The truth about what to feed your rabbit

As a new rabbit owner, I've done a great amount of research concerning how to care for this adorable and loving pet. However, when it comes to figuring out what to feed to him, I've read and heard just about everything. I've searched the internet, read books and talked to veterinarians. Now that I feel I finally have a clue, I'm hoping I will save someone else the trouble by sharing my findings with you. These little guys can live for up to ten years (the vet I spoke to today told me her rabbit lived for 11 years!) They just need a lot of love and care to live a long and healthy life, don't we all?

Rabbits have sensitive digestive systems. The solution? Increase the fiber and decrease the calcium.

Hay. The most important component of the rabbits diet is grass hay. This can be Timothy, Brome and Orchard Grass, but not alfalfa which is high in calcium. As you can see by taking a gander at the photo to the right, HAY and hay are most certainly what your rabbit's little digestive system needs. Give your bunny large, fresh quantities each day, and they will munch until their heart's content. It's also important that the hay be suspended somewhere in their cage. I've heard of everything from hanging the hay, to constructing a small box out of cardboard that will attach to the side of the cage and hold the hay. You don't want to put the hay in the litter box, or use it as bedding in the cage. Keep bathroom and food separate please!

Leafy greens. If you don't have a herb garden in your kitchen, it's time to start one. Basil, parsley, cilantro, and mint (Rocky LOVES mint) are a few bunny favorites. Also recommended are green peppers, carrots and carrots tops, cauliflower, and mustard greens. You'll want to give your rabbit at least three different kinds of veggies a day (you wouldn't want to eat the same exact food every single day, would you?) and 1 cup per day for every 5 pounds of body weight.

Pellets. Despite all my research, this is the area where I failed miserably. Let me start by saying that, for the most part, every rabbit food you will find in your typical pet store is no good. The two brands of pellets, and the only two brands that I find are recommended, are Oxbow and Mazuri. These two brands, versus most of the others you will stumble across, are the human equivalent of fast food v. Wholefoods. Stick with Wholefoods, and yes, it's a bit more pricey just like Wholefoods. However, that $2-$3 difference will add up to a healthy bunny, (see the links below to purchase pellets for your rabbit.) The recommended amount of pellets is only 1/4 to 1/3 cup each day per 5 pounds of body weight.

Treats. It's always fun to give your pet treats. They get excited, they love you. However, you have to limit the amount of treats, just as we should limit our own. Fruit is a yummy treat that your rabbit will most definitely find tasty. Stay away from banana (too high in calories), but berries are a good option. Raspberries and blackberries seem to be the best, apples have also been recommended; be careful for seeds which can cause digestive complications. Your bunny only needs 1 tablespoon of fruit a day per 5 pounds of body weight.

I would like to thank my local vet and the House Rabbit Society for giving me the very best nutritional information. Thank you!

Links:

http://www.rabbit.org/ - This website is absolutely fantastic. This will answer just about any question you have about your rabbit, from litter training to health conditions, you will find nearly everything you need here.

http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/

http://www.mazuri.com/