Feeding rabbits correctly is fundamental to keep them healthy and happy.
Advice on feeding rabbits has evolved over the time. Although myths and misinformation are still around, we are now truly conscious of rabbit welfare and we know what they should and should not eat as they are seen as house pets and not just meat animals.
Whether you're an expert rabbit owner or a beginner, remember that rabbits have a very delicate digestive system and they can easily go into GI stasis.
In our article you'll find the basic details to determine if your fluffy friends are already following a suitable and safe diet or not.
Food you shouldn't feed your rabbits
Some types of vegetables
Rabbits should eat an adult-sized handful of leafy green vegetables and fresh herbs everyday. However, not all the vegetables are good for them because toxic or difficult to digest. Some of these are:
- potatoes and root vegetables
- iceberg lettuce and chard
- onions and leek
- mushrooms
- avocado
- garlic
- olives
- beans
- corn
Muesli mixes
These are commercial dried food with shaped, colored pieces coated in molasses. These mixes can cause serious teeth and digestive problems because of their ingredients (seeds, grains, flaked maize) and their high level of sugar.
Dairy products
Rabbits are hebivores. Therefore, they shouldn't eat any dairy products as they can't digest them.
Human food
Remember that rabbits are different from cats and dogs. Although it would be very cute to share a bite of your meal with your rabbits, this could have serious consequences on their health. Bread, biscuits, pizza, ice cream, chocolate, popcorn, peanut butter etc should never be fed as they can cause digestive problems and lead to GI stasis.
Nuts and seeds
Seeds and nuts contain toxic elements that could make your rabbits ill and are hard to digest. Beware of pet shops and vets recommending seed bars and similar products for rabbits.
The perfect rabbit diet
Keeping your rabbits healthy and happy is quite simple. Make sure you...
Provide plenty of hay
According to the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF), 85% of the rabbit’s diet MUST be made up of hay. You should provide a pile of hay the size of your rabbit each day. Hay is incredibly important as it helps them wear down their teeth and keep their digestive system moving. Rabbits don't like eating soiled hay so make sure you refresh and top it up every now and then during the day. Don't forget to shake off any dust!
We get our Timothy and Cotswald Sweet Hay from Little Hay Co.
Do not overfeed pellets
Pellets make up 5% of the rabbit's diet. To avoid making your rabbits food selective, feed them only a small amount every day. You could use them as a treat you can hand feed or you can hide them into dig boxes and treat balls to make your bunnies more active.
Many big pet supply companies changed the recipe of their pellets, so make sure you check out the ingredients before purchasing them.
Provide fresh vegetables
Vegetables and herbs make up 10% of the rabbit’s daily diet. You can buy them at the supermarket, grow them in your garden or pick up wild plants. In all cases, wash everything thoroughly and if you pick up wild plants, make sure you can identify them properly.
Provide fresh, clean water
Rabbits can drink as much as a small dog. That's why you need to ensure they've got constant access to fresh, clean water every day.
Ideally, they'd drink from heavy ceramic or steel bowls they can't tip over. Avoid using bottles as they don't provide the right amount of water.
Whatever you decide to use, make sure to clean them properly to avoid any bacteria to contaminate the water.
Don't overfeed carrot and fruit
The myth that rabbits only eat carrots (like Bugs Bunny) is wrong. Rabbits should only eat a small amount of fresh or dry carrot every now and then because high in sugar.
Rabbit wellbeing comes first
Rabbits are delicate little pets who can suffer with severe digestive problems. That's why getting their diet correct is paramount.
Always remember to introduce new foods slowly, in small amounts and not all at the same time to see how your rabbits react to them.
If you see your little fluffy friends are bored, make food fun: sprinkle some forage on their hay or create dig box with forage, herbs, hay and pellet to encourage them to be more active.