Diet

A rabbit's diet should be made up of good quality pellets, fresh hay (alfalfa, timothy or oat), water and fresh vegetables. Anything beyond that is a "treat" and should be given in limited quantities. What makes a good pellet? Pellets should be fresh, and should be relatively high in fiber (18% minimum fiber). Do not purchase more than 6 weeks worth of feed at a time, as it will become spoiled. Pellets should make up less of a rabbit's diet as he or she grows older, and hay should be available 24 hours a day. What kinds of veggies should I feed my rabbit? When shopping for vegetables , look for a selection of different veggies--look for both dark leafy veggies and root vegetables, and try to get different colors. Stay away from beans and rhubarb. Here's a suggested veggie list. Is feeding hay important? Hay is essential to a rabbit's good health, providing roughage which reduces the danger of hairballs and other blockages. Apple tree twigs also provide good roughage. What quantities of food should I feed babies and "teenagers"? Birth to 3 weeks--mother's milk 3 to 4 weeks--mother's milk, nibbles of alfalfa and pellets 4 to 7 weeks--mother's milk, access to alfalfa and pellets 7 weeks to 7 months--unlimited pellets, unlimited hay (plus see 12 weeks below) 12 weeks--introduce vegetables (one at a time, quantities under 1/2 oz.) What quantities of food should I feed young adults? (7 months to 1 year) introduce timothy hay, grass hay, and oat hays, decrease alfalfa decrease pellets to 1/2 cup per 6 lbs. body weight increase daily vegetables gradually fruit daily ration no more than 1 oz. to 2 oz. per 6 lbs. body weight (because of calories) What quantities of food should I feed mature adults? (1 to 5 years) Unlimited timothy, grass hay, oat hay, straw 1/4 to 1/2 cup pellets per 6 lbs. body weight (depending on metabolism and/or proportionate to veggies) Minimum 2 cups chopped vegetables per 6 lbs. body weight fruit daily ration no more than 2 oz. (4 TBL) per 6 lbs. body weight. What quantities of food should I feed senior rabbits? (Over 6 years) If sufficient weight is maintained, continue adult diet Frail, older rabbits may need unrestricted pellets to keep weight up. Alfalfa can be given to underweight rabbits, only if calcium levels are normal. Annual blood workups are highly recommended for geriatric rabbits. If I feed fewer pellets, how do I compensate? When you feed a lower quantity of pellets, you must replace the nutritional value without the calories, which is done by increasing the vegetables. Also, a variety of hay and straw must be encouraged all day long, we do this by offering fresh hay a couple of times a day.Primary Author(s): Marinell Harriman Sources: HRH, various articles from the HRJ, RHN