Food for Tame Rabbits

Tame rabbits are herbivores and need to have natural vegetation in their diet daily. This is important for their hair, teeth, fur and organs. Without the proper nutrition, a rabbit will develop health problems such as obesity and overgrown teeth. To ensure that your rabbit is getting everything it needs, offer it an unlimited amount of water and a variety of foods.

  1. Vegetables

    • Vegetables are very nutritious and very important for an adult or young rabbit's diet. Fresh vegetables should be washed and cut before serving. Green leafy vegetables are the best for your rabbit, along with carrots, tomatoes and mint. Vegetables can be given every day more than once. Introduce new vegetables gradually. Be sure to remove old or uneaten vegetables from the cage.

    Fresh Fruits

    • Rabbits love to eat fresh fruit but it isn't recommended regularly. Rabbits should receive fresh fruit as a reward or treat for special occasions, training and good behavior. Bananas, apples, apricots, cherries, mangoes, plums and papayas are great. Wash fruit thoroughly for pesticides, and cut appropriately.

    Hay

    • Hay is an essential part of your rabbit's diet. Hay is rich in fiber and works to strengthen the intestinal muscles a rabbit uses to digest food. Fresh grass hays such as brome, coastal and oat will work. Bales of these can be purchased at nurseries and pet stores. Avoid alfalfa and clover hay. These may be tasty but have too much protein and calcium, which can be harmful to rabbits.

    Rabbit Pellets

    • Rabbit pellets need to be provided daily, however they shouldn't be a rabbit's only source of food. Each rabbit should be offered 1/8 cup of rabbit food for every 5 lbs. of body weight. Look for foods that don't contain artificial coloring or flavoring. Avoid pellets that contain seeds and starches also. Crude protein, calcium and fiber are important in moderation.