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This article was co-written by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Elliott is a veterinarian with more than thirty years of experience in veterinary surgery and pet treatment. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary surgeon. She has worked at a veterinary clinic in her hometown for more than 20 years.
This article has been viewed 38,934 times.
Rabbits are great animals to keep in the house. Feeding your rabbit a healthy and balanced diet is important to keeping them happy and healthy as they grow up. Rabbits have very sensitive digestive systems—a nutritional imbalance can immediately cause serious intestinal problems that can have deadly consequences. [1] X Research Source If you know how to feed rabbits properly, you will help them maintain the best health throughout their entire lives.
Steps
Learn Rabbit Food
- In addition, hay keeps rabbits entertained because rabbits can play with them and arrange themselves around their cages. [5] X Research Sources
- Hay (e.g. cattail grass (timothy grass), oat grass) has a higher fiber content than alfalfa (alfafa) or clover, and is therefore the ideal hay to feed rabbit. [6] X Research Source Alfalfa and clover are rich in protein and calcium, which can cause kidney and bladder problems in adult rabbits. [7] X Research Sources
- High-quality hay is green and fragrant, and free from mold and dirt. [8] X Research Sources
- Consider buying hay from your local feed store. Compared to pet store hay, feed store hay is sometimes fresher and contains more nutrients to meet the rabbit’s needs. [9] X Research Source
- Compressed grass should contain a nutritional ratio that includes about 18% to 20% crude fiber, 14% to 16% protein, 1% fat and 1% calcium. [10] X Research Sources[11] X Research Sources
- The compacted grass you feed your rabbit should be made from tabby grass (timothy) instead of alfalfa. [12] X Research Source
- Avoid buying compressed grass that is not wrapped in sealed packaging. Exposure to air reduces vitamin and nutrient content. If possible, you should buy small bags of compressed grass instead of buying a large bag because once the bag is opened, the quality of the grass will begin to decrease.
- It is often feared that feeding rabbits with vegetables will cause diarrhea. This mainly only happens when you include too many different types of vegetables in your rabbit’s diet at once, rather than one at a time.
- Starchy vegetables, such as carrots, need to be fed very sparingly. [16] X Research Source
- Fresh fruit can also be added to the rabbit’s diet, as should only be used as a reward, [17] X Research Sources because fruit contains high sugar content, rabbits eating a lot of it can lead to obesity.
- It should be noted that on the outside, the rabbit may appear to be drinking enough water, but the inside may not be sufficiently hydrated. [19] X Research Source If your rabbit has not defecated in 12-24 hours, the intestines may be dehydrated – then you need to call your veterinarian immediately. [20] X Research Source
- These foods can cause a very dangerous build-up of “bad” bacteria in the rabbit’s intestines, leading to a serious condition called “enterotoxemia”. [23] X Research Source They can also cause fatty liver disease and are a contributing factor to obesity. [24] X Research Source
- Avoid feeding your rabbit corn. Because rabbits cannot digest corn, their ingestion of this food can lead to life-threatening intestinal blockages. [25] X Research Sources
Learn How to Feed a Rabbit
- Baby rabbits that are weaned and can eat food should start eating hay as soon as possible. [27] X Research Source
- Although alfalfa can cause bladder and kidney problems in adult rabbits, it is suitable for rabbits under one year of age. However, you need to be aware that if you feed your baby alfalfa, it will be difficult for them to switch to hay when they grow up. [28] X Research Sources
- Try placing grass in an angle next to your rabbit’s litter box. Rabbits often have the habit of sitting in a tray and chewing grass at the same time. In addition, putting grass in the litter box also keeps the cage cleaner. [29] X Research Sources
- Rabbits that eat a lot of compacted grass can lead to obesity. [32] X Research Source
- Because gravy doesn’t contain much fiber, too much of it can lead to soft stools that stick to the hair around the rabbit’s anus (known as “faecal butt syndrome”). [33] X Research Sources
- Rabbits may prefer pellets to hay, and this can lead to nutritional imbalances and digestive problems. [34] X Research Source
- Baby rabbits can eat compacted grass in unlimited amounts—the high protein and calcium content helps with growth. If you have young rabbits, you should gradually reduce the amount of compacted grass starting at 3 or 4 months until it is reduced to the amount of compacted grass recommended for adult rabbits. [35] X Research Source
- Feed your rabbit vegetables that are still wet – the moisture will provide the water needed to keep the rabbit’s intestines moist. [38] X Research Sources
- Divide your daily fruit and vegetable intake into two portions. Feed your rabbit half in the morning and the rest in the evening. [39] X Research Sources
- Feed your rabbit three types of vegetables per day, with at least one vegetable high in vitamin A. [40] X Research Resources The website rabbit.org/what-to-feed-your-rabbit/ lists vegetables that are high in vitamin A.
- Add a new vegetable to your rabbit’s diet slowly to avoid gastrointestinal upset. Discard any vegetables if you find them softening or causing diarrhea. [41] X Research Source
- If you have baby rabbits, you only need to feed them vegetables in very small quantities. [42] X Research Source Consult your veterinarian if you are unsure of the right amount of vegetables for your rabbit.
- Wash carrot leaves as well as radish leaves thoroughly before feeding to rabbits. [43] X Research Source
- Examples of some fruits rabbits can eat include mangoes, bananas, papayas, and cherries. [46] X Research Source
- Wash the fruit before feeding it to the rabbit.
- Change the rabbit’s water at least once a day. You should use soap and hot water to wash dishes every day. [49] X Research Sources
- Rabbits can also use pet water bottles. However, rabbits often prefer to drink water from a bowl rather than from a pitcher. If your rabbit enjoys drinking from a bottle, you should check it regularly to make sure the bottom is not leaking or clogged. [50] X Research Source
Advice
- Each breed of rabbit has different dietary needs. You should consult with your veterinarian to find out the specific dietary needs of the breed of rabbit you are raising. [51] X Research Source
- Rabbits that are pregnant, nursing, or sick will also have special dietary needs. [52] X Research Source
- The process of changing your rabbit’s diet should be done slowly. [53] X Research Sources
- A rabbit’s droppings represent the rabbit’s overall health. Normal stools are round in shape. Feces that are soft, deformed, or joined together like pearls are often a sign of digestive problems. You should contact your veterinarian immediately if your rabbit’s poop looks unusual. [54] X Research Source
- If your rabbit is constipated, you should feed it with dandelion or a little rosemary.
- Only start feeding vegetables when the rabbit is 6-7 months old. If the mother rabbit is eating vegetables and sometimes the baby rabbits also try a little, then you can try to feed the baby rabbits in very small amounts, but do not give the baby green vegetables anyway.
Warning
- Improper diet can cause a variety of serious digestive diseases in rabbits, including caecal dysbiosis (a formless, smelly faeces), intestinal stasis, fatty liver disease, and enterotoxemia. [55] X Research Sources These diseases can be fatal if not treated early.
- Rabbits once not grinding their teeth continuously will easily lead to problems related to digestion. [56] X Research Source Take your rabbit to the vet if you notice your rabbit is having trouble chewing or its chin is constantly wet. Rabbits with very long teeth are prone to excessive drooling, and this is an early sign of a possible problem.
- If your rabbit hasn’t defecated in 12 to 24 hours, there’s a very high chance that your rabbit is seriously ill. You need to see a veterinarian immediately for treatment. [57] X Research Source
This article was co-written by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Elliott is a veterinarian with more than thirty years of experience in veterinary surgery and pet treatment. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary surgeon. She has worked at a veterinary clinic in her hometown for more than 20 years.
This article has been viewed 38,934 times.
Rabbits are great animals to keep in the house. Feeding your rabbit a healthy and balanced diet is important to keeping them happy and healthy as they grow up. Rabbits have very sensitive digestive systems—a nutritional imbalance can immediately cause serious intestinal problems that can have deadly consequences. [1] X Research Source If you know how to feed rabbits properly, you will help them maintain the best health throughout their entire lives.
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