There’s more to a rabbit’s diet than just carrots! Feeding a proper diet is essential for your bunny’s health and happiness. But with so many opinions on what to feed rabbits, it can get confusing. Never fear, Rabbit Diet 101 is here! In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to feed your floppy-eared friend. From unlimited hay to leafy greens to measured pellets, we cover it all. You’ll also learn about treat choices, avoiding dangerous plants, and tailoring diets for young, elderly, or overweight rabbits. Get ready to be a rabbit meal planning pro after reading this hop-tastic primer! Your bunny will be thumping with joy over their nutritionally balanced dishes.
Part 1: Unlimited Grass Hay
Fiber is absolutely essential in a rabbit's diet. Rabbits have digestive systems that require large amounts of fiber in order to function properly. Without adequate fiber, rabbits can develop potentially fatal conditions like gastrointestinal stasis. Grass hays, like timothy hay, orchard grass, oat hay, and brome, provide rabbits with the high levels of fiber they need. These hays should make up at least 75% of a adult rabbit's diet.
Offering unlimited grass hay is recommended. Rabbits should have constant access to hay. Provide hay in various locations around your rabbit's habitat. Hay racks offer easy access, while scattering small piles around encourages natural foraging behavior. Check hay frequently and replenish as needed.
The act of chewing hay also provides important dental health benefits. The abrasive nature of hay helps file down a rabbit's continuously growing teeth. Rabbits' teeth grow at a rate of 3-5mm per week! Without hay to grind them down, rabbit teeth would quickly overgrow, misalign, and cause pain or injury.
What about legume hays like alfalfa? Alfalfa is higher in calories, protein, and calcium than grass hays. This makes it great for young, pregnant, nursing, or underweight rabbits that need extra nutrition. However, for adult rabbits, the high protein and calcium content of an alfalfa-based diet can lead to obesity and bladder stones. Limit alfalfa hay to a treat for adults, favoring grass hays as the staple.
Part 2: Fresh Leafy Greens
In addition to unlimited hay, rabbits also require a daily portion of fresh leafy greens. These provide added hydration and nutrition. Dark leafy greens are ideal, packed with vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.
Good options include kale, parsley, cilantro, mustard greens, dandelion greens, romaine lettuce, carrot tops, broccoli leaves, collard greens, turnip greens, arugula, watercress, frisée, and mache. Introduce new greens slowly and monitor for any diarrhea or digestive upset.
Leafy greens should comprise about 25% of a rabbit's diet. Feed approximately 1 packed cup per 2 lbs of body weight daily. Divide into 2 or more feedings throughout the day. Make sure greens are pesticide-free. Thoroughly rinse or soak greens to remove dirt and minimize pesticide residues. Avoid iceberg lettuce as it has limited nutritional value.
Part 3: Pellets
While hay and leafy greens should make up the bulk of a rabbit's intake, a small portion of pellets can provide round out a rabbit's nutritional needs. Look for pellets that are plant-based, made from timothy grass and alfalfa. They should be relatively low in protein, between 14-19%. Some also contain added probiotics which support digestive health.
When choosing pellets, aim for a high fiber content, low fat, and minimal colorful millet, corn, nuts, seeds, or dried fruit. These tasty add-ins may seem fun but can lead to obesity. Plain grass pellets keep things simple. Following package instructions, feed a 1/4 cup per 5 lbs body weight daily. Always provide pellets in a bowl, never free-feed directly from the bag.
Part 4: Water
Fresh, clean water is absolutely essential for rabbits. Water supports digestion, nutrient absorption, circulation, body temperature regulation, and overall health. Rabbits have small body sizes and can be prone to dehydration, especially when eating dry hay-based diets. Make sure unlimited water is always available.
Provide water in a ceramic bowl or hanging water bottle. Bowls allow more natural drinking postures. However, bottles tend to stay cleaner. Be sure to refill bottles and clean bowls frequently to prevent growth of bacteria or algae. Many rabbits prefer filtered or bottled water instead of tap. Consider investing in a small water filtration system just for your rabbit.
Monitor your rabbit's water intake. Increased thirst may indicate a health problem. Contact your veterinarian if you notice sudden changes in water consumption.
Part 5: Treats
It's ok to spoil your bunny with an occasional treat! Stick to healthy, natural treat options. Some ideas include:
- A few dried papaya or pineapple pieces
- A couple fresh or frozen cranberries
- A small piece of banana (avoid giving daily as high sugar)
- One baby carrot or carrot top
- A few fresh herbs like mint, basil, dill or cilantro
- A single slice of apple (avoid seeds, core)
- A few unsalted roasted peanuts or walnuts (occasionally, high fat)
- A small portion of oat hay or botanical hay like chamomile, rose petals, lavender (for variety)
When trying new treats, offer just a tiny piece at first. Monitor stool quality and appetite closely. Over-treating can lead to digestive upset and appetite decrease. For most adult rabbits, a teaspoon or two of treats 2-3 times per week is plenty.
Look for treats free of dairy, grains, sugars, salts, colorings, and preservatives. Stick to plain, single ingredient options. Dried fruit and veggies are ok for variety, but avoiding excess sugars is best. Stay away from snacks made for humans like crackers, cereal, cookies, chips, chocolate, yogurt drops, or seed treats. These are unhealthy and unsafe for rabbits.
Part 6: How to introduce new foods to your rabbit's diet
When transitioning your rabbit to a new diet, go slow with changes. Start by mixing a small amount of the new food in with the old. Gradually increase the ratio of new to old food over 2-3 weeks. This gives the digestive system time to adapt.
An abrupt diet change can disrupt gut flora and cause diarrhea. If stool gets soft, go back to the previous ratio for a few days. Then continue increasing the new food more gradually. Sometimes mixing the old and new food types can help prevent digestive issues too.
For example, when switching hay types, offer the new hay in a hay rack alongside the familiar hay. Let your rabbit get used to the sight, smell, and texture of the new hay while still munching the old. Once eating both comfortably, start reducing the amount of old hay. The same can be done when changing pellets – mix the new pellets into the old slowly over 14 days or so.
Patience prevents tummy troubles during diet transitions. Always monitor stool and appetite closely. Call your vet if severe diarrhea or appetite loss occurs.
Part 7: Monitoring your rabbits health
Diet is directly linked to health, so keep a close eye on your rabbit. Monitor their food and water intake, activity levels, and litter box habits. Weigh your rabbit weekly or monthly to watch for weight loss or gain.
Get familiar with your rabbit's baseline vital signs – heart rate, respiration rate, and body temperature. Take your rabbit for annual vet check-ups to screen for illness and assess any needed diet adjustments.
Contact your vet promptly if you notice any of the following:
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss or gain
- Diarrhea or abnormal stool
- Lethargy, hiding, lack of activity
- Dehydration – dry sticky gums, sunken eyes, tenting skin
- Overgrown teeth or sores in mouth
- Increased water consumption
- Changes in behavior
Part 8: House plants, garden plants, and flowers
When rabbit-proofing your home or yard, identify and remove any potentially toxic plants. Rabbits love to nibble, but many common house and garden plants can cause toxicity.
Some notable plants to avoid include:
- Lilies
- Tulips
- Daffodils
- Foxglove
- Oleander
- Azaleas
- Rhododendrons
- Poinsettias
- English Yew
- Cherry trees
- Tomato plants
- Potato plants
- Rhubarb leaves
- Ivy
Instead provide safe chew toys. Good options are untreated wicker baskets, seagrass mats, paper bags, cardboard boxes, and untreated wood. Supervise chewing to prevent intestinal blockages.
When landscaping, choose rabbit-friendly plants. Edible herbs like mint, basil, dill, cilantro are great. Rosemary, lavender, geraniums, marigolds, pansies, and zinnias also make good landscaping plants around bunny habitats. Just be sure any fertilizers or pesticides have fully dissipated before rabbit access.
If you want to offer flowers as a treat, select organic, chemical-free options. Some safe choices include roses, hibiscus, pansies, violets, nasturtiums, and dandelions. Introduce new flowers slowly in tiny quantities. Avoid lilies as these are highly toxic to rabbits.
Adjustments to diet for young rabbits
Baby rabbits under 6 months old require a diet higher in protein, calories, and calcium to support growth and development. Choose an alfalfa-based pellet and provide unlimited alfalfa hay. Alfalfa has more protein and calcium than grass hays.
You can also supplement with alfalfa hay cubes. Offer a variety of leafy greens daily, gradually increasing quantity as bunny grows. Limit sugary fruits as treats. Avoid high-calcium greens like kale, broccoli and spinach in excess.
Once rabbits reach 6-7 months old, slowly transition them to a grass hay, lower protein pellet, and greater leafy green vegetable diet better suited for adult rabbits. The gradual transition prevents digestive upset.
Adjustments to diet for elderly rabbits
Senior rabbits may need adjustments to their diet. Older rabbits are prone to weight gain and low metabolism. Switch to a lower calorie timothy grass pellet formula. Limit alfalfa hay and sugary treats which can contribute excess calories.
Continue offering grass hay at all times. However senior rabbits may have weaker jaws and teeth. Try cutting hay into shorter lengths or soaking it to soften. This makes it easier to chew with age-related dental disease. Avoid large chunky greens, instead chopping vegetables finely or grating for easier consumption.
Senior rabbits also need extra hydration. Supplement water intake with fresh leafy greens high in moisture. Herbal teas can encourage drinking too. Provide water bowls on multiple levels to prevent arthritis and sore hocks from limiting access.
Helping obese rabbits return to a healthy weight
If your rabbit becomes overweight, consult your vet on a safe weight loss plan. Drastic cuts in calories or rationing food can be dangerous. Slow graded changes are best for the digestive tract.
First cut out all treats and fruits. Increase exercise opportunities with more outdoor time. Switch to a grass hay based pellet with at least 25% fiber. Feed measured amounts divided into 3-5 portions spaced throughout the day to prevent gorging.
Gradually increase grass hay ratio, providing unlimited timothy or oat hay. The extra fiber and chewing time promotes feelings of fullness. Also increase low calorie leafy greens high in moisture like cilantro, parsley, mustard greens, or watercress. The added water and fiber aids weight loss. Monitor weight weekly and adjust portions as needed.
Related questions
What types of wood are safe for rabbits to chew on?
Rabbits love to chew! Safe woods include untreated pine, aspen, apple, and willow branches. Avoid woods toxic to rabbits like cedar, oak, redwood, pressure treated, or painted woods.
What do wild rabbits eat?
Wild rabbits consume diets of grass, weeds like dandelions, clover, plant shoots, tree bark, seeds, fruits and vegetables. Backyard rabbits benefit from quality hay and greens to mimic the diverse diets of wild rabbits.
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