Rabbit Food and Behavior

Many behavior issues in domestic rabbits do not develop because of foods that they eat, but because of their environment and living conditions. However, rabbits will become obese and lazy if they consume too many carbohydrates. Pellet food, fruits and any vegetables with sugar are the most common items that introduce too many carbohydrates in a rabbit. Lack of exercise resulting from obesity and laziness causes additional health problems.

  1. Food-related Issues

    • Laziness and obesity are the primary behavioral and health issues in pet rabbits linked to the type and amount of food in their diet. Pellet food is the major contributor to obesity, though excessive vegetables and fruits containing sugar add to the problem. A rabbit on a well-mixed diet of pellet food, fresh vegetables and hay is more active, alert, and inquisitive--all of which are behaviors that a healthy, happy rabbit should display.

    Pellet Food

    • Pellet foods contain high levels of protein and carbohydrates that are good for breeder rabbits that need additional proteins and carbohydrates to compensate for excessive breeding and nursing. Pet rabbits are not under such stress. Therefore, they do not require these high levels of proteins and carbohydrates. When pellet food makes up most or all of their diet, rabbits may become obese and exhibit a decline in the activity that is necessary for good rabbit health.

    Proper Diet

    • An adult rabbit from one to five years old should have a diet of no more than a half cup of pellet food and a couple tablespoons of chopped fruit per six pounds of body weight per day. Fruit should be limited because it contains sugar, a major contributor to obesity. The daily diet should include unlimited grass hay and a minimum of two cups of chopped vegetables per six pounds of body weight.

    Activity

    • Domestic rabbits originated long ago from European wild rabbits, which spend a large portion of time looking for fresh greens and digging for roots. This exercise is vital to proper digestion and health of a rabbit. Domestic rabbits do not need to search for food. Therefore, they are less active and can become lazy and bored. Even though suitable food is vital to a healthy, happy rabbit, they need a lot of exercise as well to properly digest their food. Three to five hours of exercise outside of the hutch per day provides good exercise for a rabbit.