Diet

To have a healthy rabbit you must feed them a healthy diet! Rabbits are herbivores who must have access to an unlimited amount of hay 24/7. Types of hay that rabbits can eat include oaten hay, orchard hay and meadow hay. Timothy hay is highly recommended for rabbits over 6 months old because it is high in fibre whereas alfalfa hay is suggested for rabbits under 6 months old because it is high in calcium. Do not feed your rabbits straw as it has no nutritional value. Grass is healthy for rabbits and can be used as part of their daily greens but can not be used as a long-term substitute for hay because large amounts of grass can cause diarrhea because it contains water.

Pellets are the next most essential food in your rabbit’s diet. The pellets should be plain with no dried fruits, corn or seeds in it. Brands such as Country Vital, Sherwood, VetaFarm and Oxbow are good, but so are pet shops’ home brand pellets as long as they have no mix-ins and meet their nutritional values. Never free feed your rabbit pellets unless they are severely underweight because pellets can cause obesity if too much is fed. The amount of pellets you feed your rabbit should depend on their weight.

Daily leafy greens are important too. My rabbits love green kale, hearty cos lettuce, celery leaves and coriander. Don’t feed vegetables with a high water content or vegetables that are known to cause gas such as iceberg lettuce, broccoli and brussel sprouts. Check multiple websites before deciding if a vegetable is safe to feed and introduce new veggies slowly.

Rabbits of course love treats from time to time such as a slice of banana, carrot or berries. These should only be fed in moderation as they can cause obesity and make your rabbit unwell as they do not have the same nutritional values as their main foods.