Alfalfa Pellets are perfect for
rabbits younger
than 7 months , guinea pigs younger than 6 months, and chinchillas younger than a year. For mature adult rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas Alfalfa Pellets can make a great treat in addition to their daily source of hay.
How long should rabbits eat alfalfa pellets?
You should phase out alfalfa at around four to five months old Around six months, slowly start swapping out alfalfa in favor of
grass hays
and ease up on the pellets. Adult rabbits should eat around 1/4 cup of pellets per day for every five pounds of weight they have, according to Helmer.
Is alfalfa meal good for rabbits?
Young rabbits less than six months of age, can be fed alfalfa hay rather than
timothy hay
. Alfalfa hay is higher in protein and calcium and lower in fiber than timothy hay. This is acceptable, even desirable, in young, rapidly developing rabbits. But alfalfa hay is unhealthy for adult rabbits.
What are the healthiest rabbit pellets?
oxbow garden select rabbit food
is the healthiest for rabbits. This blend follows the nutrition recommendations for protein, fat, fiber, calcium, vitamin, and sugar content in rabbit food. In addition, rabbits enjoy eating this brand of food since it contains a variety of natural flavors.
Can rabbits eat too much alfalfa?
The higher calcium levels in alfalfa hay, though, can actually be dangerous for an adult bun if they’re fed too much Bunnies metabolize calcium and get rid of the excess in their urine, but this can cause urinary stones if they’re getting more than they need.
What is the healthiest rabbit food?
Hay is the most important part of a rabbit’s daily intake. Unlimited, high-quality grass hay, such as Timothy, orchard or brome , should make up the bulk of a rabbit’s diet. Grass hay is high in fiber, which is critical to maintaining a rabbit’s healthy digestive tract.
Can I feed my rabbit only pellets?
Pellets can be good for rabbits in small quantities, but they are not a necessary part of a rabbit’s daily food intake If pet rabbits are given a balanced diet with grass-based hay and a variety of leafy green vegetables, they can still be healthy on a pellet-free diet.
Is timothy hay or alfalfa better for rabbits?
When looking at which type of hay to feed a rabbit or guinea pig, Timothy hay and Meadow hay are often considered the better and healthier options Alfalfa is known as a great hay for baby rabbits, as it contains higher calcium and protein levels to help support healthy growth and development.
Does alfalfa make rabbits gain weight?
Alfalfa is also a good way to increase protein levels whilst still providing plenty of fibre. It’s often fed to young rabbits but is also good for putting weight on adults.
Does alfalfa make rabbits fat?
If adult rabbits are given large amounts of Alfalfa Hay the excess protein will cause them to gain an abundance of weight and introduce other health issues.
What can I feed my rabbit instead of hay?
Grass is more nutritious than hay as hay is dried, causing some of the beneficial vitamins & minerals to fade over time. Just as their wild counterpart, a domestic rabbit will always opt to eat fresh grass over hay, and eat it with fervour too!.
What pellets should rabbits avoid?
Pellets should NOT contain dried fruit, seeds, nuts, colored crunchy things, or other things that are attractive to the human eyes.
What is the best litter for rabbits?
- Kaytee Kay Kob Natural Rabbit Bedding & Litter – Best Overall
- Fresh News Paper Small Rabbit Litter – Best Value
- Eco-Straw Pelleted Wheat Straw Rabbit Litter – Premium Choice
- So Phresh Paper Pellet Rabbit Litter
- Sunseed Natural Corn Cob Rabbit Litter.
How much pellet should I feed my rabbit?
Pellets: Feed a bunny small quantities An average-sized (6-10 pounds) adult rabbit only needs one-quarter cup of pellets daily If your rabbit is under five pounds, feed just one-eighth of a cup. Rabbits larger than 10 pounds do not need more than a quarter of a cup, since it’s not a crucial part of a bunny’s diet.
What time of day should I feed my bunny?
Providing pellets or
fresh greens
during the evening feeding is optimal. Rabbits are most likely to eat their pellets during the evening and overnight hours Providing food during this time decreases the number of unwanted behaviors (chewing, playing with water bottle) that may occur in the overnight hours.
At what age should bunnies stop eating pellets?
NOT alfalfa hay. For young growing rabbits, pellets can be given free choice until 6 to 8 months of age , then decrease to the maintenance amount as above. Store pellets in a closed container in a cool, dry place. Only buy enough for three months at a time.
Is alfalfa the same as timothy hay?
Alfalfa hay and timothy hay are different nutritionally Alfalfa hay and timothy hay are both forage sources commonly used in rabbit and guinea pig diets. Nutritionally speaking, however, they are very different. Alfalfa contains higher concentrations of protein and calcium compared to timothy hay (Table 1).
What rabbit food is high in protein?
If you are looking for a feed with more protein for meat-producing or breeding rabbits, then Purina ® Rabbit Chow ® Professional may be the choice for you. This is a nutrient-dense formula with 18% protein and at least 14.5% fiber.
Is grain free rabbit food better?
Wild rabbits live off a very high fibre, low protein and low in fat diet and rabbits digestive systems are designed to suit this diet and are not designed to eat wheat gluten, corn etc so feeding these high fibre, grain free nuggets is the second best thing you can do for your pet rabbit/s.
Can bunnies eat grass instead of hay?
Rabbits can eat grass instead of hay , however it’s not a change that should be made overnight. This kind of major change in a rabbits diet needs to be made in a slow transition over the course of a few weeks.
Is dehydrated alfalfa meal good for rabbits?
Because it is generally lower in protein and calcium and higher in fiber, grass hay (timothy, prairie, oat, brome, etc.) is recommended over legume hay (i.e., alfalfa) for mature pet rabbits.
What is a bunny’s favorite treat?
Some of their favorites are radishes and their green tops, bell peppers, leafy greens (basil, cilantro, romaine, frisee, watercress, dandelion greens), pumpkin , and more. For more information, check out The House Rabbit Society’s rabbit food ideas on their site.
What is rabbits favorite food?
Rabbits love vegetables and they are good for them. Stay away from potatoes, beans, nuts, seeds, and corn to avoid digestive problems. Once they’ve committed to eating their daily hay, your rabbit will be ecstatic to eat green, leafy vegetables like lettuce and escarole.
What greens can rabbits eat daily?
- Feed a variety of greens daily – ideally 5-6 different types, such as cabbage, kale, broccoli, parsley and mint.
- Introduce new types of greens gradually, in small amounts, to avoid potential stomach upsets.
Will rabbits stop eating when full?
When Does a Rabbit Stop Eating? Your rabbit will stop eating when it’s satiated or during rest However, it’s important to keep in mind that it’s normal for rabbits to eat numerous times throughout the day.
Can you overfeed a rabbit?
Rabbits have sensitive digestive systems. Overeating can cause obesity and digestive problems which could lead to death A rabbit’s diet should consist of 85% grass hay, such as meadow, timothy, or orchard hay. The rest of the diet should be fresh vegetables, fruit, and pellets.
How do I know if my rabbit is eating enough?
- Too much sugar.
- Poor quality hay.
- Too many fresh veggies.
- Too much protein.
- Not enough fiber.
Can a rabbit live off hay pellets?
Yes, pellets are part of a rabbit diet too It’s possible to feed a non-pelleted diet, but this requires a careful balance of nutrient sources from many types of veggies and hay. Most rabbit owners prefer to provide a pelleted food in addition to the hay and vegetables their rabbit eats. Pellets are made from hay.
How long can rabbits eat alfalfa?
While still nursing, Alfalfa Hay should be introduced starting at about three weeks and should continue until about six months of age. Alfalfa Hay contains high protein, fiber and calcium. Plenty of good fresh Alfalfa Hay should be fed to a young rabbit daily along with vegetables and pellets in small amounts.
How much alfalfa hay should I feed my rabbit?
We aren’t saying don’t feed it, but your rabbits, even youngsters, shouldn’t have it as a replacement for grass hay, but rather as a supplement to grass hay (or grass) which should be available at all times. A small handful 3-4 times a week is plenty.
What helps a rabbit gain weight?
One of the most common ways to help a rabbit gain weight is to give them unlimited pellets , and watch them fatten up that way.
What food makes rabbits fat?
Wheat grass, carrot tops, collard greens, parsley and radish tops are just a few veggies your rabbit can munch on. Avoid feeding too much kale. Fruit should be fed to bunnies sparingly. One to 2 tablespoon of fresh fruit for every 5 pounds of body weight is all she needs.
Sources
https://www.rabbitrr.org/food.html
https://rabbittalk.com/threads/rabbit-pellets-vs-alfalfa-pellets.15720/
https://www.petmd.com/rabbit/nutrition/evr_rb_what-do-you-feed-a-rabbit