What should I feed my bunny?
It can be difficult to know what is right to feed your pet rabbit, so here is an easy guide to help..
Fresh water must be available all the time - Provide water in the way they are used to (e.g. a heavy ceramic bowl or a drip-feed bottle). Rabbits prefer water bowls. Remember to ensure the water is free from algae in the summer and doesn't freeze in the winter. If you use a bottle, check daily that your rabbits can access the water and that the end is not blocked.
Hay/grass is available everyday - Good quality, fresh hay should be available at all times and ideally, your rabbits should also have access to growing grass for grazing, or kiln-dried grass. Rabbits have teeth that grow constantly so eating hay helps to keep their teeth at a healthy length. Please don’t feed lawnmower clippings; these can make your
rabbits ill.
Leafy greens everyday - Your rabbits must be fed an adult-sized handful of safe washed leafy green vegetables, herbs and weeds each day. Try to feed a variety of greens every day, ideally five to six different types, such as cabbage, kale, broccoli, parsley and mint. Introduce new types of greens gradually and in small amounts to
avoid potential stomach upsets.
Pellets - You can feed your rabbits a small amount of good quality pellets/nuggets each day.
Muesli-style foods are not recommended for rabbits:
Here are some reasons why muesli-style food isn't good for your rabbit. The RSPCA now advice that rabbits are no longer fed on muesli-style feed.
Lower Gut motility, which can put rabbits at a high risk of gut stasis, a condition which
is often fatal
Eating less hay, which can lead to abnormal growth of teeth that could develop into
painful dental disease. Lower hay consumption also results in reduction in water
intake, which in turn can lead to urinary tract stones or
sludge.
Not eating all their caecotrophs (droppings), meaning they may not get all the
nutrition they need and uneaten caecotrophs may become matted in rabbits' fur,
putting them at risk of dermatitis and fly strike
Selective feeding (where rabbits pick out their favourite pieces rather than eating the
whole portion), which can lead to an imbalanced diet lacking in vital vitamins
and minerals.
The research has also shown that eating muesli-style foods without hay causes
rabbits to become overweight or obese, which can also lead to health problems.
Here is a list of vegetable, herbs, flowers, weeds and fruits that are safe for your bunnies:
Fresh water must be available all the time - Provide water in the way they are used to (e.g. a heavy ceramic bowl or a drip-feed bottle). Rabbits prefer water bowls. Remember to ensure the water is free from algae in the summer and doesn't freeze in the winter. If you use a bottle, check daily that your rabbits can access the water and that the end is not blocked.
Hay/grass is available everyday - Good quality, fresh hay should be available at all times and ideally, your rabbits should also have access to growing grass for grazing, or kiln-dried grass. Rabbits have teeth that grow constantly so eating hay helps to keep their teeth at a healthy length. Please don’t feed lawnmower clippings; these can make your
rabbits ill.
Leafy greens everyday - Your rabbits must be fed an adult-sized handful of safe washed leafy green vegetables, herbs and weeds each day. Try to feed a variety of greens every day, ideally five to six different types, such as cabbage, kale, broccoli, parsley and mint. Introduce new types of greens gradually and in small amounts to
avoid potential stomach upsets.
Pellets - You can feed your rabbits a small amount of good quality pellets/nuggets each day.
Muesli-style foods are not recommended for rabbits:
Here are some reasons why muesli-style food isn't good for your rabbit. The RSPCA now advice that rabbits are no longer fed on muesli-style feed.
Lower Gut motility, which can put rabbits at a high risk of gut stasis, a condition which
is often fatal
Eating less hay, which can lead to abnormal growth of teeth that could develop into
painful dental disease. Lower hay consumption also results in reduction in water
intake, which in turn can lead to urinary tract stones or
sludge.
Not eating all their caecotrophs (droppings), meaning they may not get all the
nutrition they need and uneaten caecotrophs may become matted in rabbits' fur,
putting them at risk of dermatitis and fly strike
Selective feeding (where rabbits pick out their favourite pieces rather than eating the
whole portion), which can lead to an imbalanced diet lacking in vital vitamins
and minerals.
The research has also shown that eating muesli-style foods without hay causes
rabbits to become overweight or obese, which can also lead to health problems.
Here is a list of vegetable, herbs, flowers, weeds and fruits that are safe for your bunnies: