Rabbits have complex digestive systems, so it's very important that they receive a proper diet. With wrong feeding, rabbits can suffer from many digestive problems that can be fatal. A basic rabbit diet should consist of the following foods:
Hay – the most important part of a rabbit’s diet
Rabbits need hay—specifically, grass hay such as Timothy hay, oat hay, orchard grass, brome hay, Bermuda grass etc. Rabbits should have access to an unlimited supply of grass hay, which aids their digestive systems and provides the necessary fiber to help prevent digestive problems such as hair balls, diarrhea, and obesity. Hay is also important to wear down the rabbit’s constantly-growing teeth. Alfalfa hay, on the other hand, should only be given to adult rabbits in very limited quantities, because it's high in protein, calcium, and calories, over feeding alfalfa hay may lead to diarrhea or bladder stone. Different types of hay require different chewing motions. Hence, offering a wide variety of grass hay to rabbits will encourage an even wearing down of their teeth.
Rabbits need hay—specifically, grass hay such as Timothy hay, oat hay, orchard grass, brome hay, Bermuda grass etc. Rabbits should have access to an unlimited supply of grass hay, which aids their digestive systems and provides the necessary fiber to help prevent digestive problems such as hair balls, diarrhea, and obesity. Hay is also important to wear down the rabbit’s constantly-growing teeth. Alfalfa hay, on the other hand, should only be given to adult rabbits in very limited quantities, because it's high in protein, calcium, and calories, over feeding alfalfa hay may lead to diarrhea or bladder stone. Different types of hay require different chewing motions. Hence, offering a wide variety of grass hay to rabbits will encourage an even wearing down of their teeth.
Pellets
Pellets are secondary to hay in terms of importance in a rabbit’s diet. Pellets should only be given in small quantities (1/8 -1/4 cup per five pounds of body weight per day is recommended) to adult rabbits (above 6mths). Baby rabbits (below 6mths) which are still growing may be fed unlimited pellets but the amount should be gradually reduced once they reach adulthood.
Pellets are secondary to hay in terms of importance in a rabbit’s diet. Pellets should only be given in small quantities (1/8 -1/4 cup per five pounds of body weight per day is recommended) to adult rabbits (above 6mths). Baby rabbits (below 6mths) which are still growing may be fed unlimited pellets but the amount should be gradually reduced once they reach adulthood.
Good quality pellets should be low in protein (<16%), high in fiber (>18%), and low in calcium and fat (<1% each).
Greens/Vegetables
It is not a must to feed vegetables to rabbits but vegetables may be given to add more variety to the rabbit’s diet. Feed your rabbit at least three different vegetables at a time, to ensure your rabbit gets different types of vitamins from each vegetable and also to provide a variety of flavours to your rabbit. When introducing new veggies to a rabbit's diet, try just one at a time and keep quantities limited. Remember, rabbit have complex digestive systems, whenever introducing any new veggies to a rabbit’s diet, make sure introduce slowly. Keep an eye out for soft stool – if this happens, reduce the amount of vegetables offered and if this problem continues, remove that specific type of vegetable completely from the rabbit’s diet and try again later with another type of vegetable.
It is not a must to feed vegetables to rabbits but vegetables may be given to add more variety to the rabbit’s diet. Feed your rabbit at least three different vegetables at a time, to ensure your rabbit gets different types of vitamins from each vegetable and also to provide a variety of flavours to your rabbit. When introducing new veggies to a rabbit's diet, try just one at a time and keep quantities limited. Remember, rabbit have complex digestive systems, whenever introducing any new veggies to a rabbit’s diet, make sure introduce slowly. Keep an eye out for soft stool – if this happens, reduce the amount of vegetables offered and if this problem continues, remove that specific type of vegetable completely from the rabbit’s diet and try again later with another type of vegetable.
Fruits and Treats
Treats are optional. Rabbits love treats as these are usually sweet. Common treats include carrots, apples (without stems or seeds), blueberries, papaya, strawberries, pears, peaches, plums, or melon. Extra-sugary fruits like bananas, grapes, and raisins may also be given. Remember, treats should only be given in very limited amounts to avoid spoiling the rabbit’s appetite for healthy food as well as to avoid obesity and digestive issues.
Treats are optional. Rabbits love treats as these are usually sweet. Common treats include carrots, apples (without stems or seeds), blueberries, papaya, strawberries, pears, peaches, plums, or melon. Extra-sugary fruits like bananas, grapes, and raisins may also be given. Remember, treats should only be given in very limited amounts to avoid spoiling the rabbit’s appetite for healthy food as well as to avoid obesity and digestive issues.
Foods to Avoid
With such sensitive digestive systems, there are a number of foods that rabbits should avoid eating. These include iceberg lettuce and all other light coloured vegetables, tomatoes, cabbage, corn, beans, peas, potatoes, beets, onions, rhubarb, bamboo, seeds, grains, and many others. Rabbit is not human, don't feed your rabbit chocolate, candy, anything moldy, or most human foods. Chocolate is actually poisonous to rabbits and can kill them when consumed.
With such sensitive digestive systems, there are a number of foods that rabbits should avoid eating. These include iceberg lettuce and all other light coloured vegetables, tomatoes, cabbage, corn, beans, peas, potatoes, beets, onions, rhubarb, bamboo, seeds, grains, and many others. Rabbit is not human, don't feed your rabbit chocolate, candy, anything moldy, or most human foods. Chocolate is actually poisonous to rabbits and can kill them when consumed.
Water
Rabbits should always have an ample supply of fresh water available. Be sure to change your rabbit's water at least once each day. Water can be kept in a water bottle or bowl. If you use a water bottle, watch new rabbits to make sure they know how to use the bottles, and clean bottles daily so the tubes don't get clogged. If you use a bowl, make sure that the bowl is made from ceramic and heavy enough to avoid tipping and spilling.
Rabbits should always have an ample supply of fresh water available. Be sure to change your rabbit's water at least once each day. Water can be kept in a water bottle or bowl. If you use a water bottle, watch new rabbits to make sure they know how to use the bottles, and clean bottles daily so the tubes don't get clogged. If you use a bowl, make sure that the bowl is made from ceramic and heavy enough to avoid tipping and spilling.