How to Feed Rabbits Black Oil Sunflower Seeds

Providing proper care to pet rabbits requires feeding them a balanced and nutritious diet. Putting together a diet that includes all of the nutrients a rabbit needs means including a variety of foods from a variety of different sources. Black oil sunflower seeds are one such food. These seeds contain important essential fatty acids that help rabbits to maintain healthy body temperatures and grow shiny coats.

Things You'll Need

  • High-quality pelleted rabbit diet
  • Measuring cup
  • Black oil sunflower seeds
  • Measuring spoon
  • Hay
  • Rabbit treats with black oil sunflower seeds
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Instructions

    • 1

      Feed rabbits a high-quality, well-balanced pelleted rabbit food each day.This food provides the rabbits with a sound nutritional base, providing most all of the required nutrients in one meal. Young rabbits need 1/2 cup pelleted food daily for every 5 lbs. of body weight, while adult rabbits need 1/4 cup daily per 5 lbs. of body weight.

    • 2

      Supplement the diet with black oil sunflower seeds. Mix up to 1 tablespoon of black oil sunflower seeds into the pelleted food mix at each meal.

    • 3

      Allow your rabbits to free feed on alfalfa, oats, timothy grass and other grass hays to round out their diet. Place as much of these hays as your rabbits will eat in one day into their feeder.

    • 4

      Empty feed trays daily and replace the food with fresh food. Black oil sunflower seeds lose nutritional integrity as they lose freshness, meaning they no longer benefit your rabbit's health if left out.

    • 5

      Offer sunflower seeds as an occasional treat. Allow your rabbit to eat a few black oil sunflower seeds alone when having play time, or purchase some bunny biscuits or other rabbit treats containing black oil sunflower seeds. Remember, treats are treats -- not diet staples -- so offer these only occasionally and in moderation.