A rabbit’s diet should be made up of good quality pellets ,
fresh hay
(timothy, other grass hays, or oat hay), water and fresh vegetables. Anything beyond that is a “treat” and should be given in limited quantities.
Should I feed my rabbit hay or pellets?
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.
Is timothy hay pellets good for rabbits?
Our favorites include the Oxbow brand healthy urinary treats to keep their bladder and
overall digestion healthy
. Many rabbits also like timothy hay cubes (not alfalfa hay), which make a good treat.
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.
Should rabbits eat pellets everyday?
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.
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.
How do you feed rabbit 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.
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.
How much hay should a rabbit eat per day?
A healthy rabbit’s diet should consist of unlimited amounts timothy and other grass hays , 1-3 cups of
fresh leafy greens
daily, and only about 1/8-1/4 cup of quality timothy pellets for rabbits up to 5 lbs and up to 3/4 cup for rabbits up to 10 lbs. Fruits and sugary vegetables (i.e. carrots) should only be offered as.
How many pellets should a rabbit have?
Pellets. Feed your rabbits a small amount of good quality pellets or nuggets daily. Give them the right amount – measure 25g (an eggcup-full) of pellets per kg of your rabbit’s
body weight
.
How do you feed timothy hay pellets?
Usually 15-20 lbs per day of alfalfa or timothy pellets for a 1000# horse. pellets daily over 2-3 weeks. Put the pellets in a bucket, cover with warm water, and then dump them into a large muck bucket and feed immediately.
What can I feed my rabbit instead of hay?
PS: In nature the rabbits would always choose fresh leaves instead of dried ones or hay. The most time of the year fresh leaves are available, so pet owners have no need to force their rabbits to eat hay, when they eat enough fresh leave-like greens instead.
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.
Should rabbits have unlimited pellets?
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.
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.
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.
When should I stop feeding my rabbit 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.
How many pellets should I feed my 3 pound rabbit?
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.
Can hay cubes replace hay?
Forage cubes can be fed just like hay, at a 1:1 ratio of the like hay type the horse currently consumes For example, you would replace five pounds of alfalfa hay with five pounds of alfalfa cubes and adjust the amount if needed to maintain the animal’s proper weight.
Why do rabbits love pellets?
Most rabbit owners prefer to provide a pelleted food in addition to the hay and vegetables their rabbit eats. Pellets are made from hay. They are also balanced with nutrients your bunny needs that might not be in a particular bale of hay depending on where it was grown or how the weather was that season.
Can rabbits survive on timothy hay?
Timothy is a good all-around hay for the general dietary needs of bunnies It has balanced levels of protein, fat, and fiber and will help keep your bunny happy and healthy. If, for some reason, your little fuzzy refuses to eat Timothy, you could try orchard or oat hay.
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.
What is the best rabbit bedding?
We recommend a good quality soft straw as the ideal bedding for warmth and comfort, particularly for outdoor rabbits. It’s warm because the hollow strands trap warm air and it’s also absorbent. It’s important to understand the difference between hay and straw.
Can rabbits overeat hay?
It is nearly impossible for a rabbit to eat too much hay However, if a rabbit has other foods that are easier to eat available, they will typically forgo the hay in favor of these other foods. So when a rabbit is given too many pellets or sugary treats, they will end up overeating them instead of munching on hay.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
What is a 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.
Is banana good for rabbits?
Health Benefits of Bananas for Rabbits If your rabbit tolerates it, 2 tablespoons of fruit per 5 pounds of body weight, can add more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to your pet’s diet Bananas are a rich source of nutrients that rabbits require for their growth and development.
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 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.
Is grass good for rabbits?
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 happens if a rabbit doesn’t eat hay?
If your little bun is neglecting to eat their hay and not even touching their water, it may be the way you set up their cage Rabbits typically poop while eating so placing the hay rack above the litter box will positively reinforce them to eat while using the bathroom.
Citations
https://www.indianahrs.org/rabbit-care/food-pellets-hay.aspx
https://www.rabbitrr.org/food.html