What to Feed Your Pet Rabbit
- 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. ...
- Water. Fresh water must always be available to your rabbit. ...
- Pellets. ...
- Treats. ...
- Further Information. ...
- 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.
What do you feed a rabbit that eats constantly?
Rabbits are herbivores, and they are grazers that eat constantly. Their digestive systems are designed to process food efficiently. Although their daily diet consists of Hay And Timothy Pellets, you can offer them a variety of fruits and vegetables.
What do Rabbits eat on a food pyramid?
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. You’ll want to feed your rabbit grass hays.
What is the best hay for rabbits to eat?
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.
What should I Feed my rabbit Timothy pellets?
Your rabbit should eat a diet of 80% hay. You can feed your rabbit timothy rabbit pellets as well, and anything else, including fruits and vegetables, are a treat. You can begin to offer vegetables to your bunny when it is three months old, and you should introduce new foods one at a time.
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 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.
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.
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 is the best food for a rabbit?
The most important thing for a healthy rabbit diet is hay. Hay should be the primary source of a rabbit’s diet, in fact, it should make up as much as 70% of their food intake. Hay is very good for a rabbits digestive system. It helps maintain dental health. It provides a large chunk of your bunny’s nutritional needs.
What Foods Does Your Rabbit Love?
Does your rabbit have a particular fruit or vegetable they love as much as Ron loves curly kale? Has your bunny turned their noses up at a particular food? Head over to our Facebook Page and let me know – I’d love to hear from you!
What is Ron's favorite vegetable?
For my Netherlands Dwarf, Ron, his favourite vegetable is most definitely Curly Kale. He absolutely LOVES it. He eagerly awaits it every morning, both of his paws in his food bowl, eyeing me every time I go into the kitchen.
Do rabbits need pellets?
Rabbits should also be given pellets as they are high in fibre and contain an even spread of nutrients, but no more than a handful a day. Pellets should make up the remaining 2% of their daily food intake.
Does Kris have a bunny?
Kris has had (and loved) Bunnies most of his adult life - he's even looked after friends fur babies too! He knows what makes them tick...and what makes them binky!
Can bunnies eat fruit?
Fruit, however, is considered to be a treat for rabbits – akin to consuming a cupcake in for a human. Fruit should be given to our little fluff monsters in moderation, a small handful a day is generally recommended. Now that we know how much fruit and vegetables to give our bunnies as part of their healthy diet, ...
What do rabbits eat?
Rabbits are herbivores, and they are grazers that eat constantly. Their digestive systems are designed to process food efficiently. Although their daily diet consists of hay and timothy pellets, you can offer them a variety of fruits and vegetables. However, they have sensitive digestive systems, so it is critical to know which foods they can ...
What nutrients do rabbits need?
They have some great nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, manganese, folate, vitamin B6, thiamine, potassium, iron, riboflavin, phosphorus, and magnesium. Most rabbits like brussel sprouts, but they can cause gas.
What are the vitamins and minerals that rabbits need?
Peaches: Sure! Peaches offer a lot of vitamins and minerals that are good for rabbits, including vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, folate, manganese, magnesium, pantothenic acid, copper, calcium, iron, vitamin K, and phosphorus.
How to help a rabbit with gas?
You can supplement your rabbit’s diet with a variety of veggies every day, but you need to introduce new foods slowly and in small amounts. Make sure that you watch for any soft stool, diarrhea, or signs of gas pains. Stick with veggies that are not high in carbs, and always avoid iceberg lettuce. Asparagus: Sure!
What herbs are safe for rabbits?
Rosemary is considered one of the safest herbs for rabbits. It is rich in calcium, iron, vitamin B6, and it has many health benefits. You can offer a little bit a few times a week as a treat or healthy snack.
Can rabbits eat celery?
Celery: Sure! Your rabbit can eat celery. In fact, rabbits can eat the entire plant. It contains fiber that is good for rabbits, as well as folate, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, vitamin B6, manganese, and phosphorus. You can cut one-inch sections and feed it to your rabbit a few times a week as a treat.
Can rabbits eat asparagus?
Rabbits can eat asparagus. It doesn’t have a lot of calories, and it is high in fiber. In addition, it is a great source of antioxidants. It is very low in sugar, and it contains essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, folate, vitamin E, and vitamin K.
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 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 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 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 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 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.