Archive for March 25th, 2011
Rabbit Foods
March 25th, 2011
There are many different types of rabbit food on the market. Most of the mixes contain a variety of ingredients, such as cereals and pellets. Recent concerns over locust beans, which have been blamed from the death of some rabbits, have led to these being removed by some manufacturers. Check the labeling for the precise ingredients, and make a note of the “use-by” date for the vitamin and mineral content of the mix.
If your rabbit has not been used to fresh foods, introduce this carefully in small amounts. You can feed a rabbit a wide range of fresh foods, including dandelion, grass, carrots and cabbage. Always wash the food beforehand and make sure it is fresh. Many rabbits develop serious diarrhea when they are first put in an outdoor run, because they are not used to eating grass. The consequences can be fatal, so it is important to acclimatize the rabbit to grass before it goes outside.
A rabbit that is fed a commercial formulated food is unlikely to need any supplement to its diet. Treats available from pet stores can be offered occasionally, but watch out for signs that your rabbit is overweight: pet rabbits can become obese, especially if they are fed a diet that is too concentrated. Aim to provide a balanced diet, matched to your pet’s energy requirements. Rabbit kept outside need more food than those kept indoors. A neutered rabbit will also need less food. Pet rabbits can be tamed to eat from the hand. Children need to be taught not to hold on to the food item for too long, however, because the rabbit will crazy on nibbling and may then take a bite at their fingers. A rabbit diet should consist of both fresh and dry foods. Make any dietary changes gradually to avoid digestive upsets.
