How to Feed a Rabbit

Provide hay for rabbits. Hay is the most important component of their diet. ^[2] It has a lot of benefits. For example, there is fiber, which helps move waste through the rabbit’s intestines and prevents intestinal stasis. ^[3] Hay also causes rabbits to chew frequently, helping to keep their teeth sharpened. ^[4]

• In addition, hay keeps rabbits entertained because rabbits can play with them and arrange themselves around their cages. ^[5]
• 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] Alfalfa and clover are rich in protein and calcium, which can cause kidney and bladder problems in adult rabbits. ^[7]
• High-quality hay is green and fragrant, and free from mold and dirt. ^[8]
• 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]

Add pellets to your rabbit’s diet in moderation. Compressed grass should only make up a small amount of your rabbit’s diet. This type of food is high in calories and low in fiber, so it easily leads to obesity and teeth that grow too long. You should only feed your rabbit extruded pellets (the shape of each pill is similar) and not junk food mixed with different things (this food will stimulate the rabbit to eat only foods that are easy to eat). but with less calcium). Each day, feed rabbits compressed at the rate of 30 g of compressed grass for each pound (~0.5 kg) of the rabbit’s weight. If your rabbit is addicted to pellets and refuses to eat hay, you should make a gradual change by gradually reducing the amount of pellets and making sure that the rabbit is always without a shortage of fresh hay.

• 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] [11]}
• The compacted grass you feed your rabbit should be made from tabby grass (timothy) instead of alfalfa. ^[12]
• 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.

Let the rabbit eat green vegetables. Green vegetables provide water for the intestinal tract, ^[13] to increase the efficiency of digestion. There are a variety of vegetables you can give your rabbit, including celery, collard greens, green bell peppers, and turnip greens. ^[14] Vegetables rich in vitamin A such as broccoli, carrots or collard greens are important in feeding rabbits. ^[15]

• 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]
• Fresh fruit can also be added to the rabbit’s diet, as should only be used as a reward, ^[17] because fruit contains high sugar content, rabbits eating a lot of it can lead to obesity.

Provide clean water for rabbits. Rabbits need to drink clean water to keep their intestines hydrated. Without enough water, the intestines can become dry and blocked. This can lead to intestinal stasis, which is life-threatening to the rabbit if not treated immediately. ^[18]

• 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] If your rabbit has not defecated in 12-24 hours, the intestines may be dehydrated – then you need to call your veterinarian immediately. ^[20]

Find out what foods are not allowed for rabbits. There are many foods that you absolutely should not feed your rabbit , including chocolate, pasta, bread, and yogurt. ^[21] You should also not let rabbits eat nuts, biscuits or breakfast cereals intended for humans. ^[22]

• 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] They can also cause fatty liver disease and are a contributing factor to obesity. ^[24]
• Avoid feeding your rabbit corn. Because rabbits cannot digest corn, their ingestion of this food can lead to life-threatening intestinal blockages. ^[25]