- Provide a constant supply of good quality fresh grass and grass hay (this should comprise about 80% of the overall diet) – e.g. ...
- Provide plenty of fresh leafy greens & vegetables (10-20% of overall diet). As a guide, feed around two packed cups of leafy greens per kg body weight per day. ...
- Treats may be offered in small quantities (1-2 tablespoons per rabbit per day). Examples include most fruits, root vegetables (such as carrot and sweet potato) and capsicum. ...
- Give about 1 tablespoon/kg of pellets with a minimum crude fibre >18% (Indigestible fibre content >12.5%) (no more than 5% of overall diet) and ensure the pellets are formulated for ...
- Avoid cereal/grain mixes (such as rabbit mix muesli) as these can encourage selective feeding, nutritional imbalance and obesity [ 1, 4 ].
- Providing other objects to chew on is also a good idea. Examples include wooden chew blocks or old telephone books.
- Aim to keep feeds and feeding habits consistent. Any changes to the diet must be made gradually (over a 2-3 week period) to minimise digestive upsets.
- Always have unlimited fresh clean water available. Rabbits prefer open dishes (bowls) over bottled drinkers as lapping from a dish is more natural and encourages greater water intake [ 5 ...
- Do NOT feed the following: cereals, grains, nuts, seeds, corn, beans, peas, breads, biscuits, sweets, sugar, breakfast cereals, chocolate or any garden plants that are toxic to rabbits (see links ...
What should I Feed my Pet rabbits?
To ensure your rabbits have a healthy balanced diet, you should: Provide a constant supply of good quality fresh grass and grass hay (this should comprise about 80% of the overall diet) – e.g. Timothy, Oaten, Wheaten, Pasture, Paddock, Meadow or Ryegrass hays.
How much should I Feed my Rabbit to gain weight?
Use a good quality, high fiber alfalfa or timothy based pellet as a small part of your rabbit’s diet. Feed a minimum of 1 cup vegetables for each 4 lbs. of body weight. Select at least three types of vegetables daily. A variety is necessary in order to obtain the necessary nutrients, with one each day...
Can I Feed my rabbit pellets?
Over time, pellet diets have been sold as the mainstay of a rabbit's diet, but pellets were originally formulated for non-household rabbits (i.e. laboratory or farmed rabbits). Some of the problems associated with rabbits fed unlimited pellets are: Should always to be available. This is the most important of a rabbit's diet.
What do rabbits need to survive?
Your rabbit needs constant access to fresh, clean water and a variety of foods as they like to graze throughout the day, unlike dogs for example, who tend to eat their meals at particular times of the day. Your rabbit’s basic food requirements are a diet of hay and pellets or a mix feed.
What is the best thing to feed rabbits?
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 can I feed my rabbit for food?
Barley, buckwheat and rye are easy to grow, too, and, of course, there is alfalfa. Alfalfa is high in protein, and in some places, such as my area, it is difficult to buy it baled because the farmers chop it and put in the silo. Rabbits love the stuff, and you can grow it just as easily as planting grass.
What vegetables can rabbits eat daily?
Vegetables that can be fed to a rabbit daily:Bell peppers.Bok choy.Brussels sprouts.Carrot tops.Cucumber.Endive.Escarole.Fennel.More items...•
What can I feed my rabbit instead of pellets?
Rabbits can get by without pellets as long as hay and fresh green vegetables are given every day. Avoid cereal/grain mixes (such as rabbit mix muesli) as these can encourage selective feeding, nutritional imbalance and obesity [1, 4]. Providing other objects to chew on is also a good idea.
What can rabbits not eat?
Foods Rabbits Should Never EatAvocados.Chocolate.Fruit seeds/pits.Raw onions, leeks, garlic.Meat, eggs, dairy.Broad beans and kidney beans.Rhubarb.Iceberg lettuce.More items...•
What fruit and vegetables can rabbits eat?
The best foods for a rabbitAsparagus.Bok Choy.Brussel Sprouts.Broccoli leaves.Celery.Collard Greens.Cauliflower leaves and stalks.Chicory.More items...
Do rabbits eat rice?
So, can rabbits eat rice? Rabbits should never be fed rice, either cooked or uncooked. This is due to the lack of fiber, high starch content, and lack of nutritional value.
Can rabbits 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 happens if a rabbit doesn't eat?
If rabbits do not eat the same extremely high fibre diet they get in the wild, the contents of the caecum start to form a sludge which stops flowing in and out as it should. Gastric stasis develops and rabbits stop eating. The consequences can be fatal.
Can rabbits have pellets?
If you must, a fortified high fibre, low grain pellet such as ‘Oxbow’ is far better than supermarket options. Feeding rabbits one tablespoon of pellets per day is recommended.
What is a good diet for a rabbit?
A healthy rabbit should be slim and sleek. The house rabbit should have a diet high in fibre and fairly low in calories (especially fats and starches). Over time pellet diets have been sold as the mainstay of a rabbit's diet, but pellets were originally formulated for non household rabbits (i.e. laboratory or farmed rabbits).
What do bunnies eat?
This is the most important of a rabbit's diet. Young bunnies should be exposed to hay as soon as they can eat on their own. Mixed grass (timothy, meadow, oat, rye, barley or Bermuda grasses) hay is lower in calcium and calories. Alfalfa (and clover, peas, beans or peanut) is not recommended.
What is the best hay for bunnies?
Fresh Hay (or grass) 1 Should always to be available. This is the most important of a rabbit's diet. 2 Young bunnies should be exposed to hay as soon as they can eat on their own. 3 Mixed grass (timothy, meadow, oat, rye, barley or Bermuda grasses) hay is lower in calcium and calories. 4 Alfalfa (and clover, peas, beans or peanut) is not recommended. 5 Store hay in a cool, dry place in an open bag to allow circulation. Discard damp hay. 6 Prefer loose long strands of hay compared to pressed cubes or chopped hay
How long can you keep rabbit pellets?
For 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.
Why won't my rabbit eat her treat food?
If your rabbit will not eat her treat food, then there may be other problems brewing and you need to keep a close eye on your pet for health problems . These treat foods are far healthier (and less expensive) than the commercial treat foods sold for rabbits.
What are some good foods to feed a dog?
A & C, minerals and carbohydrates as well as providing mental stimulation for your pet. Baby greens. Bok Choy. Borage basil. Broccoli (leaves and top) Brussel sprouts.
Can rabbits lose weight?
Remove all pellets. Rabbits can make their own rich supply of nutrients in the caecum. Do not fast rabbits for weight loss. Where rabbits are only given food for a certain amount of time each day, this leaves the bunny with nothing to do physically and mentally for long hours.
How much greens should I feed my floppy eared?
You should also give your floppy eared fellows a decent serving of leafy greens and veggies to keep their nutrition levels up - as a general rule, feed them about 2 cups of greens p/kg in body weight .
Do rabbits like grass hay?
Grass/Grass hay should be available to your furry friends at all times - rabbits absolutely LOVE to chew, plus it helps boost their fibre levels and their intestinal health. Giving them a constantly accessible supply of fresh grass hay will keep them satisfied, as it comprises the majority of their 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.
