Posts Tagged ‘Rabbits’
List of Healthy Foods for Rabbits
Rabbits need a variety of foods to stay healthy. Susan A. Brown, a veterinarian at the Midwest Bird and Exotic Animal Hospital, explains that the gastrointestinal tract of rabbits allows them to live mainly on leaves and grasses. Wild rabbits can forage food to meet their needs, but pet rabbits need to have healthy foods supplied to them as part of their regular diet.
Hay
Hay is an important part of every rabbit’s diet. Pet Education indicates that rabbits should have fresh hay available around the clock. Adult rabbits need timothy or oat hay to provide roughage in their diet. This reduces the risk of developing intestinal blockages.
Rabbits younger than 7 months can have alfalfa hay, but it is not appropriate for adult rabbits because of its caloric content. According to Brown, legume hays, which are hays made from alfalfa, peas or peanuts, provide too many calories for a house rabbit and can lead to obesity.
Grass hay is nutrient-rich but lower in calories, which is more appropriate for a house rabbit’s sedentary lifestyle. Brown also advises against feeding straw to rabbits. Straw has no nutrients and can lead to malnutrition if it is used as part of the rabbit’s regular diet.
Pellets
There are two different opinions regarding the use of rabbit pellets. Pet Education indicates that juvenile rabbits under 7 months can eat unlimited amounts of rabbit pellets. They have high amounts of nutrients and help to ensure that the young rabbit gains the right amount of weight. Read the rest of this entry »



