The House Rabbit's Diet

Having a house rabbit as a pet may be a novelty, but it comes with the same responsibilities as owning a cat or dog. Knowing what foods your rabbit should eat--and why--highlights the importance of a balanced diet. Providing your house rabbit with the foods it needs helps ensure that your furry friend stays healthy and gives you company for many years.

  1. Significance

    • The types of food you provide your house rabbit determines its overall health. Rabbits in the wild can pick and choose the foods they want, but your house rabbit is dependent on you to provide a balanced diet. Make the mistake of giving your house rabbit unlimited access to sugary fruits, it will gain excess weight. This, in turn, increases its chances of experiencing weight-related health issues, such as heart problems.

    Types

    • Give your house rabbit daily access to a well-balanced rabbit pellet food, hay, vegetables and fresh water. Use a rabbit pellet that has 18 percent protein in the form of alfalfa meal. Your house rabbit typically won't touch stale pellets, so buy them in small quantities; the House Rabbit Society suggests that you purchase no more than six weeks worth of pellets at one time to avoid this problem. Your house rabbit should enjoy carrot tops, broccoli leaves, dandelion leaves, celery, clover and green peppers.

    Considerations

    • Your house rabbit should have 24-hour access to free-choice hay--preferably timothy or alfalfa--to provide roughage and fiber. Never purchase hay that appears brown or has a stale, moldy odor. Store extra hay raised off the ground or floor to promote plenty of air flow, which minimizes possible mold problems, especially if you're storing it in a moisture-prone area, such as the garage or basement.

    Time Frame

    • According to Patricia Pope Bartlett, author of "Training Your Pet Rabbit," a rabbit can die from dehydration after being deprived water for less than 24 hours. Avoid this potential problem by giving your rabbit 24-hour access to fresh, clean water. Use a hanging water bottle or heavy-weight porcelain dish to avoid accidental water bowl tip-overs. Clean your house rabbit's water container with mild dish soap and hot water weekly.

    Treats

    • Fruits are healthy treats for your house rabbit. According to the House Rabbit Society, fruits that are acceptable for consumption by your rabbit include peaches, melons, blueberries, apples (minus seeds and stem), strawberries and oranges (minus the peel). As a general rule of thumb, provide a house rabbit between the ages of 7 months and 5 years with no more than 2 oz. of fruit per 6 lbs. of body weight. Avoid these sugary snacks for young rabbits and geriatric rabbits to minimize potential health problems.