Rabbit food suggestions for a healthy diet

Rabbit food suggestions for a healthy diet

Proper nutrition keeps rabbits healthy, whether you raise pets or breed them. While this is true, the type of rabbit food depends on the animal's life stage. Generally, rabbits thrive on a 16 percent protein diet. Breastfeeding mothers and their kits need at least 18 percent protein.

The effects of a consistent, unbalanced diet are easy to see. The fur is boring. The rabbits have a weak immune system and often have digestive problems. Baby rabbits grow slower.

Rabbit food suggestions

1. Timothy Grass Hay – Always keep an adequate supply of this type of hay on hand to ensure your rabbits get enough fiber. Without hay, your cottontails could be plagued by hairballs and suffer from diarrhea. The animals are likely to become obese.

2. Alfalfa Hay – This should only be given to adults if this is the only type of hay you can find in your area. Quantities should be limited. This hay is high in protein, too high in calcium, and way too many calories for rabbits.

3. Manufactured Rabbit Pellets – The bite-sized rabbit pellets available in stores are made from ground hay, vitamins, minerals and other ingredients that are good for a bunny's digestive system. Experienced breeders recommend two daily feedings. Give rabbits one-eighth to one-quarter of a standard dish for every five pounds of a rabbit's body weight. Avoid colored pellets or feed that is old and moldy.

4. Fresh Vegetables and Fruit – Green vegetables such as romaine, parsley, endive, arugula, chervil, dandelion and collard greens are excellent choices. Iceberg lettuce should not be on your rabbit food list. Its nutritional value is limited. Do not feed baby bunnies vegetables and fruits if you want to prevent enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine). Introduce these new foods to your young rabbits slowly and monitor their progress.

5. Treats – Carrots are starchy and should only be given sparingly as a treat. Slowly introduce your rabbits to fruits such as apples, pears, strawberries, plums, peaches, bananas and melons. The rabbits should be at least six months old before introducing these types of rabbit food.

Water

Water is important to a rabbit's diet. It regulates the animal's body temperature on hot summer days. Change the water daily, regardless of what type of irrigation system you use.