Mary Jensen 
Proper nutrition is the key to a rabbit’s health and well-being. These animals require a balanced diet that takes into account their digestive characteristics. We will tell you what types of feed to include in their diet, in what quantities, and what foods to strictly avoid.
Why it is important to feed rabbits properly
At first glance, it seems that rabbits only need grass and water. But in winter, when there is no fresh greenery, you have to switch to hay and root vegetables, as well as introduce grains and ready-made mixtures. At the same time, their delicate gastrointestinal tract can easily be upset: an excess of carbohydrates disrupts the balance of “good” bacteria, and a lack of fiber leads to food stagnation. Avoid sudden changes — introduce new foods gradually.
How digestion works in rabbits
- Constant intake of fiber. Their digestive tract is not well suited to infrequent meals: food moves through the intestines only when a new portion is mechanically “loaded.”
- Teeth grinding. Their incisors grow throughout their lives, so rabbits need to chew a lot of roughage (grass and hay) — otherwise their teeth will overgrow.
- The role of bacteria. Special microorganisms break down cellulose only in an alkaline environment, which is created by fiber-rich food.
- Water requirements. An adult rabbit needs approximately 130 ml per kilogram of body weight per day. In hot weather or when using dry food, the amount of liquid should be increased.
How often and how much to feed
- Roughage (hay and grass) should be available in the feeder at all times.
- Give adult rabbits an additional portion of vegetables or grain three times a day, and young rabbits four to six times a day.
Approximate daily norms for an adult rabbit:
- fresh grass — about 600–800 g;
- hay — 200–300 g;
- various vegetables — 150–300 g;
- grains and seeds — up to 100 g;
- compound feed — 80–200 g;
- concentrated mixtures (oilcake, meal) — 30–50 g.
In winter, part of the grass is replaced with root vegetables and grass pellets from a pet store.
4 categories of permitted feed
Grass and hay
The basis of the diet (70–80%) is cereals and legumes: oats, wheat, rye, peas, lentils, alfalfa. Additionally, leaf lettuce (except iceberg), dill, parsley, mint, thyme, and other greens are given. Wild chamomile, clover, dandelion, plantain, and couch grass are also suitable. Only dry grass is placed in the feeder to prevent fermentation.
Vegetables
Rabbits eagerly eat carrots, zucchini, pumpkin, beets, and Jerusalem artichokes. Cabbage (white, broccoli, cauliflower) should be introduced carefully and in small doses to avoid gas formation.
Grains and seeds
Wheat, barley, corn, oats, and sunflower seeds (raw, unsalted). The best option is crushed or flattened seeds, so that the grain is easier to digest.
Tree and shrub branches
Thin fresh or slightly dried twigs of apple, pear, cherry, plum, as well as willow, birch, oak, linden, and alder trees. Raspberry, currant, and mulberry branches are suitable as a treat. Bark and branches are used as a supplement, but not as a staple food.
What is strictly prohibited
- Raw potatoes and their leaves;
- Raw legumes (beans, peas, soybeans);
- Onions, garlic, and bulbous plants;
- tomato tops, rhubarb;
- iceberg lettuce (other lettuces can be given in small amounts);
- bread, pastries, chips, and other “human” snacks;
- sweets, chocolate;
- dairy products;
- avocados, nuts;
- raw or damp grass (dry the greens after rain).
Useful recommendations
- Introduce new foods gradually, observing the reaction: changes in stool or behavior signal problems.
- Monitor the rabbit’s weight: obesity leads to diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
- Change the water regularly and keep the water bottle clean.
- During the breeding seasons (spring/fall), add minerals and vitamins as recommended by a specialist.
By following these simple rules, you will provide your pet with a healthy, tasty, and varied diet!
