What To Feed A Rabbit

Keep your pet rabbit healthy by feeding it a nice
mix of hay, fresh vegetables and pellets. These
three key components of a rabbit's diet will
keep its weight under control, allow for a
healthy digestive system and also leave your
rabbit full and satisfied. While many people
think that feeding a rabbit pellets is enough to
keep them healthy and happy, the truth is that
rabbits will be much healthier when also fed hay
and vegetables.

Hay is a very important part of a rabbit's diet
for a number of reasons. First of all, hay helps
a rabbit's digestive tract break down food and
vegetation by providing extra fiber. Secondly,
hay helps to wear down a rabbit's teeth, which
are constantly growing. If left unattended,
rabbit teeth can develop hooks called molar
spurs that can be very sharp and painful for the
rabbit. Give your rabbit unlimited fresh hay so
that it can graze throughout the day. Baby
rabbits should be given alfalfa, which is high
in calories and helps them to put on weight and
develop properly. As the rabbit grows, a gradual
switch to timothy, oat hay or orchard grass will
be necessary to give the rabbit the benefits of
hay without the extra calories. Hay can be
purchased at a variety of pet stores, or from
local farms. For those allergic to hay, check
for places that sell the second cutting of hay,
which is typically less coarse and contains less
seeds and stems.

A good diet is vital for rabbits, so hay can't
be the only thing your rabbit munches on. Fresh
vegetables are a great way to keep your rabbit
healthy and happy. Incorporate a mix of leafy
greens and other rabbit-friendly vegetables to
give your rabbit extra fiber and also aid in
their dental hygiene. Gradually introduce small
quantities of vegetables to your rabbit's diet
after about twelve weeks of age. After the
rabbit's digestive system is adjusted, up to 2-3
cups of vegetables can be given to the rabbit
daily. Healthy vegetables for a rabbit include
carrots, carrot tops, broccoli, turnip greens,
romaine lettuce, endive, kale and spinach. Avoid
giving your rabbit beans, cauliflower, rhubarb,
cabbage and potatoes, as these vegetables may
cause problems with digestion. If you notice any
negative reactions, such as diarrhea, with adding
vegetables, simply scale back the amount given or
try a new vegetable. Fresh fruit can be given in
moderation as a treat for your rabbit.

Eventually, the hope is that the majority of a
rabbit's diet is made up of vegetables and hay,
but giving your rabbit pellets will still most
likely be necessary throughout the rabbit's
life. Rabbit pellets are high in calories, but
they also contain much-needed nutrients.
Limiting the amount of pellets that your rabbit
gets will keep its weight in check, and also
decrease the number of health problems that your
rabbit will experience. Just like with humans,
fresh, natural food is preferred over processed
food. Pellets should contain 20-25% fiber and
about 15% non-animal based protein to be
considered a good choice for your rabbit. A
combination of hay, fresh vegetable and a small
about of rabbit pellets is the winning
combination for your rabbit's healthy diet.

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Alison Wood shares her tips for living with all
different types of pets over at her aptly named
pet blog, Pet Hooligans. To find out more about
all your favorite little hooligans and how to
increase their health and happiness, take a look
at the website today ==>
http://www.pethooligans.com/

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