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.
What pellets are best for rabbit?
- Kaytee Supreme Pellet Rabbit Food – Best Overall
- Sunburst Gourmet Blend Rabbit Food – Best Value
- Oxbow Garden Select Adult Rabbit Food – Premium Choice
- Kaytee Fiesta Gourmet Variety Diet Rabbit Food
- Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food
- Mazuri Timothy-Based Pellet Rabbit Food.
Do rabbits need pellets or just hay?
Rabbits should have a daily diet of mostly hay, a smaller amount of fresh vegetables, and a limited number of pellets 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.
How many pellets should a rabbit eat a day?
Many experienced rabbit veterinarians are now recommending no more than 1/8 cup of quality pellets per 5 lbs. of rabbit per day , and some even consider commercial pellets a “treat food” that can promote obesity in spayed/neutered adult rabbits.
Can a rabbit survive on just hay?
Rabbits should be fed in a way that is as close as possible to their natural diet: mostly grass or hay. In fact, rabbits could live on hay and water alone , but we recommend providing some fresh leafy vegetables and a small amount of commercial feed.
Is too much pellets bad for rabbits?
Too Many Pellets While pellets are delicious for your bun they need to be given in smaller doses. Too many pellets and not enough hay can lead to obesity You’ll want to be careful of the type of pellets you buy your bun. The pellets should be fresh and high in fiber, a minimum of 18% fiber.
How often should I feed my rabbit pellets?
Don’t overfeed pellets – one eighth of a cup for a small rabbit per day is more than adequate OR you could choose to not feed pellets at all! There are no pellets out there in the wild and rabbits do very well without them! Don’t skimp on the hay – a ball about the same size as your bunny per day is a great guide.
What kills rabbits fast?
The most commonly used rabbit poison of this type in the Bay of Plenty is Pindone , though a CSL is not required to purchase or use Pindone in a baitstation, a CSL is required if using bait-mats or hand broadcasting pindone onto the ground. These poisons are fast acting and will kill rabbits after a single dose.
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.
How do you give rabbits pellets?
Begin transitioning younger rabbits to timothy hay pellets by mixing small amounts in with their
regular food transition
your rabbit’s diet gradually to avoid digestive problems. Change the food you put out by about 10% each day. Your rabbit will adapt quickly to the new food, especially pellets.
How often should I feed my bunny?
The total amount of fresh food that you may give to your rabbit daily (once your bunny has been gradually introduced to it), is a minimum of 1 heaping cup (loosely packed), per 5 pound of body weight, given two times a day.
How many pellets should an 8 week old rabbit have?
They are still growing bunnies, so you’ll want to give them more pellets than an adult rabbit, but you’ll want to limit the amount you give them. During this transitional stage of your rabbit’s life, you’ll want to give them about ¼ cup of pellets for every 3 pounds that they weigh.
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.
Do rabbits miss their owners?
This means that yes, rabbits remember their owners If rehomed, a rabbit may be confused and disoriented by new owners for a while. As rabbits enjoy routine, a rehomed rabbit will also miss a former owner. The expressions and reactions of a previous human will be comforting.
Can 10 week old rabbits eat carrots?
Adult rabbits can happily sustain themselves on hay alone. Pellets are essential for helping a young rabbit grow, though. These should always be kept as a treat, especially fruit. Rabbits love sweet tastes, so they enjoy berries, raisins, parsnips, and carrots.
What should I feed my 8 week old rabbit?
- Birth to 3 weeks–mother’s milk (tips for orphan feeding)
- 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)
What should I not feed my rabbit?
- Yogurt Drops
- Bread, Pasta, Cookies, and Crackers
- Avocado
- Cereal
- Iceberg Lettuce
- Silverbeet
- Hamster Food
- Walnuts.
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.
How much greens should a rabbit eat?
A good rule of thumb is 1 tablespoon of non-leafy green veggies per 2 pounds of body weight per day For example, a rabbit that weighs 3 pounds should get roughly 1/8 cup (2 Tbsp) pellets, 1.5 cups leafy greens, and 1.5 tablespoons of chopped veggies (non-leafy greens).
What time should I feed my rabbit?
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.
Do rabbits overeat?
Like children, bunnies will overeat if given the chance Don’t give your rabbit unlimited pellets—he needs only 1/4 cup of pellets per 5 pounds of body weight each day.
What age can rabbits eat grass?
Baby rabbits can go on grass as soon as four weeks old At this age, they will be curious, eager to play, and can move around without help.
Can my rabbit live without pellets?
Rabbits can get by without pellets as long as hay and fresh green vegetables are given every day Avoid cereal/grain mixes (such as rabbit mix muesli) as these can encourage selective feeding, nutritional imbalance and obesity [1, 4]. Providing other objects to chew on is also a good idea.
Do rabbits need grass?
Fresh, clean drinking water and good quality hay and grass should make up the majority of your rabbits’ diet. A rabbit’s digestive system needs hay or grass to function properly so a healthy supply is extremely important. You can supplement with leafy greens and a small amount of pellets.
Is grass better than hay for rabbits?
Fresh grass is preferable, but hay is a very good substitute and it’s available all year round. You can also buy kiln-dried grass.
How often do bunnies drink water?
Your rabbits can miss a feeding sometimes, but should have a good fresh supply of water every day In fact, if you don’t give your rabbits drinking water for even one day, they could die. Rabbits often consume two to three times more water than feed.
How often should I clean my rabbit cage?
As a general rule, clean your rabbit’s hutch or cage thoroughly at least once every two weeks 1 However, your rabbit’s cage might need deep cleaning more often, depending on the size of the cage and how well your rabbit is litter-trained.
How often do bunnies poop?
Average sized bunnies will make 200-300 poops per day They should be uniform in size and shape which means rounded and pea to garbanzo sized. The size of your bunny won’t always predict the size of their poops.
What is toxic to rabbits?
Apples and pears are the most notorious examples, but the pits from apricots, peaches, plums, and mangos also contain cyanide, as do cherry pits. While the amount of cyanide contained in fruit seeds and pits is generally scant, it is best to avoid feeding them to rabbits altogether.
Do rabbits eat all day?
The rabbit digestive system is constantly moving and requires that a rabbit be munching consistently throughout the day For this reason, rabbits will have the urge to eat very frequently. If the rabbit has a healthy diet, then they will have hay available all the time to munch on for their digestive needs.
Do rabbits sleep at night?
Nope! Another question that people often ask is whether rabbits sleep mostly during the day or at night. And the answer is neither. They are crepuscular, meaning that they are most active at dusk and dawn.
Can bunnies eat bananas?
Fresh, raw bananas can be consumed safely, but only in moderation While bananas are rich in water, potassium, vitamin B6 and antioxidants, they’re also packed with starch and sugar. Too much sugar and starch in a rabbit’s diet can lead to digestive problems, an upset stomach, gas and diarrhea.
What smells do rabbits hate?
Rabbits have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find accessible food sources. You can take advantage of this trait by using scents they dislike, such as garlic, vinegar, chili powder, predator urine, sulfur, blood meal, chives, lavender, geraniums, and wax begonias.
How long does a bunny live?
Rabbits, just like other domesticated animals, have an average lifespan which can help an owner keep their bunny in optimum health in every stage of life. Unlike their wild relatives, who live for an average of one to two years, domesticated rabbits can live between eight to 12 years.
What veggies can bunnies eat everyday?
- Bell peppers.
- Bok choy.
- Brussels sprouts.
- Carrot tops.
- Cucumber.
- Endive.
- Escarole.
- Fennel.
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 do rabbits drink?
In short, water is vital Rabbits must have access to plenty of fresh water at all times. Rabbits eating lots of fresh grass and greens will drink less, whilst those eating mostly hay will drink more. Bowls are better than bottles as lapping from a bowl is more natural to rabbits.
Where do you put rabbit pellets?
Use it fresh, straight from under the hutch It does not burn plants. Use the pellets to topdress your lawn, mulch roses, vegetables, flower beds and ornamental plantings, or supercharge your compost pile and create an earthworm heaven.
Sources
https://www.indianahrs.org/rabbit-care/food-pellets-hay.aspx
http://www.disabledrabbits.com/pellets.html
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/small-animal/rabbit-shop/rabbit-food
https://rabbit.org/faq-diet/