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What To Feed A Rabbit

By Alison Wood

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Published: 23Aug2011
Word count: 553
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Keep your pet rabbit healthy by feeding it a nice mix of hay, fresh vegetables and pellets. These three key components of a rabbit's diet will keep its weight under control, allow for a healthy digestive system and also leave your rabbit full and satisfied. While many people think that feeding a rabbit pellets is enough to keep them healthy and happy, the truth is that rabbits will be much healthier when also fed hay and vegetables.

Hay is a very important part of a rabbit's diet for a number of reasons. First of all, hay helps a rabbit's digestive tract break down food and vegetation by providing extra fiber. Secondly, hay helps to wear down a rabbit's teeth, which are constantly growing. If left unattended, rabbit teeth can develop hooks called molar spurs that can be very sharp and painful for the rabbit. Give your rabbit unlimited fresh hay so that it can graze throughout the day. Baby rabbits should be given alfalfa, which is high in calories and helps them to put on weight and develop properly. As the rabbit grows, a gradual switch to timothy, oat hay or orchard grass will be necessary to give the rabbit the benefits of hay without the extra calories. Hay can be purchased at a variety of pet stores, or from local farms. For those allergic to hay, check for places that sell the second cutting of hay, which is typically less coarse and contains less seeds and stems.

A good diet is vital for rabbits, so hay can't be the only thing your rabbit munches on. Fresh vegetables are a great way to keep your rabbit healthy and happy. Incorporate a mix of leafy greens and other rabbit-friendly vegetables to give your rabbit extra fiber and also aid in their dental hygiene. Gradually introduce small quantities of vegetables to your rabbit's diet after about twelve weeks of age. After the rabbit's digestive system is adjusted, up to 2-3 cups of vegetables can be given to the rabbit daily. Healthy vegetables for a rabbit include carrots, carrot tops, broccoli, turnip greens, romaine lettuce, endive, kale and spinach. Avoid giving your rabbit beans, cauliflower, rhubarb, cabbage and potatoes, as these vegetables may cause problems with digestion. If you notice any negative reactions, such as diarrhea, with adding vegetables, simply scale back the amount given or try a new vegetable. Fresh fruit can be given in moderation as a treat for your rabbit.

Eventually, the hope is that the majority of a rabbit's diet is made up of vegetables and hay, but giving your rabbit pellets will still most likely be necessary throughout the rabbit's life. Rabbit pellets are high in calories, but they also contain much-needed nutrients. Limiting the amount of pellets that your rabbit gets will keep its weight in check, and also decrease the number of health problems that your rabbit will experience. Just like with humans, fresh, natural food is preferred over processed food. Pellets should contain 20-25% fiber and about 15% non-animal based protein to be considered a good choice for your rabbit. A combination of hay, fresh vegetable and a small about of rabbit pellets is the winning combination for your rabbit's healthy diet.

Alison Wood shares her tips for living with all different types of pets over at the aptly named pet blog, Pet Hooligans. To find out more about all your favorite little hooligans and how to increase their health and happiness, take a look at the website today ==> http://www.pethooligans.com/

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