Feeding Rabbits
The health of your rabbit can often depend entirely on the food they are being fed. Incorrect diet can cause the below problems:
- Gut stasis
- Fly strike
- Diarrhoea
- Obesity
- Dental disease
What is considered the correct diet for a rabbit?
Although wild rabbits and pet rabbits are the same species, their diets are different.
Wild rabbits mainly eat grass and hay which is high in fibre with a moderate level of protein whereas pet rabbits are mainly fed a diet made up of commercial rabbit food which you can buy in pet shops and most supermarkets. Commercial diets are high in carbohydrate but low in fibre.
The correct diet to be feeding would be one made up of high fibre. Grass and hay make up a large portion of this, but vegetables are also just as important.
However, there are some commercial rabbit foods out there which provide a high fibre diet.
Providing your rabbit with unlimited hay and grass can help to ensure they are getting enough fibre in their diet. Grass from your garden can also be fed daily to your rabbit but it’s important to ensure they are not being fed lawn mower clippings.
Vegetables which are good to give to your rabbit include:
- Carrots
- Sweetcorn
- Broccoli
- Celery
Kale and dandelions should be fed in moderations due to them containing high levels of calcium – these must not be given to rabbits who have urinary problems.
FAST FACTS:
- A rabbit’s diet is made up of about around 75-80% fibre
- Rabbits should always have access to hay
- Grass is more nutritious than hay
If you don’t have a garden, be mindful not to pick grass where dog/cats may be walking and urinating on to. You can buy indoor plants which grow grass which may be an idea worth considering if you live on an upper floor/flat with no garden access.
Important:
If you have noticed that your rabbit hasn’t eaten for more than 12 hours, you need to visit your veterinary practice and seek medical attention immediately. If rabbits are not eating beyond this time, they are at a high risk of developing gut stasis, which can be fatal.
What is gut stasis?
This is when the rabbit’s digestive system slows down or stops. Bacteria builds up in their gut causing gas, bloating and pain.
Whilst awaiting medical attention, try and encourage your rabbit to drink, syringe feed with food recommended by your vets, encourage them to exercise and massage their stomach. If you rabbit will agree to eat a little bit, offer them greens such as lettuce and celery which have a high-water content.
