- Joined
- Jul 9, 2012
- Messages
- 238
- Reaction score
- 660
- Points
- 206
A rabbit's voracious appetite is well-known to all bunny owners! In spite of how entertaining it can be to watch them devour lettuce leaves or munch hay, it's critical to remember that nutrition is key to keeping your rabbit healthy.
Pet rabbits can be easy to feed if you know what to feed them. In this article, the basics of rabbit nutrition will be explained in three different categories: essential rabbit foods, moderately fed foods, and treats for them to enjoy occasionally.
With the help of this article, you will be able to feed your rabbit exactly what it needs to remain healthy, happy, and active for the rest of its life. Now, let's discuss rabbit nutrition in detail!
Every breed of rabbit needs hay and fresh water on a consistent basis to maintain proper health. Because these two are so vital to the health of your rabbit, keep them in multiple locations so that your rabbits can easily access them.
The bulk of your rabbit's diet should consist of hay. To grow properly and keep their teeth in pristine shape, rabbits need the rough surface provided by hay.
Make sure the hay you buy still smells and looks fresh, never moldy or stale. Your rabbit should think of hay as tasty food, not a chore.
You can provide water for your rabbit by placing a hanging water bottle inside their enclosure as well as a water bowl outside of their enclosure. To prevent your rabbit from making a mess, use a water bowl with a heavy bottom, as many rabbits enjoy pushing things over.
If possible, offer filtered water rather than tap water to your rabbit. It is unlikely that chemicals in tap water will harm humans for long periods of time. However, rabbits have more sensitive constitutions that can be more easily affected by them.
You can supplement your rabbit's diet with high-fiber, low-protein pellets, but they shouldn't represent the majority of its food. Pellets are nutritious, but they don't grind down rabbits' teeth as effectively as hay.
If you want to feed your rabbit vegetables, be sure that they are pesticide-free and fresh! You should share vegetables with your rabbit on a daily basis to ensure that it gets a variety of nutrients.
Make sure your rabbit can digest any newly introduced vegetable before feeding it to him; otherwise, you may unwittingly feed him something that can cause serious digestive issues.
Rabbits without pre-existing health conditions can eat the following vegetables without incident:
In spite of the fact that rabbits absolutely do not need high-carbohydrate foods in their diets, those who have pet bunnies know how much they enjoy fruit! If fruits are occasionally indulged in or given as a reward for good behavior, they will not harm rabbits, but they should not be given in excess.
Make sure the fruits you give your pet are organic and pesticide-free, as with any vegetable. Fruits that rabbits enjoy include:
Giving your rabbit treats every other day is a good rule of thumb. If you have an older rabbit, you should reduce this frequency even further to maybe once or twice a week.
Do you have any rabbits? What do you feed them? Let us know below.
Pet rabbits can be easy to feed if you know what to feed them. In this article, the basics of rabbit nutrition will be explained in three different categories: essential rabbit foods, moderately fed foods, and treats for them to enjoy occasionally.
With the help of this article, you will be able to feed your rabbit exactly what it needs to remain healthy, happy, and active for the rest of its life. Now, let's discuss rabbit nutrition in detail!
The Essentials
Every breed of rabbit needs hay and fresh water on a consistent basis to maintain proper health. Because these two are so vital to the health of your rabbit, keep them in multiple locations so that your rabbits can easily access them.
The bulk of your rabbit's diet should consist of hay. To grow properly and keep their teeth in pristine shape, rabbits need the rough surface provided by hay.
Make sure the hay you buy still smells and looks fresh, never moldy or stale. Your rabbit should think of hay as tasty food, not a chore.
You can provide water for your rabbit by placing a hanging water bottle inside their enclosure as well as a water bowl outside of their enclosure. To prevent your rabbit from making a mess, use a water bowl with a heavy bottom, as many rabbits enjoy pushing things over.
If possible, offer filtered water rather than tap water to your rabbit. It is unlikely that chemicals in tap water will harm humans for long periods of time. However, rabbits have more sensitive constitutions that can be more easily affected by them.
Great When Consumed in Moderation
You can supplement your rabbit's diet with high-fiber, low-protein pellets, but they shouldn't represent the majority of its food. Pellets are nutritious, but they don't grind down rabbits' teeth as effectively as hay.
If you want to feed your rabbit vegetables, be sure that they are pesticide-free and fresh! You should share vegetables with your rabbit on a daily basis to ensure that it gets a variety of nutrients.
Make sure your rabbit can digest any newly introduced vegetable before feeding it to him; otherwise, you may unwittingly feed him something that can cause serious digestive issues.
Rabbits without pre-existing health conditions can eat the following vegetables without incident:
- Basil
- Bok Choy
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Carrot tops
- Celery
- Kale
- Mint
- Parsley
- Romaine Lettuce
Occasional Fruits & Treats
In spite of the fact that rabbits absolutely do not need high-carbohydrate foods in their diets, those who have pet bunnies know how much they enjoy fruit! If fruits are occasionally indulged in or given as a reward for good behavior, they will not harm rabbits, but they should not be given in excess.
Make sure the fruits you give your pet are organic and pesticide-free, as with any vegetable. Fruits that rabbits enjoy include:
- Apple slices (without the seeds!)
- Bananas
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
Giving your rabbit treats every other day is a good rule of thumb. If you have an older rabbit, you should reduce this frequency even further to maybe once or twice a week.
Conclusion
Rabbits need plenty of water and hay, and a daily serving of vegetables to keep them happy and healthy. Once you understand what rabbits need, keeping them happy and healthy is easy. Make sure everything you give them is fresh and free of pesticides, and save treats for special occasions or training rewards.Do you have any rabbits? What do you feed them? Let us know below.
Last edited:
