Bunny Tales….it’s not all about the carrots!
Proper nutrition is essential when raising rabbits. Many owners think that bunnies survive on carrots and lettuce but this is not the truth. Older practices of feeding just alfalfa pellets and treats leave a rabbit prone to a variety of ailments such as obesity, foot problems, hairballs, diarrhea, etc. Grass hay is very important to a healthy digestive tract. Alfalfa pellets have too much calcium and the fiber is not coarse enough for a rabbit’s needs, although feeding alfalfa pellets as part of a balanced diet is okay. This post is going to deal with proper nutrition for those "wrasckly wrabbits". This along with proper housing, neutering and tonnes of affection can lead a rabbit to live a long and healthy life (7-10 years).
What to feed your rabbit:
Good quality timothy hay
Lots of fresh water
Measured quantities of pellets (1/4 c per 5lb of rabbit)
Untreated grass from your lawn (no pesticides or fertilizers
Dandelions and their greens
Fresh greens (in small amounts) like kale, parsley, romaine lettuce (1 c per 5 lbs of rabbit)
Do Not Feed:
Any processed foods
High carbohydrates or sugars like bread, cereals, grains
Processed rabbit treats
Drinks made for human consumption
Many nutrients are made available by digestion that occurs in the cecum, which is located at the origin of the large intestine. In order to allow absorption by the small intestine, rabbits recycle these nutrients by eating their own pellets. Rabbits even make a different type of pellet, called a "cecotrope," that has more nutrients. Most rabbits will eat their pellets at night which goes unnoticed by their owners.
Older practices of feeding just alfalfa pellets and treats leave a rabbit prone to a variety of ailments such as obesity, foot problems, hairballs, diarrhea, etc. Grass hay is very important to a healthy digestive tract. Alfalfa pellets have too much calcium and the fiber is not coarse enough for a rabbit’s needs, although feeding alfalfa pellets as part of a balanced diet is okay. Even alfalfa hay, though, is not ideal.
Powered by Qumana
