Feeding your bunny
edited by Susan Horton, DVM
What should I feed my bunny?
Plenty of exercise and a proper diet will help keep your rabbit happy and healthy for life!
A rabbit is a lagomorph, not a rodent. His or her digestive tract is physiologically more
similar to that of a horse than to any other animal. Here are the most important dietary
items.
1. HAY-Such as Timothy or Orchard grass
The single most important item of the rabbit diet is grass hay and it should be fed in
unlimited quantities to both adults and baby rabbits. This is because a rabbit fed
only commercial rabbit pellets does not get enough fibre to keep the digestive tract
(intestine, caecum, colon) in good working order. The fibres in the hay ensure good
gut motility. They also aid in caecal digestion by maintaining a good caecal pH and
providing surface area for the caecal bacteria to attach to. This helps prevent
intestinal impactions, which are actually a symptom of slowed gut motility. This
condition is known as GI stasis (ileus). It is very common in poorly fed rabbits, and
can be life-threatening if left untreated! It also serves as forage material to prevent
boredom and behavioural problems such as fur chewing. Dental exercise and optimal
dental wear are provided by good grass hay diets.
2. PELLETS
When we say pellets, we mean pellets – NOT those dangerous seed/nut/pellet/fruit
“gourmet” and “treat” mix products which can eventually KILL YOUR RABBIT. A food
quality rabbit pellet should have at least 20% crude fibre, no more than 14% protein,
and no more than 2% fat. Check the label on the rabbit pellets before you buy.
Baby rabbits should be fed unlimited pellet, but by the age of eight months, feed no
more than ¼ cup per day for every five pounds of rabbit to avoid obesity and
avoidance of hay. For adult rabbits, we recommend a timothy hay based pellet.
3. FRESH VEGETABLES
These are as important as hay in maintaining a healthy intestine. Try Romaine
lettuce, parsley, carrots (with tops!), endive, escarole, dill, basil, mint, cilantro,
cilantro, tomato, and any other dark green leafy herb that appeals to you and you
bunny. Experiment and see which types your rabbit likes best! Baby rabbits should
start receiving greens very gradually at the age of about three months. Add one
item at a time, and if you see no intestinal upset, add another. A five pound adult
rabbit should receive at least four heaping cups of fresh, varied vegetables per day.
Serving them wet adds important liquid to the diet, which helps keep intestinal
contents well hydrated and moving easily.
4. FRESH FRUIT
These are considered treats, and should be fed in very limited quantities (no more
than one tablespoons a day for a five pound rabbit!). Good choices are apple,
apricot, banana (rare treat!), cherries, mango, peach, plum, papaya, pineapple,
berries…just about any fruit you would like is okay for your bunny. Just don’t overdo
it, as this can cause an imbalance of the caecal flora and runny stool.
Listed below are some nutritious foods for you to incorporate into your family member’s
diet. Nutrition plays a major role in the health and longevity of any animal. Keep in
mind that moderation and variety are the keys to offering a complete, well-balanced
diet.
Vegetable/Fruit
Calcium
Vitamin A
Swiss chard
Excellent
Excellent
Endive
Good
Good
Escarole
Good
Good
Dandelion greens
Good
Excellent
Beet greens
Good
Excellent
Cilantro
Poor
Good
Parsley
Poor
Good
Mache
Poor
Good
Cress
Poor
Good
Romaine
Poor
Fair
Boston
Poor
Fair
Carrot
Poor
Good
Yam
Poor
Good
Pumpkin
Poor
Good
Papaya
Poor
Good
5. PLENTY OF FRESH, CLEAN WATER
This may be the most important, yet most commonly overlooked item in the rabbit’s
diet. Keeping the intestinal contents well hydrated ensures that they do not become
impacted, and helps the intestinal muscles push food through at a healthy rate. A
rabbit can drink from a sipper bottle, but will usually drink more if offered water in a
heavy ceramic crock. Be sure to wash and change the bowl daily!
…but don’t feed these potentially dangerous treats!
NEVER feed your rabbit commercial “gourmet” or “treat” mixes filled with dried fruit
nuts and seeds. These may be safe for a bird or hamster ---BUT THEY ARE NOT
PROPER FOODS FOR A RABBIT!!! Unlike a human or a rodent (rat or hamster), a
rabbit is a strict herbivore. The high fat and simple carbohydrate content of these
“gourmet” products will give your rabbit fatty liver disease and can contribute to
severe intestinal disorders
Also avoid iceberg lettuce, cruciferous vegetables, cookies, crackers, nuts, seeds,
sugary snacks, breakfast cereals, (including oatmeal or any other “high fibre” cereal
– they are not high fibre to a rabbit!) or other starchy snacks. These promote
obesity and liver disease. Love your companion rabbit. Feed her a proper diet and
she will reward you with good health and love.