Rabbit Care Awarness Group

One of the most important things to consider when feeding your rabbit, is that bunnies have surprisingly delicate stomachs.

As your breeder, or rescue centre will point out, it is vital that you do not make sudden changes to your rabbits diet.

If  the pet shop, breeder or rescue centre do not tell you what brand of feed your rabbit has been eating, make a point to ask. You must continue to use this brand. New types of feed can be introduced, but this must be done in a controlled way, over a period of time. Gradually cut back on the established feed, adding the new brand a little at a time to allow your bunny's stomach to adapt to it at a slow pace. If your rabbit is showing signs that the new food is not agreeing with it (if it gets the runs), readjust the quantity for a few days so that more of the original food is given.

You must also consider this when you are deciding what brand of feed to give to your rabbit. Make sure it is a brand that you will always be able to get hold of in your area, as it would be disastrous for your bun if you were no longer able to find it, and didn't have sufficient supply to wean the rabbit off of it, as mentioned above.

The best kind of food you can provide your rabbit is a pellet feed. Traditional rabbit mixes should be avoided as they encourage selective feeding. This is where the rabbit picks out the tasty bits, leaving the more boring looking bits, just as a child will hide the broccoli in its dinner and eat the good stuff. But just like the child, the rabbit may be missing out on essential nutrients by feeding like this. Providing a pellet feed will eliminate this practise, ensuring your bunny gets all of the vitamins and minerals it needs to be healthy.

The gradual approach must be taken when introducing vegetables and fruit to your rabbit's diet too. Do not introduce too many different kinds of fruit and veg at one time. Start off with carrots say, small amounts and only once you are satisfied that these are having no ill effects, then you can follow this by introducing a different type of vegetable. Once you are satisfied that your rabbit can handle certain vegetables, these can be given to the rabbit every other day as a tasty treat. Fruit should be given less frequently, due to the high sugar content, but is infinitely preferable to the processed 'treats' available in pet shops, which should be fed sparingly, if at all.

Contrary to popular believe, rabbits should NOT be fed lettuce.

(NB, do not try feeding fruit and vegetables to babies under 12 weeks)

The importance of hay in a rabbit's diet should not be underestimated.

Many people provide hay purely as bedding for the rabbit. While I'm sure it is very comfortable for a bunny, your rabbit also needs to eat the stuff to survive. It is a fantastic supply of fibre for your rabbit, and helps keep its digestive system in good working order.

FRESH hay should be available at all times. I would strongly recommend providing hay from a feeder as the hay left in the hutch can get soiled. Keeping the hay in a feeder keeps it clean and your rabbit will thank you for it.

I should hope that this is very much a case of stating the obvious, but your rabbit needs fresh water at all times!

A water bottle that attaches to the side of the cage is preferable to a bowl, as it is easier to keep it clean and fresh this way.

Keep a closer eye on the water bottle in hotter weather as it may need to be filled more regularly.

Make sure you attach it securely to the cage, as if it falls off without you realising, you will have a very unhappy and thirsty bunny to deal with.

From Argent Nox Rabbitry http://www.tsukiyo.org/argent:

With water, if using a bottle, be sure to check the
stopper (the little ball inside the tube) to make sure
it has not gotten stuck. Sometimes they stick, and the
rabbit cannot get any water. Watch the water level in
a bowl or a bottle. If a rabbit starts consuming
noticeable more or less water (and there has been no
temperature change) it may be ill.

On the same note, eating less can be a sign of
something wrong. If a rabbit is not eating, it may be
ill or it may not be getting enough water (the bottle
may be blocked, etc.). Rabbits will not usally eat if
they are not properly hydrated.