Feeding your rabbit a balanced and nutritious diet is essential for its health and wellbeing. Here's a guide on how to feed your rabbit:
Hay: Hay should make up the bulk of your rabbit's diet, as it is high in fiber and promotes healthy digestion. Provide your rabbit with fresh hay every day, such as Timothy hay, orchard grass hay, or oat hay. Timothy hay is high in fiber and balanced in protein and calcium, it has a slightly sweet taste and coarse texture that helps with your rabbit's dental health. Orchard grass hay has similar nutritional benefits as the Timothy hay, however, it has a softer texture and a sweet aroma. And as for Oat hay, it has a higher protein content than Timothy and Orchard grass, but it's still high in fiber, it's also sweet and softer in texture. Alfalfa hay is high in calcium and protein, so it should only be given to young rabbits or pregnant or nursing rabbits.
Pellets: Pellets should make up a small portion of your rabbit's diet, as they provide essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and protein. Choose high-quality pellets that are specifically formulated for rabbits and are free from added sugar or seeds. Feed your rabbit 1/8 to 1/4 cup of pellets per day, depending on the rabbit's size, around 25g for per kg of your rabbit's body weight.
Vegetables: Vegetables should make up about 8-15% of your rabbit's diet. The majority of the vegetables should be leafy greens, such as romaine lettuce, carrot tops, red or green leaf lettuce, and cilantro. Non-leafy vegetables that are acceptable in small quantities are carrots, celery, bell pepper, cucumber, and others. Avoid iceberg lettuce or head lettuce as they're mainly water and don't offer any nutritional benefit to your rabbit.
Fruits: Fruits should only make up a small portion of your rabbit's diet, as they are high in sugar. Provide a variety of fruits, such as apples, pears, berries, and melons, and give them as occasional treats.
Water: Your rabbit should always have access to fresh, clean water. Provide bowl and change the water daily. Avoid water bottles, the bowl feels more natural to a rabbit.
Treats: Treats should be given in moderation and should not make up a significant portion of your rabbit's diet. Give treats such as small pieces of fruit or vegetables, or rabbit-safe commercial treats, such as The Warren’s treats(Coming Soon!), made with no added sugar and all natural ingredients!
In order to understand how different each rabbit's dietary needs are, please see the table below to see the recommended quantities to feed your rabbit depending on its weight.
It's important to remember that every rabbit is unique, and their dietary needs may vary. Always consult with a veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your rabbit's diet. By following these guidelines and providing your rabbit with a balanced diet, you can ensure that your furry friend stays happy and healthy.