Feeding your rabbit a proper diet is crucial for their health and happiness. Contrary to popular belief, a rabbit's diet should consist of more than just carrots, which should only be given sparingly due to their high sugar content. This article provides a comprehensive guide to crafting a healthy and balanced diet for your bunny.
Understanding the Basics of a Healthy Rabbit Diet
A well-rounded rabbit diet primarily consists of hay, supplemented with fresh vegetables, a limited amount of pellets, and occasional treats. It's essential to introduce dietary changes gradually to allow your rabbit's sensitive digestive system to adjust.The ideal diet composition is:
- Hay: 80-90%
- Fresh Vegetables: 10%
- Pellets: Small quantity
- Treats (including fruits): Less than 5%
Adult Rabbit Diet (1-5 years)
- Unlimited hay
- Minimum 2 cups chopped vegetables per 6 lbs of body weight per day
- 1/4 cup pellets per 6 lbs of body weight
Young Adult Diet (7 months - 1 year)
- Unlimited grass hay
- 1/2 cup timothy pellets
- 1 cup greens
- 1 oz.
Senior Diet (6 years +)
- Unlimited grass hay (add alfalfa if underweight)
- Alfalfa pellets (if underweight) / timothy pellets (if healthy weight)
- 2 cup greens
- 2 oz.
The Importance of Hay
Hay is the cornerstone of a rabbit's diet, comprising 80-90% of their daily intake. It is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system and preventing blockages. Grass hays like timothy, orchard, oat, and brome are excellent choices for adult rabbits. Alfalfa hay, being richer, is more suitable for nursing mothers and young rabbits.
Dental Health
A rabbit's teeth continuously grow. Eating hay helps wear them down, preventing painful dental issues. Insufficient hay consumption can lead to the development of sharp points on their teeth, causing cuts in the tongue, gums, and cheeks, and ultimately deterring them from eating. This condition requires veterinary intervention to file down the points.
Hay Selection
Offer a variety of grass hays to encourage healthy eating habits. A blend of timothy and orchard hays is a good base, and meadow grass, ryegrass, and oat grass are also suitable options. Avoid alfalfa for adult rabbits, as it doesn't contain enough fiber for optimal digestive health.
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Fresh Vegetables: A Daily Must
Rabbits should consume a minimum of three different types of leafy green vegetables daily to obtain essential vitamins and nutrients. Introduce new vegetables slowly and monitor for any adverse reactions like soft stool or diarrhea.
Guidelines for Vegetables
- Leafy vegetables should make up about 75% of the fresh portion of your rabbit's diet.
- Non-leafy vegetables should constitute no more than 15% of your rabbit's diet, approximately 1 tablespoon per 2 pounds of body weight per day.
- Always wash or scrub fresh vegetables thoroughly, especially due to the emergence of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type-2 (RHDV2). House Rabbit Society recommends washing all vegetables for at least two minutes, in a bowl, changing the water several times.
Vegetables to Feed Daily
- Bell peppers
- Bok choy
- Brussels sprouts
- Carrot tops
- Cucumber
- Endive
- Escarole
- Fennel
- Herbs: Basil, cilantro, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme
- Lettuces: Romaine, green leaf, red leaf, Boston bibb, arugula, butter
- Okra leaves
- Radicchio
- Radish tops
- Sprouts: Alfalfa, radish, clover
- Watercress
- Wheatgrass
- Zucchini
Vegetables to Limit (One or Two Times a Week)
- Broccoli (stems and leaves only)
- Carrots
- Chard
- Clover
- Collard greens
- Dandelion greens (pesticide-free)
- Flowers: Calendula, chamomile, daylily, dianthus, English daisy, hibiscus, honeysuckle, marigold, nasturtium, pansy, rose
- Kale
- Spinach
Vegetables to Avoid
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Iceberg lettuce (low in nutrients)
- Potatoes
- Beans
- Rhubarb
- Turnip greens
Pellets: A Supplemental Food
Pellets should be a supplemental part of a rabbit's diet, not the primary component. Look for high-quality pellets with a minimum of 18% fiber. Timothy-based pellets are preferred for adults, while alfalfa-based pellets are suitable for young rabbits.
Choosing the Right Pellets
- Oxbow Essentials for Rabbits: Relatively high in fiber and low in protein.
- Zupreem Nature’s Promise: A good-quality soy-free timothy pellet.
- Sherwood Pet Health: Grain-free and soy-free options, suitable for rabbits with delicate GI systems.
- Supreme Selective Naturals: High-fiber pellet made with timothy hay, without corn or wheat, and a grain-free option.
Transitioning to New Pellets
When switching to a new brand of pellets, make the change gradually.
Fruits: Treats in Moderation
Fruits should be given as treats, no more than once or twice a week, and should constitute no more than 10% of a rabbit's diet, or about 1 teaspoon per 2 pounds of body weight per day.
Fruits to Feed (One or Two Times a Week)
- Apple (no seeds)
- Banana
- Berries: Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries
- Cherries (no seeds)
- Grapes
- Melon
- Nectarine
- Orange
- Papaya
- Peach
- Pear
- Pineapple
- Plum
- Watermelon
The Downside of Too Much Fruit
Fruits are high in sugar and should be given in limited quantities. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, soft stools, diarrhea, and dental problems.
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Treats: Choose Wisely
Healthy treats include small pieces of fresh or freeze-dried fruit, natural, unprocessed mixes that include hay and dried flowers, and Oxbow brand rabbit treats.
Treats to Avoid
Avoid treats with added sugar, preservatives, and artificial coloring, and never give your rabbit human treats.
Foods to Absolutely Avoid
Some foods can be harmful to rabbits and should be avoided entirely:
- All human treats
- Beans
- Beet greens
- Cereal
- Chocolate
- Corn or corn-cob treats
- Crackers
- Legumes
- Mustard greens
- Nuts
- Pasta
- Peas
- Seeds
- Sugar
- Yogurt
Water: Always Available
Rabbits need an unlimited supply of fresh water, changed daily. Bowls are preferable to water bottles as they are easier to clean and more natural for rabbits to drink from.
Additional Tips for a Healthy Rabbit
Foraging
Consider nurturing your rabbit's natural foraging habits by incorporating safe plants and flowers into their environment.
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Monitoring Your Rabbit’s Health
Pay close attention to your rabbit's eating habits and stool consistency. Changes in appetite or the presence of soft stools or diarrhea can indicate digestive problems. Consult with a rabbit-savvy veterinarian about any concerns.
Serving Vegetables
Serve vegetables wet to increase your rabbit’s intake of liquid. Do not serve your bunny spoiled vegetables. If you wouldn’t eat it yourself, don’t feed it to your bunny.
Introducing New Foods
Introduce new foods one at a time and in small quantities to monitor your rabbit's reaction.
Hygiene
Clean your rabbit's food and water bowls regularly to prevent bacterial growth.