The main
portion of a rabbit's diet should consist of a
good quality pellet. Pellets should be fresh, be
around 16% to 18% protein (depending on the breed
and the rabbit's use), and have about 18% fiber
content.
Fresh hay is
beneficial to rabbits in that it helps them
produce heat and it helps keep hairballs from
forming. Timothy, oat, or grass hay should be
used. Avoid alfalfa hay as the rabbit already gets
plenty of alfalfa in its regular pellets. Also, be
sure not to feed straw. Straw has little
nutritional value.
Rabbits enjoy treats, and they will eat most any vegetation.
However, certain treats are better than others,
and some treats can even be harmful. The best
treats are fresh fruits and vegetables such as
apple slices, baby carrots (or carrot slices),
raisins, and other such treats that are not overly
high in water content. Treats that are too watery
(melon, lettuce, etc.) can cause the rabbit to get
the runs. Other good treats are pieces of shredded
wheat, pieces of wheat bread, and dried bananas.
Fresh water should
be available to rabbits at all times. Do not rely
on moist treats to provide enough water for a
rabbit. On hot days, check the water level at
least twice a day, and it is a good idea to
replace it with cool water when you check the
level. If the water is frozen, even if the rabbit
can lick or chew on the ice, replace the ice with
fresh water. Ice does not provide enough liquid
for a rabbit.
The amount of feed
provided depends on the age and the size of the
rabbit:
Birth to three weeks
Mother's milk
Three weeks to
weaning (6 to 8 weeks)
Mother's milk and
unlimited pellets and hay
Eight weeks to
twelve weeks
Unlimited pellets and hay. Very
limited amounts of treats, being especially
careful to restrict moist treats.
Twelve weeks to
adulthood (6 to 8 months, depending on the breed)
One ounce of feed per pound of body weight is the
norm. However, some rabbits have higher or lower
metabolisms. If the rabbit feels a little thin,
increase the feed. If the rabbit feels a little
fat, decrease the feed. Provide a handful to
unlimited amounts of hay each day. A treat may be
given daily if the rabbit is used to it. If not,
build up to the point where it can have one treat
a day.
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