Recommended daily allowance of calcium for rabbit
| Food | Dry matter | Calcium content (of dry matter) | Weight that would provide 500mg | Approximate amount that the rabbit would ... |
| Alfalfa hay | 82% | 1.5% | 41g | 1 large handful |
| Apples | 20% | 0.12% | 2.083kg | 15 apples |
| Bananas | 25% | 0.06% | 3.333kg | 20 bananas |
| Broccoli | 10% | 0.48% | 1.042kg | 2 large florets |
Can rabbits eat calcium?
Calcium is found in all elements of a rabbit’s diet, including grass hay, fresh grass, leafy greens, and pellets. However, you don’t have to remove calcium from your rabbit’s diet completely.
What is the best diet for my Rabbit?
Rabbits evolved to eat grass so, unsurprisingly; it provides the most suitable balance of nutrients, including calcium, to meet their needs. Like all rabbits, those on a low calcium diet should eat plenty of grass-hay or fresh grass. Any variety of grass is fine, including timothy, meadow and orchard.
How much hay should I Feed my Rabbit?
Large, unlimited amounts of fresh hay should be offered daily. Young bunnies should be introduced to hay as soon as they can eat on their own. Mixed grass hay or Timothy hay is preferred because it is lower in calories and calcium than alfalfa. Use a good quality, high fiber alfalfa or timothy based pellet as a small part of your rabbit’s diet.
How much calcium is in rabbit pellets?
The average calcium content of rabbit pellets is around 0.9%; using the calculator above, this works out at 510mg of calcium for a 63g portion. This means your rabbit would use up all of their calcium allowance before we've factored in hay or greens!
What is a good source of calcium for rabbits?
Most leafy greens are the ideal way to get some extra calcium into your bunny's diet. Containing 210 milligrams of calcium in 3.5 ounces, cooked collard greens are the best choice, closely followed by raw kale, which contains 205 milligrams of calcium in the same amount.
What can I give my rabbit to reduce calcium?
By doing this, you may just spare your bunny the frustration of further urinary issues. Some examples of low-calcium vegetables are romaine lettuce, cilantro, carrots, brussels sprouts and cucumbers. In the fruit world, low-calcium options include bananas, apples, pears, strawberries and peaches.
Are carrots high in calcium?
Carrots are among the most popular vegetables in the United States and contain high levels of beta carotene (the precursor to Vitamin A) and other vitamins and minerals; however, like many vegetables, they are a poor source of dietary calcium (5, 6).
Which vegetable is high in calcium?
Cooked kale, spinach, and collard greens are all good calcium sources. Collard greens having the highest amount: a half-cup provides 175 mg of calcium. Orange juice and cereals are often fortified with calcium.
What causes too much calcium in rabbits?
Causes may include severe liver failure, insufficient dietary update of calcium, diarrhoea and sometimes with late stages of pregnancy and during lactation whereby the amount of calcium required by the rabbit is dramatically increased.
What causes high calcium levels in rabbits?
Cause: diet, tumor (eg thymoma), chronic renal failure, impaired calcium excretion, vitamin D toxicity. Signs: calciuria, renal disease, arteriosclerosis, urolithiasis. Diagnosis: biochemistry, radiography. Treatment: reduced calcium intake, fluid therapy.
What veg is low in calcium?
Collard greens: 50 milligrams. Corn: With 10 milligrams of calcium in a cup, corn is one of the best vegetables for a low calcium diet. Dandelion greens: 80 milligrams. Kale: 55 milligrams.
How much calcium is too much for rabbits?
An excess amount of calcium can lead to a multitude of problems. A rabbit fed on a good, balanced diet should not be calcium deficient and does not need a calcium or mineral supplement. The average sized pet rabbit (approx. 2.5kg) needs typically around 510mg of calcium per day.
What is the role of calcium in rabbits?
In rabbits, calcium regulation by the kidneys instead of the intestine. They are adapted to excrete excess calcium or retain calcium if the rabbit needs it. The excess calcium forms a sediment in the urine. This is normal.
How do rabbits regulate calcium?
Instead the amount of calcium that is absorbed depends on how much calcium is available in the intestine, so if the diet contains a high level of calcium, a lot will be absorbed. This is advantageous in an animal that might need a lot of calcium. Rabbits can be mated as soon as they have given birth so they may be pregnant and lactating. A breeding female will need plenty of calcium for her continually growing teeth and the foetuses in her uterus as well as the babies she is feeding. In rabbits, calcium regulation by the kidneys instead of the intestine. They are adapted to excrete excess calcium or retain calcium if the rabbit needs it. The excess calcium forms a sediment in the urine. This is normal.
Why is my rabbit's urine sludgy?
Incorrect dietary intake of calcium is often suggested as an underlying cause of disease in rabbits. Too little calcium in the diet calcium is linked with dental disease and feeding high amounts of calcium could contribute to sludgy urine and other urinary tract problems. Feeding a balanced diet that does not have too much or too little calcium is ...
Why is it important to know the water content of a rabbit's food?
Knowing the water content of a food item is important because published dietary calcium levels reflect the amount of calcium in the dry matter i.e. after all the water has been extracted. They do not reflect the amount of calcium in the food in ...
How much grass should a rabbit eat?
The amount of grass that a rabbit would need to eat to meet its daily allowance is 463g. This amount is shown in the bag on the left. Although it may seem a lot, this amount is probably correct for a wild rabbit that spends its day grazing. Most of this grass is water.
Can rabbits be mated?
Rabbits can be mated as soon as they have given birth so they may be pregnant and lactating. A breeding female will need plenty of calcium for her continually growing teeth and the foetuses in her uterus as well as the babies she is feeding. In rabbits, calcium regulation by the kidneys instead of the intestine.
Is grass good for rabbits?
This water would be beneficial in keeping the contents of the intestines soft and hydrated and diluting the urine. This is why grass and other leafy green plants vegetables are better for rabbits with sludgy urine (and other urinary tract problems) than hay and nuggets.
How to feed a rabbit calcium?
There is a lot of information in this article, but in short feed as much hay or grass as your rabbit will eat, as this provides the healthiest balance of calcium. Reduce the amount of pellets to a maximum of 25g for a 2.5kg rabbit and choose a brand low in calcium. Feed a wide variety of fresh foods to even out high and low calcium levels. Try to maximise your rabbit's water intake by feeding fresh grass and fresh veggies, and, if you live in a hard water area, consider swapping to bottled water. Finally, remember to make any changes to your rabbit's diet gradually to allow their gut to adjust to the new foods.
How much calcium should rabbits have?
The goal of a low calcium diet isn't to remove calcium completely; calcium is necessary for a range of body functions including normal rabbit teeth growth. Instead the aim is to reduce calcium to only what it used by the body, cutting out excess calcium that's disposed of via the urinary tract.
How much dry food should I feed my bunny?
The most frequently quoted daily dry food portion for a rabbit is 25g of food per 1kg your rabbit weighs, i.e. a 2.5kg rabbit should have a maximum of 63g per day. The average calcium content of rabbit pellets is around 0.9%; using the calculator above, this works out at 510mg of calcium for a 63g portion. This means your rabbit would use up all of their calcium allowance before we've factored in hay or greens! The reason for this is pellet rations and calcium values originate from commercial breeding practices where pellets were used as a 'complete feed' and not complimentary to hay - they were designed for growing rabbits quickly and cheaply rather than long term health.
What to feed a rabbit with urinary tract issues?
A healthy diet for a rabbit with urinary tract issues has the same components as one for the average rabbit - that is lots of grass/hay, some fresh vegetables or other plants, and a small amount of commercial pellets. For rabbits with urinary tract issues we just need to give a little more attention to the proportion of these foods to ensure we end up with the right amount of calcium and substitute a few ingredients that are particularly high in calcium.
Why does my rabbit drink a lot of water?
Remember: Calcium content of water is only an issue if you have hard tap water (high in calcium) and your rabbit drinks a lot of it (usually because they eat mainly dry foods with low water content).
Why do rabbits need calcium?
Calcium is essential for rabbits to maintain healthy bones and teeth, but the special way rabbits process it means that some rabbits encounter urinary tract problems if their diet is too high in calcium. If your rabbit suffers from stones or bladder sludge you may need to adjust their diet to reduce their calcium intake to help control the problem.
What do rabbits eat?
Like all rabbits, those on a low calcium diet should eat plenty of grass-hay or fresh grass. Any variety of grass is fine, including timothy, meadow and orchard. They all provide a calcium content of between 0.3-0.5% of dry matter, depending on the variety and even where it grew and when it was cut. Alfalfa is sometimes fed as a hay substitute, particularly for young rabbits, unlike grass-hays it has high calcium content (1.3%) so should be avoided in rabbits with calcium related urinary tract issues.
Why is Calcium Important for Rabbits?
Calcium plays an essential role in numerous processes in the body. Perhaps most notably, calcium is vital to maintaining strong, healthy teeth and bones.
Other Roles of Calcium for Rabbits
Other less commonly talked about roles of calcium include muscle contraction and nerve signaling. Calcium is required for muscles to contract and, more specifically, to enable muscles to relax after contraction. Signaling of nerves throughout the body with the brain also requires calcium.
Symptoms of Calcium Deficiency in Rabbits
Even some of the simplest body functions and movements involve or rely on calcium. For this reason, symptoms of calcium deficiency can include weak bones and teeth as well as confusion, muscle spasms and cramps, and numbness. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms of hypocalcemia (i.e.
Proper Calcium Ratios with Phosphorus for Rabbits
We have discussed a lot about calcium specifically, but as alluded to above, it is just as important to consider calcium in ratio to phosphorus. Calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood are regulated by the same hormone (parathyroid hormone) which is released by the parathyroid gland when blood calcium levels get too low.
What to feed a rabbit with high calcium?
Alfalfa hay is extremely high in calcium and should be replaced with lower calcium hays such as timothy or oat hay. Fruits are low in calcium but high in sugar and should make up a very small part of the diet. Root vegetables such as carrots and radishes are low in calcium. Most greens are comparatively high in calcium but they are also a very important component of a healthy rabbit diet and should not be eliminated. Broccoli flowers and stem, cilantro, dark leaf lettuce, watercress, Brussels sprouts, celery leaves, cabbage, and endive are good choices when trying to reduce dietary calcium. Turnip greens, broccoli leaves, mustard greens, kale, and collards greens should be restricted or eliminated depending on the severity of the problem.*
Can rabbits have calcium in their urine?
Although no direct scientific link between dieta ry calcium and an excess amount of calcium excreted in the urine has been proven, many veterinarians are advising clients whose rabbits have urinary/bladder problems to decrease the amount of calcium in their rabbit’s diet.
What to feed bunnies?
Alfalfa hay is higher in calcium and protein than grass hay, which is ideal for growing rabbits but too rich for adults. If you are feeding alfalfa it's a good idea to feed it mixed with grass hay. This stops your rabbits getting so hooked on alfalfa that it's difficult to make the transition to grass hay when they reach adulthood. You should phase out alfalfa at around four to five months old.
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.
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 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.
How often should I feed my rabbit?
Rabbits should be fed and provided with fresh water daily ; hay should always be available. As nibblers, they should have food available at all times.
What are the water requirements of rabbits?
Fresh water should be available 24 hours a day. 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.
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 is the best hay for rabbits?
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 to maintaining a rabbit’s healthy digestive tract.
What is the best diet for guinea pigs?
The preferred basic diet for guinea pigs is unlimited amounts of Timothy or other low-calcium hay, supplemented with smaller amounts of a commercial, high-fiber, Timothy-hay based guinea pig pellets. The diet should be supplemented with a variety of fresh, well-washed, leafy greens or colored vegetables; especially those high in vitamin C. Guinea pigs cannot manufacture their own vitamin C, therefore it is important that guinea pigs receive a vitamin C tablet or liquid vitamin C directly by mouth every day. Provide fresh clean water in a sipper bottle and check the tube for blockages each day.
Why do rabbits chew?
Rabbits need to chew to maintain the health of their continuously growing teeth. Chew toys should always be available; hard wooden chew toys (blocks and sticks) and cardboard are best.