Domestic Rabbits' Eating Habits

Unlike wild rabbits, domestic rabbits depend on their caretakers for a healthy, well-balanced diet. For good health, rabbits need a constant source of fresh water with fresh vegetables and high fiber daily. Properly cared for domestic rabbits live between 7 and 12 years. Contact a veterinarian if your rabbit exhibits loss of appetite, drooling, grinding teeth during meal time, passing up special treats or smaller, fewer stools.

  1. Hay

    • Domestic rabbits need a constant supply of fresh hay. The fiber in hay aids in proper digestion and decreases the risk of hairballs. Good choices include timothy, oat, brome or Bermuda grass. High in fat and calcium, alfalfa provides rich nutrients for bunnies under one year but older rabbits do better with other types of hay. Store hay in a cool, dry container. Feeding a rabbit moldy hay may cause sickness or even death.

    Fresh Vegetables

    • Rabbits need leafy, fresh vegetables every day. According to rabbitrescue.com, domestic rabbits need three different vegetables daily with a weekly rotation of alternate vegetables. This provides a rabbit with a wide range of vitamins for better nutrition. Popular rabbit vegetables include dandelion, kale, collard and mustard greens, as well as romaine, red and green lettuce. Starting a rabbit with one vegetable, in a small serving, and then, over several weeks, slowly adding in new vegetables in larger amounts helps prevents digestion problems like runny stools.

    Pellets

    • Beware of pellets containing nuts, seeds, corn or other high-fat, high-protein ingredients. Rabbit digestive systems do not process these foods well, and over time they lead to obesity and other health problems. Read product labels carefully because some pellets include the preservative BHT (ethoxyquin), a substance known to cause cancer. Look for pellets that contain no less than 20 percent fiber, no more than 14 percent protein and only 2 percent fat. Rabbitnetwork.org recommends pellets high in fiber or timothy-based.

    Treats

    • Avoid pet store rabbit treats. They generally contain too much sugar, fat and calories. Dried fruits without added sugar or sulfites, bananas in half-inch portions or thinly sliced pieces of apple make healthy treats. The high sugar in carrots also make them a treat rather than a daily vegetable selection. Other good treats include pears, strawberries, peaches and melons. Give one tablespoon of treat food for every four pounds of a rabbit's weight. Avoid all pits and seeds.