From vegetables to water and hay, a rabbit’s diet isn’t particularly varied but it provides them with what they need. Fruit and other treats are given only in very limited quantities, as they can cause obesity in a rabbit. Because of the fact rabbits can dehydrate quite quickly, a constant water supply is essential to keep them healthy. So, here is some vital information about rabbit food.
Pellets
Many rabbits get fed pellets which can be bought from a variety of different outlets…you may even want to try looking online for a good deal. Although still a popular choice with pet owners, pellets were originally used by breeders.
Hay
As well as pellets, all rabbits need hay in their hutches. Rabbits sometimes have digestive problems, but as long as there is enough hay in the hutch, they are sure to stay much healthier. Additionally, it provides a number of necessary vitamins and minerals at a low food energy cost. Most rabbits enjoy nibbling on hay and this prevents them from chewing other things, so it is definitely useful to have.
Treats
Rabbit food also comes in the form of treats. Don’t overdo the treats though, as they are bad in large quantities. Pet stores are notorious for stocking high sugar treats which aren’t designed to be fed to your rabbit every day. If an owner is determined to feed the rabbit treats, the best treat to provide it with is fruit.
Here is a helpful list of just some of the fruits that are best to feed your rabbit: Peach, Banana and Pineapple…and bear in mind that any seeds should eb taken out before giving it to your pet.
Fruits or other treats must be given in moderation, as rabbits easily become overweight and suffer health problems. Their diet should consist of no more than half a tablespoon of fruits or treats per day.
However, fresh fruits should not be given to rabbits under the age of 4 months because their digestive systems are not always developed enough to handle the fruit. The worst case scenario is when fruit can cause enteritis which can be deadly in a very short space of time.
Another tip worth noting is that lettuce isn’t all its cracked up to be – it actually shouldn’t be fed to rabbits because it has very little nutritional value and could also cause death.
Cecal pellets
Do not be alarmed if you see your rabbit eat some of his faeces. What many people don’t realise is that these faeces are called ‘cecal’ pellets and rabbits get a lot nutritional value from eating them. A rabbit needs to stay healthy, and cecal pellets help to give your bunny a good supply of vitamin B12. Due to the design of the rabbit’s digestive system, they cannot extract some vitamins and minerals directly from their food, so that is why they eat faeces. If you have never had a bunny before, this can seem a bit weird, but be assured that it is normal.
Tags: animals, pet food, pet rabbit, pets, rabbit food, rabbits
