Dietary Recommendations

Dietary Recommendations

by Sandi Ackerman

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A rabbit's diet should be made up of good quality pellets, fresh hay, (alfalfa, timothy or oat), water and fresh vegetables. Anything beyond that is a "treat" and should be given in limited quantities.

Pellets should be fresh, and should be relatively high in fiber (18% minimum fiber). Do not purchase more than 6 weeks worth of feed at a time, as it will become spoiled. Pellets should make up less of a rabbit's diet as he or she grows older, and hay should be available 24 hours a day.

When shopping for vegetables, look for a selection of different veggies. Look for both dark leafy veggies and root vegetables, and try to get different colors. Stay away from beans, corn and rhubarb.

hayrack

Hay is essential to a rabbit's good health, providing roughage which reduces the danger of hairballs and other blockages. Apple tree twigs also provide good roughage, just be sure to let them dry for three months before given them to your bunny.

Good Veggies for Bunnies
alfalfa sprouts	basil	beet greens (tops)
bok choy	broccoli (mostly leaves/stems)	brussels sprouts
carrots and carrot tops	celery (chop in small pieces)	cilantro
clover, clover sprouts	collard greens	dandelion greens and flowers (no pesticides)
endive	escarole	green peppers
mint	parsley	pea pods (the flat edible kind)
peppermint leaves	raddichio	radish sprouts, tops
raspberry leaves	romaine lettuce (no iceberg or light colored leaf lettuce)	watercress
wheat grass

Veggies to Give Occasionally
kale	mustard greens
spinach	Swiss chard

Special Treats
apple	bananas	blueberries	cranberries (dried)
grapes	melon	orange	papaya
peach	pear	pineapple	plums
raspberries	strawberries

Babies and "teenagers"

Birth to 3 weeks - mother's milk

3 to 4 weeks - mother's milk, nibbles of alfalfa and pellets

4 to 7 weeks - mother's milk, access to alfalfa and pellets

7 weeks to 7 months - unlimited pellets, unlimited hay

12 weeks - introduce vegetables (one at a time, quantities under 1/2 oz.)

Young Adults (7 months to 1 year)

introduce grass and oat hays, decrease alfalfa
decrease pellets to 1/2 cup per 6 lbs.body weight
increase daily vegetables gradually
fruit daily ration no more than 1-2 oz. (1-2 tablespoons) per 6 lbs. body weight (because of calories)

Mature Adults (1-5 years)

Unlimited grass hay, oat hay, straw

1/4 to 1/2 cup pellets per 6 lbs. Body weight (depending on metabolismand/or proportionate to veggies)

Minimum 2 cups chopped vegetables per 6 lbs. body weight

fruit daily ration no more than 2 oz. per 6 lbs. body weight

Senior Rabbits (over 6 years)

If sufficient weight is maintained, continue adult diet

Frail, older rabbits may need unrestricted pellets to keep weight up.

Alfalfa can be given to underweight rabbits, only if calcium levels are normal.

Annual blood workups are highly recommended for geriatric rabbits.

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