Nutritional Advice
Diet.
The wild rabbit lives on a diet of grasses and leaves and has developed a specialized gut which is adapted for this high fibre and coarse diet. The large intestine contains bacteria which break down the grass fibre to make it digestible. The rabbit passes the fibre through the gut twice to make sure all the nutrients are absorbed. This means that rabbit produce and eat a special kind of faeces (poop) which many owners do not ever see as the rabbit eats them directly from their bottom. These faeces are dark, sticky and smelly, and are called caecotropes.
Because of this specialised gut and the constantly growing teeth the adult rabbit needs a high fibre, restricted carbohydrate, restricted protein and virtually no fat diet to stay healthy.
We recommend that the healthy adult rabbit be given a limited amount of fresh rabbit pellets twice a day, each time around 1/2 to 1 flat chinese soup spoon full.
Your rabbit must have 24 hour access to loose hay (not cubes).
We strongly recommend TIMOTHY hay (first cut, or high fibre).
Orchard grass, botanical & mountain hay are also good choices as they are high fibre, low protein hays.
Alfalfa hay is too rich, too much protein and calcium.
Check the hay is good quality, it should have a fresh sweet smell and not smell dusty or mouldy.
Hay varies in colour according to the weather conditions and can be cream, yellow, green or light brown. As long as it smells fresh and nice it should be fine.
An occasional insect may be found, and this is quite natural, but if it is crawling with insects it should be thrown away.
Be careful where you buy your rabbit food. Either buy in a busy rabbit pet shop or from our retail shop. You must buy from a supplier that sells a lot of food to ensure the foods will be fresher. We keep all our hay in air conditioning to ensure it is fresh. We recommend the shop you buy from does the same.
Young (under 6 months), pregnant, sick or old (over 6 years) rabbits.
They should usually be given more pellets than adults as they have increased nutritional needs. It is best to seek advice on the exact quantity of food to feed as it is depends on thier current health condition. They may also be offered a proportion of alfalfa hay as it is a richer hay, with more protein and calcium.
Fresh vegetables
These are an important source of vitamins, and most rabbits love them
Around 1-2 rice bowls should be given every day. It is best to feed at least 3 different vegetables every day and to rotate through different types. Sticking with one or two vegetables may lead to dietary imbalances or problems.
Choi Sum, pak choi, chinese lettuce, romaine lettuce, broccoli leaves, carrots, parsley, spinach, coriander and yau mak choi are all good choices.
Like all new foods, introduce them slowly, start with a little and work up.
Wash thoroughly and make sure they are fresh. Organic is best !
Fruit
A few small pieces are acceptable twice a week – perhaps 1/2 a teaspoonful.
Rabbit snacks and sweeties, seeds, nuts and biscuits are very unhealthy and should not be given.
Any diet changes MUST be slow and gentle. Upsetting the gut causes bacterial imbalances and can kill your bunny. Take up to 1 week to introduce a new vegetable or hay or brand of pellets.