diet rabbit

Hay – The majority of rabbits’ diet should consist of hay. High quality grass hays, such as timothy or oat hay, must always be available to your rabbits. Avoid feeding lawnmower clippings because these can disturb the digestive system of your rabbit, making them sick. It is recommended that baby rabbits should be fed on alfalfa hay and introduced to grass hays by 6 to 7 months, slowly lessening alfalfa hay until your rabbit is only on grass hays by one year.

Vegetables – Get right information about the plants that are safe to feed your pet rabbits, and feed them safe, properly washed leafy greens or weeds daily. Vegetables that can be fed to rabbits include carrots, carrot tops, broccoli, parsley, mustard greens, collard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, romaine lettuce, kale, spinach, and endive. Avoid feeding beans, cabbage, iceberg lettuce, potatoes, rhubarb, and cauliflower as they can cause digestive problems.

Pellets – Feed a little quantity of commercial rabbit pellets or cereal mix occasionally. However, do not ignore the importance of hay and grass. When giving pellets or cereal mix, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Avoid feeding these manufactured foods frequently as this can lead your pet to not eating adequate amount of hay and grass.

However, you can feed a larger portion of pellets or mix to growing, pregnant, nursing, or underweight rabbits. It is better to get an advice of your vet or a rabbit nutritionist about how to provide the proper diet for your rabbit.

Treats – Only give 1 to 2 tablespoons of root vegetables such as carrots, twigs from apple or willow trees, or any fruit, daily as a treat. Avoid feeding any other treats as these may harm your pets.

Water – Make sure to provide your pet rabbit fresh, clean drinking water at all times. Check the water supply twice a day, and if your rabbits live outdoors in winter then ensure that water does not freeze.

It is important to note that making sudden changes to your rabbits’ diet can disturb their digestive system and can make them extremely sick. Therefore, be very careful while doing it. Moreover, closely watch the amount your pet rabbits eat and drink. If you notice any change in their eating or drinking habits, immediately consult your veterinarian for medical checkup.