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How To

How to Feed After a Rabbit

Contributor
By Lyndsey Hawkins
eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

Rabbits make wonderful pets but they have sensitive digestive systems. It's important to feed your rabbit properly with the right foods.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Good quality pellet made for rabbits
  • Alfalfa hay
  • Variety of fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Drinking bottle of fresh water

    How to Feed A Rabbit

  1. Step 1

    Feeding your rabbit a good quality pellet is very important. Look at labels for one that is around 16% protein and 16% fiber and less than 1% calcium.

  2. Step 2

    Mature rabbits (6 months and older) need the amount of pellets dependent on their body weight. Information will be given on the back of the package or your veterinarian can help you.

  3. Step 3

    Rabbits need a lot of fiber in their diet so they should have access to hay at all times. Timothy, Meadow or Alfalfa hay are most common.

  4. Step 4

    Mature rabbits also need a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to keep them healthy. Rabbits like spinach, dark green lettuce, dandelions leaves not flowers, carrots, parsley, cilantro and dill. Cabbage and iceberg lettuce is not good for them.

  5. Step 5

    Small amounts of fruits such as pears, bananas, a few grapes or a strawberry are also good but should be introduced one at a time to see if they agree with your rabbit. Watch for loose stools and diarrhea and eliminate any newly added veggie or fruit that might have caused this.

  6. Step 6

    Pay attention to what your rabbit likes to eat. Just like people, different rabbits like different food items.

Tips & Warnings
  • Avoid sugar-rich treats, yogurt drops and mixes with brightly colored flakes, nuts and seeds sold in pet stores.
  • Try to learn as much as you can about rabbits, their diets and their behavior. This will make having a pet rabbit more enjoyable for you and your rabbit.
  • Young rabbits, six months and under, should be given unlimited amounts of pellets because they are growing rapidly. Do not introduce fruits and vegetables until your rabbit is six months of age and then only one at a time and not too much.

Comments  

kat716 said

Flag This Comment

on 4/15/2009 The title of this article is a bit strange. It makes it sound like you are eating the rabbit's leftovers.

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