Mmmmmmm!

While rabbits are often portrayed eating juicy carrots or big lettuces, this isn’t all that they eat.

In fact, rabbits have a very delicate digestive system that can very easily get upset by eating the wrong things. In the wild, rabbits evolved in areas with lots of low-quality vegetation. They had to spend a lot of time eating and have a digestive system that gets the absolute maximum out of all they eat. Your pet rabbits will be similar and should be fed mainly grass and hay.

A good diet is key to rabbit health

These are pre-made solutions which contain everything your rabbit needs in terms of nutrition and vitamins. Young rabbits, i.e. younger than five months old, grow fast and will need to be fed twice a day, after that once a day will be just fine. The amount you feed your rabbits is in part common sense, as it will vary a lot from breed to breed. If your rabbit seems to be getting a little chubby, cut back on the food, if your rabbit tries to eat your hand whilst you're placing down their food, you may want to give them a little more to eat.

There is, however, a downside to these mixes. Whilst they may look more interesting than the pellets, some rabbits may be a little bit fussy and not eat everything, leaving them deficient in certain vitamins and minerals. If you notice that this is the case, it will be a better idea to switch to pellets to ensure that your rabbit is getting all the nutrients they need.

Refrain from buying food mixes made for other animals, that hamster mox may look tastier but it could be lacking in key nutrients. The wrong food can cause your rabbit some serious problems.

Even if you are using a “complete mix”, it will still be a good idea to provide them with some hay. Hay provides the fibre that your rabbits need. Make sure that you have a plentiful supply of fresh hay for your bunnies to gorge om. Unless you can get hay from a local farm or a friend, it will be best to buy it in a pet store, usually they are packaged in mini bales or “pillows” for your convenience.

Every living being on earth needs water, rabbits are no exception to this rule. Try to make sure that you are giving your rabbits fresh, clean water every couple of days or so. When winter comes, be sure to check that the water hasn’t frozen over. It may be a good idea to keep the water bowl indoors during the winter months. If your rabbits get dehydrated they will be more susceptible to the cold.

Rabbits absolutely love their greens. You can add things such as broccoli, kale, and fresh herbs to their diet but do so one at a time. Too many items on the menu will confuse the rabbits digestive system and could lead to problems. Rabbits shouldn’t be fed lettuce or other vegetables like cucumber and tomatoes. Keep in mind that grass and hay should form the majority of their diet. Any changes to the rabbits diet should be done so slowly.

Although it may seem disgusting, your rabbit will often eat some of its own poop. This is a natural instinct and a key part of their diet. The food that a rabbit eats goes through two stages of digestion. If you inspect what is coming out of the rear-end of your rabbits, you may notice that there are two different kinds of pellets. One is round and quite dry, this is their poop. The other type is known as a caecotroph and is actually the result of the first stage of digestion. These pellets contain a lot of nutritional goodness that your rabbit will eat to get the absolute maximum out of their food.

As with people, a lot of rabbits have a sweet tooth. Even though it can seem kind to give them treats, beware because they can get fat quickly. Avoid human treats like sweets and cookies, as these can be very dangerous.