Don’t overfeed pellets – one eighth of a cup for a small rabbit per day is more than adequate OR you could choose to not feed pellets at all! There are no pellets out there in the wild and rabbits do very well without them! Don’t skimp on the hay – a ball about the same size as your bunny per day is a great guide.
How often should rabbits eat pellets?
daily
Feed your rabbits a small amount of good quality pellets or nuggets daily. Give them the right amount – measure 25g (an eggcup-full) of pellets per kg of your rabbit’s body weight. For example, for a medium-sized rabbit (2kg), feed a maximum of two full egg cups.
Should rabbits have pellets all day?
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. Alfalfa pellets are fine for younger rabbits but timothy pellets are preferred for older rabbits.
How many times should I feed my rabbit a day?
The total amount of fresh food that you may give to your rabbit daily (once your bunny has been gradually introduced to it), is a minimum of 1 heaping cup (loosely packed), per 5 pound of body weight, given two times a day.
Can I feed my rabbit just pellets?
Yes, pellets are part of a rabbit diet too. It’s possible to feed a non-pelleted diet, but this requires a careful balance of nutrient sources from many types of veggies and hay. Most rabbit owners prefer to provide a pelleted food in addition to the hay and vegetables their rabbit eats.
Can you overfeed rabbits?
Rabbits have sensitive digestive systems. Overeating can cause obesity and digestive problems which could lead to death. A rabbit’s diet should consist of 85% grass hay, such as meadow, timothy, or orchard hay. The rest of the diet should be fresh vegetables, fruit, and pellets.
Will rabbits stop eating when full?
When Does a Rabbit Stop Eating? Your rabbit will stop eating when it’s satiated or during rest. However, it’s important to keep in mind that it’s normal for rabbits to eat numerous times throughout the day.
Can rabbits survive on just hay?
Rabbits should be fed in a way that is as close as possible to their natural diet: mostly grass or hay. In fact, rabbits could live on hay and water alone, but we recommend providing some fresh leafy vegetables and a small amount of commercial feed.
Can rabbits survive without pellets?
Rabbits can get by without pellets as long as hay and fresh green vegetables are given every day. Avoid cereal/grain mixes (such as rabbit mix muesli) as these can encourage selective feeding, nutritional imbalance and obesity [1, 4]. Providing other objects to chew on is also a good idea.
What time should I feed my rabbit?
Providing pellets or fresh greens during the evening feeding is optimal. Rabbits are most likely to eat their pellets during the evening and overnight hours. Providing food during this time decreases the number of unwanted behaviors (chewing, playing with water bottle) that may occur in the overnight hours.
Should rabbits be covered at night?
In the daytime, keep the front of the hutch uncovered for ventilation purposes. It is fine to cover more of the hutch during the night but you should still leave a small area open for ventilation. Add extra bedding for your bunny to snuggle into. This can be lined underneath with newspaper for increased insulation.
Can I leave my rabbit alone for 2 days?
Rabbits are not particularly independent, so they can’t be left on their own for more than two days. However, if it’s just a weekend or a working day, we can make sure they get everything they need, so we can spend time away from home without worrying too much about their health.
How often do you clean a rabbit cage?
As a general rule, clean your rabbit’s hutch or cage thoroughly at least once every two weeks. 1 However, your rabbit’s cage might need deep cleaning more often, depending on the size of the cage and how well your rabbit is litter-trained.
Do rabbits get bored of their food?
If rabbits live in small hutches with nothing to do and no space to move, they get bored. Boredom can cause some serious health problems: Bored rabbits will fill their time by eating. If they eat too much and don’t move around they’ll put on weight.
When should rabbits stop eating pellets?
6 to 8 months
For young growing rabbits, pellets can be given free choice until 6 to 8 months of age, then decrease to the maintenance amount as above. Store pellets in a closed container in a cool, dry place. Only buy enough for three months at a time. Please note not all commercially available rabbit food are good for rabbits.
Where do you put rabbit pellets?
Rabbit pellets are ideal for green mulching. Spread them in your yard, around fruit trees, and in flower beds. They’ll break down and give the soil a boost of nutrients.
How often should you change the bedding in a rabbit cage?
Hay bedding in a rabbit’s living space should be changed once a week if the rabbit uses a litter box. If a rabbit doesn’t use a little box, this hay will need to be changed once every 2-3 days. Additional hay should be added at least once daily as rabbits will likely consume this hay for food. Don’t worry.
What fruit can I feed my rabbit?
Fruit: Give to a bunny once or twice per week
- Apple (no seeds)
- Banana.
- Berries: blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries.
- Cherries (no seeds)
- Grapes.
- Melon.
- Nectarine.
- Orange.
Can rabbits eat lettuce everyday?
Once you’ve established that your rabbit’s digestive system can easily handle lettuce, it can become a daily addition to their diet. You can feed your rabbit anywhere from 1 to 4 large lettuce leaves per day, with larger rabbits being able to eat more lettuce without ill effect.
Can rabbits eat cucumber?
Yes, it is safe for rabbits to eat cucumber! Most rabbits will love the fresh taste. Rabbits can also eat cucumber leaves. Before feeding cucumber to your rabbit, wash it in cold water to remove pesticides.
How much carrots can a rabbit eat?
They hay should make up the vast majority. So can you feed rabbits carrots too? Yes. But no more than a quarter of a carrot every other day is a good rule of thumb.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.