bunny is fully grown, fresh greens are a daily necessity. This is as important as hay in maintaining a healthy intestinal tract. Dark leafy options such as kale, spinach, parsley, cilantro, basil, carrots, dandelion greens, mustard greens and romaine lettuce are all safe to feed.
What to feed a 3 month old bunny?
From 3 weeks to 6 months old, you can feed bunnies either Timothy (1st, 2nd or 3rd cut, but young and healthy bunnies typically eat 2nd cut), Orchard, Oat and Alfalfa hay.
What is the best hay for bunnies?
Small Pet Select also sells Timothy and Alfalfa hay cubes, as well as a Blend combining both. When given as a treat, these are a perfect way to give bunnies variety while includIng their tasty Alfalfa and without worrying you’re over feeding them too much protein.
What is a small pet select rabbit pellet?
Small Pet Select’s rabbit pellets are our pellets of choice. There is only one type, so no need to choose between varieties. Again, like the hay, their pellets are much greener and fresher compared to the dry or crumbly, brown and older looking pellets you often find in pet stores.
Why do bunnies need hay?
Hay is what helps move any fur they have ingested through their digestive tract. Bunnies are not like cats who can regurgitate hair after grooming. Hay also helps to keep their intestinal muscles toned.
How much water does a bunny drink?
Bunnies drink a lot of water compared to animals of similar size. A four pound bunny (a full size Holland Lop) usually drinks about a cup of water per day , although sometimes more if the weather is hot. Drinking less than a cup can be normal too, it’s any drastic change in your bunny’s water consumption that matters and can signal sickness. You’ll get to know what is normal for your bunny over time, and whether s/he prefers a water bottle or crock.
How soon can a baby eat greens?
The general recommendation is no sooner than 6 months. In reality though, the babies may have eaten some of their mom’s greens when they were sharing her cage at the rabbitry. Therefore very small amounts should be okay. Once your bunny is fully grown, fresh greens are a daily necessity.
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.
What to feed a bunny?
Fruits can also be fed in small amounts. In the wild these would be special high calorie foods obtained only at certain times of the year. Fruits make great training treats! You also might choose to hand-feed the fruit portion of the diet as part of developing a close bond with your bunny and also to make sure he has an appetite every day. It is a great way to see if your bunny is feeling good when you observe if he takes his fruit treat every morning! If he doesn’t want to eat his treat, it is time to call your veterinarian. Remember that dried fruits are about 3 times as concentrated as the fresh variety so feed less of those. Rabbits, like many animals naturally gravitate towards high calorie foods such as those high in sugar or starch. This is a protective device from the wild days when they could never be sure when or if they would get the next meal. When a plant would produce fruit, it is for a limited time and all the animals in the area would want to gobble these gems up quickly! This means that rabbits cannot limit themselves when given sugary or starchy foods if left to their own devices! Overfeeding fruits can result in a weight gain or GI upset so it is up to you to feed these foods in limited amounts. An approximate amount of fruit to feed your rabbit is a teaspoon per 2 lbs of body weight daily in one feeding or divided into multiple feedings.
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 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 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 vegetables should I feed my rabbit?
Beyond leafy greens you can feed other vegetables such as root vegetables or “flowers” such as broccoli and cauliflower. These foods are often higher in starch or sugars and should be fed in lesser amounts than the leafy greens. Avoid foods in the onion family such as leeks, chives and onions because eating these foods could cause blood abnormalities. A good amount of “other” vegetables (non leafy greens) to feed your rabbit would be about 1 tablespoon per 2 lbs of body weight per day in one meal or divided into two or more.
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.
What Should I Feed My Bunny?
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.
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. Bunnies with a tendency to overeat should have their food served in portions.