Proper nutrition is essential for good health & longevity. Rabbits need hay, a good high fiber pellet (free of nuts, seeds, & dyed bits), fresh vegetables, and clean water. If your rabbit is allowed to go without food for too long, a serious condition called G.I. Stasis can occur. (See the health section.)
Your rabbit should have a generous amount of hay available at all times. It's nutritious and a vital source of fiber. You can make a big hay "nest" in bunny's litterbox and he'll be happy as a clam. This will also encourage good potty habits and minimize hay mess. Don't worry - bunny won't eat anything he's soiled! Commonly found hays are timothy, oat, oat/barley, and alfalfa. Also available are brome, orchard grass, and bermuda. Alfalfa is good for growing buns up to one year of age, but is too high in calcium and fats for adult buns. You can often find fresher and cheaper hay at a feed and tack store that carries it by the bale. Ask if they sell it "by the flake" which is a good-sized chunk cut from a bale. You can also inquire at exotic vet's offices, they sometimes carry hay for sale. Keep it cool and dry in a trash can or storage container stored where it won't get wet or moldy. Never feed moldy hay to a rabbit, it can sicken them and even cause death. (Fresh hay available CHEAP at our adoption center. Pellets,treats, and special hays as well.) Current recommendations from the House Rabbit Society are 3 different hays daily.
Avoid bargain pellets and "fiesta blends" containing corn/nuts/seeds/etc. The rabbit physiology isn't built to process the high doses of fats and proteins contained in these mixes. These foods lack the proper nutrients needed by your rabbit and over the years can cause serious health problems resulting in obesity, compromised organ function, and subsequently a shortened lifespan. It's the health equivalent of raising your child on a diet of nothing but fast food. (Be aware that some pet foods contain a preservative called ethoxyquin, (or BHT) which is a known cancer-causing agent.) A good pellet has a minimum fiber content of 25% and a maxmimum protein content of 14%. Pellets should be fed in limited measured amounts daily, varying by the weight of your rabbit, it's breed, or health issues. Baby and juvenile rabbits (up to one year of age) should have lots of fresh alfalfa hay at all times. Timothy and oat are o.k. as well, but alfalfa has lots of calories and calcium needed by growing buns. Too much for adult buns, as a matter of fact. Buns over one year of age no longer need the fat and calories in alfalfa - neither the hay nor the pellets. There are good timothy pellets on the market if you look. Our links page includes links to some food companies.
A daily serving of fresh veggies rounds out bunny's nutritional needs. Always rinse produce before feeding, even if it's organic. Start slowly, one small serving of one veggie at a time, adding more over a period of weeks. This will not only lessen the chances of loose stools from the introduction of fresh food to the diet, but will also tell you what your rabbit prefers and what might upset his tummy. Current guidelines suggest three different veggies per day, alternating combinations weekly to ensure a good coverage of vitamins. Opinions differ on carrots and fruits as they contain a lot of sugar. I view them as a snack food, to be given occasionally and in moderation. (one carrot, a slice or two of banana/apple/etc.) Your local Farmer's Market is a great source for rabbit (and human!) veggies. It's fresh picked so it lasts longer, and it's usually a fraction of grocery store prices.
My rabbits have eaten the following:NO ICEBERG OR OTHER LIGHT-LEAF LETTUCE, POTATO OR POTATO PEELS, RHUBARB, RAW BEANS OR CORN, OR ANYTHING OLD/SPOILED/MOLDY.
A good feeding rule is: if you wouldn't eat it, don't feed it to your rabbit!
Always clean, always cool, always available. Use a heavy untippable crock or a sipper bottle - or both in case bunny manages to tip the "untippable" crock! Never allow your bun to drink water with algae in it. Check the sipper bottle each time you refill it to make sure it's delivering. (Sometimes the little ball gets stuck and water can't come out).
NO SEEDS OR PITS. Pineapple, mango, and papaya all contain a natural enxymes which are thought to break down/prevent hairballs. ALL FRUITS SHOULD BE GIVEN IN MODERATION.
Most treat foods sold for rabbits are largely sugars and fats and should be avoided. Yogurt drops, seed/nut bars, corncobs, wafer snacks etc. are garbage foods. Stick to dried fruits devoid of extra sugar or sulfites. Carefresh has a dried apple treat. Brown's has a crunchy alfalfa heart-shaped bisquit. www.rabbitshop.com sells some rabbit treats. Moderation is the key for any snack food.
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