Have you recently adopted a rabbit, or are you thinking of adopting one and want to offer it the best possible diet? Here is a little guide to understand the basis of his diet, you will see that a rabbit eats much more than carrots! Diet is the basis of one’s general health, so one must be well informed.
Hay: All-you-can-eat buffet!
Hay should be served at will. It improves gastrointestinal motility and promotes normal tooth wear. It is important to give good quality hay, containing a high level of fibers (30%), such as timothy or oat hay. Bales of hay bought from a farmer are a good economic solution. You simply need to ask for 2nd cut hay, which is richer and nutritious. Choose a well-green, dry, dust-free hay that smells good. It must not be compressed, yellow, moldy, dusty or cut into small pieces. The stems must be long and, if possible, thick.
Alfalfa hay should be avoided; alfalfa, which is richer in calcium, may lead to the formation of urinary stones.
Fruits and vegetables: Spoil it with fruits!
One cup of vegetables per kilogram of rabbit body weight should be served daily to adult rabbits. Since an average rabbit weighs about two kilos, one should usually serve two cups of fresh vegetables per day. The fruits must be served in moderation, as a treat. It is generally suggested to serve one or two tablespoon of fruit per day.
It is important to be well informed since certain fruits and vegetables can be harmful for rabbits or, when given in too large quantities, create imbalances. For information regarding fruits and vegetables to offer rabbits visit our website www.spaestrie.qc.ca, in the menu inform me click on the Rabbits tab or check out the www.ladureviedulapinurbain.com.
The feed: Delicious, but in moderation!
The recommended daily ration for adult rabbits is 25 grams of feed (approximately 1/6 cup) per kilogram of rabbit body weight. Since an average rabbit weighs about two kilos, one should usually serve 50 grams (about 1/3 cup) of feed per day. Excessive consumption of feed may lead to overweight. Meadow timothy feeds, for example Oxbow brand, are preferred over those based on lucerne.
Mixed feeds containing coloured feed, seeds, nuts, cereals, cracked maize and dried fruit are totally discouraged.
Water:
Cool water should always be available for your rabbit. Vegetables contain a lot of water, so it is normal to find that your rabbit drank less water in a day if he ate a good portion of vegetables with a high water content. A dispensing bottler of water is to be prioritized since it can stay clean longer than a simple bowl of water. If you prefer the option of a bowl, make sure it is heavy enough to prevent your rabbit form knocking over.
ATTENTION! FOODS TO AVOID;
- Legumes (peas, beans)
- Corn
- Seeds (wheat, oats, cereals, etc.)
- Bread, pasta, etc.
- Chocolate
- Salty or sweet treats
Two useful references on rabbit feeding if you want to deepen your knowledge!
- Le Centre hospitalier Vétérinaire de l’Université de Montréal
- The website; la dure vie du lapin urbain