Rabbit Food

Rabbit food is a very important subject, one in which much has been learned in recent years. You not only want to use the right kinds of rabbit food for your precious pet, but it is important you also use the right proportions of the rabbit foods available. Just as bunnies are individuals when it comes to food preferences, so the owners can have different takes on the best way to feed their rabbits.

The proper diet for domestic rabbits is basically simple, two meals a day consisting of high fiber, low fat and low starch. Young rabbits should be given plenty of food until about 1/2 year old because they need the protein, then the amounts should be more strictly regulated so your bunny does not become overweight which can lead to many health concerns. Those visits to the Vet are not free.

Clean Water

Before food in importance is clean water - and lots of it. A five pound rabbit will need to drink as much water as a 24 pound dog! The daily weight of water intake should be twice that of the weight of daily food. If your rabbit goes without water for over 24 hours it could lead to sickness, and maybe even death - it is that critical. Using a water bottle that functions well is good, and so is a water crock if it is heavy enough so it cannot be tipped over. Be sure to clean the water receptacles regularly to keep the water pure. A well-hydrated bunny is what we want.

Hay

Hay is to be your bunny’s main staple so keep it available constantly. Alfalfa hay (really a legume) is good for when they are young, but then use mostly timothy hay, or orchard grass from then on because they do not have as many calories or as much calcium as the alfalfa. Your rabbit gets its protein and certain vitamins and minerals from hay, and the fiber from hay keeps the digestive system from backing up (which can cause gastrointestinal stasis) and flushes out hairballs, as well as provides beneficial bacteria for the intestinal flora. Remember, rabbits are grazers so they love to nibble. Hay nibbling keeps bunnies occupied so they don’t become bored. Hay also aids in grinding down the teeth which helps maintain a healthy dental state. And hey, eating is about a rabbit's favorite thing to do.

Pellets & Vegetables

Pellets are a great source of nutrition, developed to be nutritionally complete by scientists for lab rabbits. Let young bunnies eat all the pellets they want, then cut back on them before they reach their first birthday because they are high in calories (1/4 cup a day for small rabbits and 1/2 cup a day for larger ones is a good rule to follow).

Along with pellets be sure to include fresh vegetables (emphasis on fresh) like lettuces (but not iceberg which is low in fiber, or cabbage which can give your bunny uncomfortable gas), spinach, or anything leafy green like parsley or carrot tops (one cup a day for small rabbits and two cups a day for larger ones). Add new varieties of veggies slowly into the diet because of their delicate digestive system . Three different kinds of veggies a day is ideal. Stay away from the starchy vegetables like potatoes, corn, beans and peas, or anything that has been cooked. We are talking rabbits here, not dogs begging for scraps. Carrots are OK if used in small amounts since they have a high sugar content.

If your situation is such you can only provide fresh veggies a couple times a week, then be sure to do that. Cutting up vegetables and lettuces can be time consuming, so we buy pre-cut bags of it for when we are in a hurry.

Special Treats

Special treats need to be used sparingly. Bunnies love sweets! Fresh fruits like a slice of banana or apple, a few raisins, or some berries make for nice desserts. One ounce or so a day is a good rule. Learn for yourself what your bunny prefers; experiment. Try some dried fruits. Rabbits like dandelions and rose petals (make sure no pesticide has been used). Believe us, every bunny has their own likes and dislikes. Be very careful of dropped food in your bunny’s play area like bread crumbs or chocolate particles. And especially be careful of small pieces of wrappings made from plastic or aluminum because you do not want them finding their way into your bunny’s sensitive digestive tract.

We had a bunny, Mr. Bubbles, who went ape, I mean “bunny” for Teddy Grahams. He would do anything for his “cookie”. Out of ignorance we also started giving him a Berry Treat mix he loved so much that his pellets went to waste. In time, Mr. Bubbles developed a weepy eye caused by an abscess tooth. Surgery was required (surgeries are not free either).

Be Your Bunny's Master

Learn from our mistakes and carefully regulate your furry little friend’s rabbit food. Do not buy too much food in advance so as to keep it fresh. Be sure to remove any uneaten pellets or veggies before giving the new. Keep the pellets in a cool, dry, air-tight container, and please do not feed your bun wilted veggies. You may not have the self-control to regulate your own intake of healthy kinds of food but you can be the master of your bunny’s diet. Rabbit food is a bargain compared to feeding a dog, or let’s say a horse or cow. Local pet stores and super center type stores carry what you need, or better yet you can order online for higher quality foods - you usually get what you pay for, and this is also true of rabbit food. Most rabbits do not need vitami

n or mineral supplements, but a mineral lick is probably a good idea.