Are you confused about what you should feed your rabbit? If so, you are not alone. By far the most common question we get asked is ‘what do rabbits eat?’
As a bun owner, you’re right to ask this, as diet plays a huge role in your bunny’s health. So let’s break down what you should be feeding…
Hay – about 70%
Old hay should be the foundation of your bunny’s diet. It may seem boring to us, but it is absolutely vital for three key reasons:
1. It aids digestion, keeping the inside of your bun nice and clean. This is especially crucial in the case of a long-haired variety like the angora, as a bun will naturally consume the hair while they are grooming. The hay keeps the hair moving through their intestines and bodies.
two. Constant chewing ensures that your rabbit’s teeth stay nice and short. Rabbit teeth are constantly growing and chewing hay is a natural way to grind them down.
3. Relieve boredom. Rabbits are designed to graze, to happily eat all day. Hay is low in calories, so it won’t make your bread fat, but rather give them something to pass the time. Wouldn’t it be nice if we humans could snack all day without packing on the pounds?
Feed fresh hay every day. On a practical note, it’s a good idea if you can find a way to tie the hay off the floor of the cage/floor so it stays cool. No one likes to eat food they’ve been walking on!
Green Vegetables – approximately 25%
It seems that bunny moms are just as picky as humans because ‘Eat your veggies’ applies equally to our furry friends. The key here is lots of variety, like carrots, parsley, bell peppers, spinach, dandelion leaves and flowers, watercress, celery, etc.
Feed about 1 cup of vegetables for every 3 pounds of bunny weight. Vegetables provide fiber and nutrients for your bread.
Candy – about 5%
Fruits and vegetables that are high in sugar, such as carrots (yes, really!), bananas, strawberries, apples (seedless), peaches, etc. they are ‘treats sometimes’ and should be given sparingly.
A serving of these foods would be 1 to 2 tablespoons, depending on the size of your bunny. Human foods like chocolate, cakes, and candy are definitely a no-no.