Types of Forages for Feeding Rabbits

Like any pets, rabbits need proper nutrition. Choosing the most well-rounded and natural diet for a pet rabbit is vital to the animal's health, mood and life span. Rabbits need water twice a day, and owners should clean food bowls and water dispensers regularly to prevent bacteria buildup. The key to a healthy diet for a rabbit is variety, as the animals need different types of forage in varying amounts.

  1. Hay

    • Hay is perhaps the most crucial item in any rabbit's diet. Owners should ensure that both young and adult rabbits have unlimited access to hay, which can be concentrated around the food bowl and spread throughout the bottom of the cage. Hay is important because it provides rabbits with fiber, which helps push hair and food through their digestive systems. Some types of hay, like alfalfa and clover hay, are appetizing to the rabbit but are too high in protein to be made available all the time. Instead of these, give rabbits fresh grass hay such as timothy, coastal, Bahia, wheat, oat or brome.

    Store Bought Food

    • Store-bought pellets are important because they provide supplemental vitamins, minerals and nutrients not available in all fresh foods. Only small amounts are required to keep rabbits healthy, so limit store-bought pellets to a maximum of 1/8 cup per day for every 5 pounds of weight. Quality pellets don't contain any nuts, seeds, brightly colored dried fruit, or other "treat" items.

    Vegetables

    • Just as if a rabbit were living in the wild, vegetables should be a large part of the animal's diet. Fresh, damp greens are vital to digestive health. Some of the most important are broccoli, kale, lettuces, carrots, spinach and herbs like dill, mint, basil and cilantro. Baby rabbits can start eating small amounts of greens when they reach two months of age. A 5-pound adult should get at least four large cups of mixed veggies each day. Wash all vegetables thoroughly to rinse off chemicals and moisten them for the rabbit to eat.

    Other Foods

    • Fresh fruit, such as apples, bananas, peaches and berries can also be fed in very limited amounts. Don't ever feed a rabbit nuts, seeds or crackers.