04/01/2018
Hay may be the single most important item in your rabbit’s diet, and it should be fed in unlimited quantities to both adults and baby rabbits.
We supplement our rabbit’s diet with Bermuda hay which seems to be their favorite. Bermuda hay, however, can be difficult to find at times. Other types of hay good for a rabbit may include Timothy, Oaten, Orchard, Bluegrass, Coastal, Brome, Bahia, Wheaten, Pasture, Paddock, Meadow or Rye grass. Your choice of hay should include Vitamin A and D as well as calcium, protein and other nutrients. Alfalfa, Lucerne or Clover hays, on the other hand, should not be given to adult rabbits. These three hays are actually legumes and are too high in protein, calcium and calories. These minerals are very rich and can cause health problems like obesity , bladder stones and can cause “sludge” in a rabbits urine. Alfalfa hay, however, is great for young or growing rabbits.
If you do decide you want to make a change in the rabbit’s diet, do it slowly. Serious damage or even death may result if certain foods are fed to a rabbit that is accustomed to only eating concentrated feed. Even sudden changes in a grain diet may cause minor, or possibly serious, digestive disorders. Any changes you make, should be done gradually. The best method is mixed feeding to avoid any sudden change. Never feed them lettuce (especially ice-berg) or cabbage. Lettuce contains lactucarium, which will upset the balance of good bacteria in their stomach and cause them to get diarrhea so badly that it can become fatal. The best and safest thing to do is just stick with rabbit pellets. Rabbits are fine and content with eating the same thing every day. Their health is more important that you feeling good about giving it a special treat. That special treat could be deadly. However, there are treats safe for rabbits if given in small amounts (see below).