FEEDING
- Bunnies under 6 months of age should not be fed anything other than hay and pellets. They have a very delicate digestive system. Changes should be introduced slowly and NO treats, fruits, or vegetables until they are at least 6 months old.
HAY
- 85% of a rabbit's diet should be hay/grass and bunnies should have hay to eat at all times. Unlimited access to fresh hay is critical for your bunny's well-being. Timothy hay is preferred due to its high fiber content which is essential for digestive and dental health. There are other grasses, like Orchard or Meadow, which bunnies can eat, but Timothy hay is the best and the one I recommend.
- You should not feed your bunnies alfalfa hay! Bunnies love this rich, legume hay and it is safe for them to eat but it is very high in protein and calcium and should only be given in moderation. Since most rabbit pellets contain alfalfa already, no additional alfalfa hay should be given in addition to pellets. Use a hay with a higher fiber content to balance out your bunny's diet.
- Ensure the hay is kept clean and dry and is free from mold, dust, or chemicals.
- Choose a hay that is 100% natural and is free from additives or preservatives.
- With hay, Timothy hay specifically, there are multiple harvests or "cuts" every season. Each cut represents a different point in the hay's maturity, and each has different nutritional and textural profiles. There are three different cuts of Timothy hay available:
PELLETS:
- While 85% of your bunny's diet should be hay, a good quality pellet is crucial to make sure all of your bunny's nutritional needs are met.
- Avoid pellets with seeds, nuts, colored pieces, or artificial preservatives
- Younger rabbits, up to about 8 months of age, have different nutritional requirements than adult rabbits. Be sure to use pellets designed for young rabbits as adult formulas won't meet their developmental needs.
-I feed my baby bunnies 4-6 ounces of Kalmbach Best-in-Show 18% protein pellets a day. I give a transition bag of food with all my bunnies. Transitioning should be done slowly over a few weeks as bunnies have very sensitive G.I. systems.
- Transitioning pellets:
WATER:
- Rabbits should have access to clean water at all times.
-Our bunnies are used to drinking out of water crocks or bowls and they do not know how to use a dripper bottle. I do not recommend using dripper bottles for rabbits.
- Water bowls support a rabbit's natural drinking behavior and allows them to drink more efficiently.
- Amazon sells a variety of water bottles with a bowl type dispenser. Do a search for "rabbit water bottle with bowl" and you will see a bunch of different options available. Key things to look for:
Amazon.com : kathson Rabbit Water Bottle, 17oz Hanging Water Fountain Automatic Dispenser No Leak WaterFeeder for Bunny Chinchilla Guinea Pig Hedgehog Ferret : Pet Supplies
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES:
- DO NOT FEED YOUR BUNNY ANYTHING BUT HAY AND PELLETS FOR THE FIRST 6 MONTHS!
- Your bunny's main diet should be unlimited hay, appropriately portioned amount of pellets, and fresh water.
- Once full-grown, your bunny can have the occasional treat.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables are a great treat option for your bunny and are better than the "rabbit treats" you get from the pet store. You can even make your own rabbit treats which is a fun thing my kids and I like to do with the hay fines left at the bottom of our tub and the bunnies love them!
- Fresh foods and/or treats should only be given sparingly and in moderation!
- DO NOT EVER FEED YOUR BUNNY ICEBURG LETTUCE!
- Organic or homegrown, pesticide free foods should always be used.
- A Google search will give you a list of bunny safe foods, but here are a few examples:
HAY
- 85% of a rabbit's diet should be hay/grass and bunnies should have hay to eat at all times. Unlimited access to fresh hay is critical for your bunny's well-being. Timothy hay is preferred due to its high fiber content which is essential for digestive and dental health. There are other grasses, like Orchard or Meadow, which bunnies can eat, but Timothy hay is the best and the one I recommend.
- You should not feed your bunnies alfalfa hay! Bunnies love this rich, legume hay and it is safe for them to eat but it is very high in protein and calcium and should only be given in moderation. Since most rabbit pellets contain alfalfa already, no additional alfalfa hay should be given in addition to pellets. Use a hay with a higher fiber content to balance out your bunny's diet.
- Ensure the hay is kept clean and dry and is free from mold, dust, or chemicals.
- Choose a hay that is 100% natural and is free from additives or preservatives.
- With hay, Timothy hay specifically, there are multiple harvests or "cuts" every season. Each cut represents a different point in the hay's maturity, and each has different nutritional and textural profiles. There are three different cuts of Timothy hay available:
- First cut - coarser and higher in fiber but tougher to eat
- Second cut - softer and leafier and preferred choice for bunnies
- Third cut - very soft and very high in protein and should only be fed in limited quantities
PELLETS:
- While 85% of your bunny's diet should be hay, a good quality pellet is crucial to make sure all of your bunny's nutritional needs are met.
- Avoid pellets with seeds, nuts, colored pieces, or artificial preservatives
- Younger rabbits, up to about 8 months of age, have different nutritional requirements than adult rabbits. Be sure to use pellets designed for young rabbits as adult formulas won't meet their developmental needs.
-I feed my baby bunnies 4-6 ounces of Kalmbach Best-in-Show 18% protein pellets a day. I give a transition bag of food with all my bunnies. Transitioning should be done slowly over a few weeks as bunnies have very sensitive G.I. systems.
- Transitioning pellets:
- Start with 3-parts Kalmbach pellets with 1-part new pellets.
- After a week, go half and half.
- After a week of half and half, go to 3-parts new with 1-part Kalmbach. Continue this ratio for about another week or until you run out of the transition pellets.
WATER:
- Rabbits should have access to clean water at all times.
-Our bunnies are used to drinking out of water crocks or bowls and they do not know how to use a dripper bottle. I do not recommend using dripper bottles for rabbits.
- Water bowls support a rabbit's natural drinking behavior and allows them to drink more efficiently.
- Amazon sells a variety of water bottles with a bowl type dispenser. Do a search for "rabbit water bottle with bowl" and you will see a bunch of different options available. Key things to look for:
- Made of non-toxic materials
- Stable or heavy to prevent spills
- Easy to clean
- No nozzle, nipple, or dripper
- Good fit for your rabbit enclosure
Amazon.com : kathson Rabbit Water Bottle, 17oz Hanging Water Fountain Automatic Dispenser No Leak WaterFeeder for Bunny Chinchilla Guinea Pig Hedgehog Ferret : Pet Supplies
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES:
- DO NOT FEED YOUR BUNNY ANYTHING BUT HAY AND PELLETS FOR THE FIRST 6 MONTHS!
- Your bunny's main diet should be unlimited hay, appropriately portioned amount of pellets, and fresh water.
- Once full-grown, your bunny can have the occasional treat.
- Fresh fruits and vegetables are a great treat option for your bunny and are better than the "rabbit treats" you get from the pet store. You can even make your own rabbit treats which is a fun thing my kids and I like to do with the hay fines left at the bottom of our tub and the bunnies love them!
- Fresh foods and/or treats should only be given sparingly and in moderation!
- DO NOT EVER FEED YOUR BUNNY ICEBURG LETTUCE!
- Organic or homegrown, pesticide free foods should always be used.
- A Google search will give you a list of bunny safe foods, but here are a few examples:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Kiwi
- Watermelon
- Basil
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Mint
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Dill
- Romaine Lettuce
- Green or Red Leaf Lettuce
- Butter Lettuce
- Celery
- Arugula
- Kale
- Watercress
- Spinach