What do you feed to rabbits?
Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of raising healthy and productive meat rabbits. Their digestive systems are sensitive, requiring a diet high in fiber and balanced in protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals. Understanding the key components of a meat rabbit diet and what foods to avoid is crucial for success and preventing health problems like G.I. stasis or enteritis.
- High-Quality Commercial Pellets5
Solution: Provide a balanced commercial rabbit pellet as the staple food. Explanation: Pellets are formulated to provide the core nutrients rabbits need. For meat rabbits, choose a pellet with 16-18% protein for growers and lactating does. Maintenance or non-breeding rabbits can have slightly lower…
📌 commercial4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
🛠️ Rabbit pellets, feeders
- Unlimited Grass Hay5
Solution: Offer unlimited access to good quality grass hay daily. Explanation: Hay (such as Timothy, Orchard Grass, Brome) provides essential long-strand fiber, which is critical for gut motility and dental health. It helps prevent boredom and digestive issues. Notes: Alfalfa hay is higher in…
📌 commercial / diy (if harvested)4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
🛠️ Grass hay, hay rack or feeding area
- Constant Fresh, Clean Water5
Solution: Ensure rabbits have access to fresh, clean water at all times. Explanation: Water is essential for digestion, temperature regulation, and overall health. Lack of water can quickly lead to serious health problems. Check water bottles or crocks twice daily, especially in extreme weather.…
📌 diy4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
🛠️ Water bottles or heavy crocks, water source
- Limited Leafy Greens and Vegetables4
Solution: Offer small amounts of rabbit-safe leafy greens and vegetables as supplementary treats. Explanation: Greens like romaine lettuce (not iceberg), cilantro, parsley, dandelion greens, and carrot tops can provide enrichment and supplemental nutrients. Introduce new greens slowly and one at a…
📌 diy / commercial4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
🛠️ Rabbit-safe greens/vegetables
- Avoid Harmful Foods5
Solution: Do not feed rabbits foods known to be harmful or cause digestive problems. Explanation: Avoid high-carbohydrate/high-sugar items (bread, crackers, cookies, cereals), chocolate, iceberg lettuce, avocado, rhubarb leaves, beans, nuts, seeds in excess, and most human processed foods. Sudden…
📌 diy4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
🛠️ Knowledge of safe/unsafe foods
- Maintain Dietary Consistency5
Solution: Avoid abrupt changes to the type or brand of feed pellets. Explanation: If switching feeds, do so gradually over 7-10 days, mixing increasing amounts of the new feed with decreasing amounts of the old feed to allow the rabbit's gut flora to adapt. Notes: Sudden changes are a common cause…
📌 diy4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
🛠️ Feed storage allowing gradual mixing
- Consider Supplements (Use Sparingly)3
Solution: Use supplements only when necessary and with understanding. Explanation: While a balanced pellet should provide most needs, some breeders supplement lactating does or show rabbits with items like black oil sunflower seeds (BOSS) for fat/energy or oats for carbohydrates. These should be…
📌 commercial4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
🛠️ Supplements like BOSS or oats (optional)