Feeding Rabbits
The correct amount of food containing the correct balance of nutrients will ensure that you have a healthy and happy rabbit for many years.
Like us, rabbits require a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water.
Gone are the days of putting a rabbit hutch on the backyard and expecting them to keep the lawn short for you!
Dry Foods
The main part of a rabbits diet should consist of good quality rabbit pellets, several varieties of hay (lucerne, meadow and oaten), grass and clover. These should be available to your rabbit at all times – a wall rack is highly recommended as this will keep foods dry and clean.
Fresh Vegetables
You should feed your rabbit up to three fresh vegetables a day.
Suitable vegetables are: asparagus, basil, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, capsicum, carrots, celery, cucumber, dill, dandelions, parsley, spinach and zucchini.
Do NOT feed your rabbit: cabbage, cauliflower, cauliflower leaves, raw beans or rhubarb.
Fresh Fruits
Fresh Fruits are good for your rabbit in only small amounts as too much sugar can give them diarrhoea.
Suitable fruits are: apple, banana, blueberries, grapes, honeydew melon, peaches, pears, pineapple, raspberries, rock melon, strawberries, tomatoes and watermelon.
Wooden Sticks
Wooden sticks should be available to your rabbit for chewing. This helps to prevent their teeth from over-growing and is a source of environmental enrichment.
Fresh Water
Water really is the source of life and as most rabbits are kept in an enclosure you must supply them with fresh water each and every day. This is best kept in a drip feed bottle to prevent contamination.