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.
Do rabbits need a food bowl?
Rabbit’s only need a very limited amount of pellets , most rabbit food dishes can hold several times the amount of pellets a rabbit should eat so don’t get a big bowl if you feel it will guilt you into topping it up too much. If you want to feed fresh vegetables in a bowl, a wide/shallow dish or plate works best.
What do rabbits need in their pellets?
A good quality rabbit pellet should have at least 22% crude fiber, no more than approximately 14% protein, about 1% fat and about 1.0% calcium.
What type of food bowl is best for rabbits?
- Kaytee Rabbit Food Bowl / Bin – Best Overall
- Park Life Designs Paris Ceramic – Best Value
- STAYbowl Tip-Proof Rabbit Food-Bowl
- Ware Slide-N-Lock Bunny Food Bowl
- Living World Ergonomic Rabbit Bowls
- Kaytee Paw Print Small Animal Food Bowl
- Oxbow No Tip Bunny Food Bowls
- Kaytee Vege-T-Bowl.
What veggies can bunnies eat everyday?
- Bell peppers.
- Bok choy.
- Brussels sprouts.
- Carrot tops.
- Cucumber.
- Endive.
- Escarole.
- Fennel.
How many times a day should I feed my rabbit?
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.
What can rabbits drink besides water?
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.
Can bunnies drink tap water?
Is tap water safe for rabbits? Yes, where tap water is safe for humans to drink it is also safe for rabbits However, in some areas tap water can smell quite strongly of the chemicals used to keep it free from bacteria, particularly chlorine. This can be off-putting for some rabbits.
Do bunnies need water at night?
As long as she is still drinking at least some water, your pet is safe. The 24-hour rule is still in full effect during winter, though. Rabbits still need water when it’s cold outside Your pet will grow dehydrated without it.
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.
Can rabbit survive 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.
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.
How do you litter train a bunny?
- Fill the bottom of the litter box with a layer of pellets – about an inch deep
- Place the litter box in a corner of your rabbit’s cage
- Keep your rabbit in her cage until she’s using her litter box reliably
- When she’s ready, let your rabbit have time out of her cage.
How do you get a rabbit to drink from a water bowl?
- Let them choose their water source.
- Provide Clean Water in a Clean Bowl/Water.
- Leave Water on Their Daily Greens.
- Put Fragrant Greens in their Water Bowl.
- Add a Few Drops of Unsweetened Juice.
- Use Bottled or Filtered Water.
- Serve Water at Room Temperature.
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.
How much lettuce should a rabbit eat a day?
Fresh vegetables, such as lettuce, should not amount to more than 10% of your rabbit’s daily food intake. The recommended daily amount is 2 cups of vegetables for every 6 lbs. of body weight Wash the lettuce, shred the leaves, and mix them with other vegetables.
How old do bunnies 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 do bunnies like to play with?
Objects to play with or throw – such as untreated straw, wicker, sea-grass mats and baskets, balls and plastic flower pots Solid plastic baby toys such as ‘key rings’, rattles, stacking cups and some robust cat and parrot toys can make good rabbit toys.
What do rabbits sleep on?
Hay. Most bunnies will sleep on hay Be careful as they may confuse their bedding with litter.
Can bunnies drink milk?
You should not give rabbits milk to drink Adult rabbits are lactose intolerant and milk products are bad for the rabbit’s digestive system. Baby rabbits should also not have cow’s milk because it is very different from the milk they get from their mothers.
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.
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 big should a rabbits water bowl be?
Size. You’ll need a bowl that provides plenty of water for your rabbit, but you don’t want to take up too much of their living space. You can choose from sizes between 6 ounces and 20 ounces for rabbit bowls, but we’d suggest something between 6 and 10 ounces for most.
Why does my rabbit keep spilling his water?
Boredom might be the reason why! Rabbit’s will often turn their water or food bowls over because they are bored and want to play with something A lightweight plastic water dish or food bowl is easily picked up with their teeth and tossed.
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.
What can I feed my rabbit if I run out of food?
- Dandelion Leaves.
- Broccoli.
- Collard Greens.
- Beet Greens.
- Romaine Lettuce.
- Spinach.
- Kale.
- Mint.
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.
Should rabbits be covered at night?
In the daytime, keep the front of the hutch uncovered for ventilation purposes. It is fine to cover more of the hutch during the night but you should still leave a small area open for ventilation Add extra bedding for your bunny to snuggle into.
Can I leave my rabbit alone for 2 days?
Rabbits are not particularly independent, so they can’t be left on their own for more than two days However, if it’s just a weekend or a working day, we can make sure they get everything they need, so we can spend time away from home without worrying too much about their health.
How often should you clean a 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.
Can a rabbit take a bath?
Submerging a rabbit in a bath will upset the rabbit , and its natural instinct is to leave the bath. Forcing it to stay in water cause, at best, will cause stress and anxiety. At worst, it can lead to injury and death. Rabbits are self-cleaning animals and do not need to be bathed.
Why do rabbits lick me?
Licking: Licking is a way bunnies groom each other. If your bunny licks you, it’s a sign of affection as you’ll often see pairs of bunnies grooming each other this way. A bunny lick is a sign of a bond.
Can I give my rabbit beer?
They aren’t supposed to drink the beverage , as it contains alcohol, and because it is acidic they cannot drink it. There is a great risk of them being killed by it.
How do I know if my rabbit is happy?
- Lie down with a relaxed body.
- Lie down with a stretched body, still relaxed.
- Lie down with a fully extended body, still relaxed.
- Jumping into the air all 4 paws off the ground.
- Have a healthy appetite.
- Calm and quiet.
- Inquisitive.
Can bunnies have watermelon?
Yes! Rabbits can eat watermelon – and most will do so with surprising gusto! It’s no great secret that all rabbits have quite a sweet tooth… And the rich, succulent flesh of a watermelon is a treat they’ll surely enjoy. As much as most rabbits love watermelon, it’s not a particularly nutrient dense food.
Can you overfeed bunnies?
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.
Do rabbits have periods?
Rabbits do not menstruate If unspayed females start passing blood, they can bleed to death within a few days. Blood in the urine can also be a sign of bladder stones. If a bunny is not feeling well, or if it is obese and has soft poop, then it will not groom itself well in its genital and tail region.
Do rabbits cry?
Rabbits cry when they are in pain, scared, or about to die Also, baby rabbits (kits) cry when they are starving. Even though rabbits make crying noises, they don’t produce any tears. If your rabbit’s eyes are wet or weeping, she may have a dental disease, allergies, or an infection.
Do rabbits get cold at night?
Rabbits are cold weather animals They’re highly temperature resistant, and can handle temperatures down to almost 30 o F (-2 o C). With a well-insulated hutch, they’ll be fine even in near-freezing conditions. You can always check by measuring their temperature – which should be between 101-103 o F (38-39.5 o C).
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.
Can rabbits eat grapes?
White and red grapes can be fed to your rabbit as a treat, on occasion Most rabbits will love the sweet taste. They are a great treat to use for training and bonding. Feed your rabbit fresh (not dried) grapes that have been washed.
Do baby rabbits like to be held?
Yes, some rabbits are miracle bunnies who just love being cuddled from day one , but the average rabbit is much more aloof. It can take months before a new rabbit warms up to his owner. Rabbits are prey animals and very independent, and even after a rabbit settles in, he may never enjoy being cuddled like a puppy would.
References
http://www.therabbithouse.com/equipment/rabbit-food-bowl.asp
https://bunssb.org/bunnies/how-choose-rabbit-pellets
https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/petsmart-vs-petco.16767/