Rabbit Food Guide

Hay

Fresh hay should be available to rabbits 24/7. Alfalfa hay is fine for rabbits under the age of 7 months, but older rabbits should eat grass hays like timothy or oat hay. Hay is necessary for a rabbit's health because it provides roughage, which reduces the risk of hairballs blockage and other obstructions.

Fortified Pellets

Pellets are especially crucial during the early stages of rabbit development since they are abundant in nutrients and aid in optimal weight increase. A good pelleted meal should include a lot of fiber (18% minimum) and be nutritionally balanced. However, as a rabbit matures, pellets should make up less of the diet and be replaced with more hay and vegetables. Overfeeding pellets to adult rabbits can result in obesity and other health problems.

Vegetables

Vegetables give important vitamins as well as valuable roughage. Vegetables can be introduced as early as 5-6 months of age (I usually will start with herbs like parsley or dark leafy greens). One by one, introduce new vegetables. This way, if the bunny has a stomach ache, you'll know which food is to blame. Those that induce soft stools or diarrhea should be avoided. Continue to introduce new types, including dark leafy and root vegetables, and serve vegetables of various colors. Once your rabbit has become accustomed to a variety of veggies, feed him at least three different types each day to provide a balanced diet.

Treats

Treats, including fresh fruits, should be given sparingly because of their calorie content. Rabbits can digest small quantities of oats and barley, but again, they generally provide more calories than necessary. And, too much carbohydrate has been associated with enteritis in rabbits.

Feeding rabbits through their stages of development:

Baby Rabbits (8 weeks)

Give unlimited access to fresh water, pellets and alfalfa hay. (DO NOT FEED FRESH FRUITS AND VEGGIES AT THIS AGE AS IT COULD LEAD TO FATAL ENTERITIS).

Young Adult (6 months)

Timothy, grass hays, and/or oat hay should be offered to young adult rabbits between the ages of 6 months - 1 year, and should be available all day. Their digestive processes rely on the fiber in the hay to function properly. They'll just need a small amount of alfalfa hay and fewer pellets at this point. Alfalfa hay contains more calories and calcium than rabbits require at this period of growth, and pellets' high calorie content can lead to weight gain. You can boost your rabbit's intake of veggies and hay to compensate for the nutritional loss.

Mature adults (1 year and older)

Adult rabbits should be given an unlimited amount of timothy, grass, and oat hay. You should reduce the pellet percentage of your diet once more. A general rule of thumb is 1/4 cup of pellets per 3 pounds of body weight per day. Several veggie servings are required (1 cups per 3 pounds of body weight daily). Make sure to feed at least three different kinds of dark, leafy greens every day. Iceberg lettuce and other light-colored kinds do not provide much nutrients. Also, be sure to include dark yellow and orange vegetables in your menu. Fruits, as well as other treats, should be consumed in moderation.