Feeding Your Rabbit
FEEDING YOUR RABBIT
What do rabbits eat?
Grass, pellets, and good quality hay (such as alfalfa, grass, or clover) can be used to make up a pet rabbit's diet. For rabbits less than 1 year old, pellets, grass and hay should be available ad libitum, which means the rabbit is free to eat as much of each as it wishes. For animals over 1 year of age, grass or hay, which provides fibre, should be available free choice and make up most of the diet. Pellets can be offered at approximately 1/4 cup per 5 pounds of body weight. Overfeeding adult rabbits is a common cause of disease. While rabbits can eat any type of hay, alfalfa hay is too rich to be the only source of hay; other grass hays are preferred. But GRASS is the most important!
How often should I feed my rabbit?
Rabbits should be fed grass or hay at all times. Constant chewing is a fundamental part of the health of a rabbit. Rabbits’ teeth grow constantly, and if they are not worn down by constant chewing, disease rapidly develops. The saddest and easiest way to make this happen is to provide your rabbit with free access to tasty, high value, rabbit diets. Rabbits love them, rapidly eat their fill, AND STOP EATING GRASS – because they’re no longer hungry. But their teeth keep on growing, and the start of a vicious cycle leading to serious dental problems has begun.
In addition to grass they can be given a single, small meal of pelleted food once daily. Supa Rabbit is such a food, which is commonly available.
Do I need to give my rabbit vitamins?
No, rabbits do not require extra vitamins. To help control hairballs, your veterinary surgeon may prescribe a cat laxative which can be given daily or every few days.
Can I offer my rabbit treats?
Yes, but in extreme moderation, for the reasons given above. Be sure to check with your veterinary surgeon first about what treats he or she might recommend. While obesity is not a common problem with rabbits, they certainly can become overweight if fed a lot of high calorie treats. Significant problems occur if rabbits are offered sweet treats since their digestive system was never designed to cope with such high calorie food. Items such as green vegetables may be offered daily. Anything green and leafy is loaded with vitamins and is a good supplement.
What about water?
Fresh water is offered 24 hours a day. If you offer your rabbit water in a bowl, make sure the rabbit does not spill it in his cage.
Anything else?
Many owners offer their rabbits wood sticks to chew, which helps control overgrown incisors. A good, thick, bark covered branch is excellent.