Correct Feeding of Rabbits
Rabbits eat grass
Unfortunately it is this simple fact about rabbits that is so
frequently forgotten when we think about feeding our pet rabbits,
and which can unwittingly lead us to cause our animals such
tremendous pain and suffering.
Domestic rabbits do not differ biologically from their wild
counterparts. Therefore the diet that we choose for them should
not differ significantly from that enjoyed by their wild cousins.
Wild rabbits are designed to survive on a poor quality diet, often
living on sparce scrubland. Their teeth are therefore constantly
growing in order to survive on this poor quality vegetation.
Like their wild relatives, our pet rabbit's teeth are also
constantly growing. Because of this, they need to chew
large quantities of grass and/or hay each day to keep their teeth
filed down.
A Rabbit's diet should consist of 80% - 90% grass or hay
It is not just a matter of feeding lots of any type of food,
which could very easily result in an obese rabbit, but it is the
particular action of chewing the grass or hay that is important.
When a rabbit eats hay or grass it grinds this course food between
its back teeth which gradually wears them down. This is very distinct
from the action of eating dried food which is crushed between the teeth.
A rabbits teeth grow at a rate of 2-3mm per week. Therefore to
combat this they need to eat grass and/or hay for 6-8 hours every day.
Where a rabbit is denied access to the correct amount of grass or hay,
its teeth continue to grow until it develops sharp spurs on its back
teeth which cut in to its mouth and tongue causing painful ulcers.
Because rabbits are prey animals they won't tell their owners that
anything is wrong. The first indication that you will have that all
is not well is that your rabbit will stop eating. By the time a rabbit
stops eating it is likely that it will have been suffering in a
tremendous amount of pain for some time.
In order that the rabbits diet is formed of 80% to 90% grass and/or hay,
all other food provided should be kept to a minimum.
This applies equally to dry food. Traditionally rabbits were supplied
with a huge bowl of mixed rabbit food each day ñ it then ate the bits
it fancied (known as "selective feeding") and the owner dutifully
topped the bowl up the next day. To prevent this selective feeding,
and therefore ensure a balanced diet for our rabbits, we recommend
feeding pellets, rather than a traditional mix. We're often told
that this food looks boring which, I have to agree it does.
However, it's important to remember that the food in a traditional
mix is coloured for our benefit, not the rabbits!
Mixed feeds also often contain a high proportion of carbohydrate
and protein which fills the rabbit up and stops it foraging for hay.
It is therefore important to choose a good quality pellet food which
is high in fibre to aid digestion. These pellets should also contain
vitamin D which is needed to absorb calcium.
As a guideline, a pair of rabbits in our foster scheme are fed pellets
twice a day, in an amount to just cover the bottom of the food bowl
one pellet deep. More often than not, the rabbits will eat all the
dry food as soon as it is given, and then spend the rest of the time
snacking on hay. This also helps to alleviate boredom for rabbits
that might otherwise become destructive: a rabbit simply cannot
eat too much hay!
To ensure that fresh hay is always available we recommend the use of
hayracks, as well as using hay in litter trays, as bedding and even
as toys (a handful of hay inside a toilet roll makes a very cheap toy
for your rabbit to play with!).
"It's nice to give treats"
Like all animals (including humans!) rabbits do enjoy treats.
However these should not be given in excess as a rabbits
attention is easily taken away from hay. Small quantities of
fresh vegetables such as spring greens, fresh herbs and carrots
all make tasty treats and these are by far better for your rabbit
than many of the commercial rabbit treats found in pet shops.
You can also entertain your bun through food. For example treat
balls can be filled with pellets instead of the usual bowl, or a
carrot can be hung from the roof of your rabbits accommodation
providing both dental exercise and entertainment.
Carry on to Veterinary Care
