BUNNY 101

PART TWO: RABBIT FOOD

(originally published at www.allpets.com May 2000)

In the last column, we discussed the importance of getting your bunny spayed and neutered. Now it’s time to focus on his diet. Providing your bunny with a consistent, wholesome diet is one of the most significant things you can do to ensure a long and healthy life.

Just like humans, rabbits require a balanced diet replete with vitamins and nutrients. Fresh is definitely best when it comes to feeding your pet rabbit. A healthy rabbit diet will incorporate daily portions of hay, vegetables, pellets and fresh water with the occasional treat. Each of these items is discussed below.

HAY

Hay is, by far, the most important element in a healthy bunny diet. It helps keep the bunny’s digestive system operating regularly, helping to prevent gastro-intestinal upsets. It also provides a constant source of nutrients which will keep the bunny healthy while minimizing the risk of obesity.

Purchase and storage

Thanks to the high-tech world we live in, you don’t need to live in farm country to get your bunny fresh, nutritious hay. Many farms sell directly to consumers via the internet at prices quite comparable to what you might pay if you could drive right up to the barn yourself. The hay should look fresh and smell sweet, with no evidence of moisture or other contamination.

Depending on the number of bunnies in your household and the rate at which they consume hay, you may want to consider buying a bale or half a bale of hay at a time. Properly stored, it will keep well for several months, and by buying in bulk you may save some money on shipping costs. Whatever the quantity, you will need to keep the hay dry while still allowing it to breathe. A vented plastic storage bin works well.

Timothy vs. Alfalfa

Hay comes in many varieties. The most popular feed hays are Timothy and Alfalfa. For most adult bunnies, Timothy hay is best. It provides essential nutrients and roughage while helping the bunny maintain a healthy weight. Alfalfa hay is much richer and, in some cases, difficult for an older bunny’s system to digest. Alfalfa is appropriate for younger bunnies (up to a year), or for bunnies needing to gain a pound or two, but even those bunnies can do just as well on Timothy hay. An adult bunny should get a fresh, unlimited supply of Timothy hay each and every day.

Getting your bunny to eat it

Some bunnies are finicky about what they will and won’t eat. Some prefer to play with their hay, tossing it around for a delightful farmyard effect. It keeps their humans busy with the broom, but doesn’t do much for the bunny’s digestive health. There are a couple of tricks you can use if you find yourself with a bunny who would rather decorate with the hay than eat it. My favorite trick serves the dual purpose of getting your bunny to eat hay, while encouraging consistent litterbox habits.

Bunnies spend a lot of time in their litterboxes. Use this to your advantage. When you prepare your bunny’s litterbox, toss a handful of hay on top, preferably in the middle of the box. Most bunnies will only use the corners of the litterbox anyway, so the middle will always stay clean. Think of the hay as the bunny version of a magazine rack in the bathroom. Adding a fresh handful each the morning and another before bedtime ensures that more hay will get in your bunny than will get on your floor. And this has the added benefit of keeping their litterboxes sweet-smelling and fresh between changes.

FRESH VEGETABLES

A carrot or two might be enough for a cartoon bunny, but real ones require a bit more in the way of fresh vegetables. A varied diet with lots of leafy green vegetables can help keep your bunny in perfect operating condition. With a little luck, the bunny just might encourage a healthier diet for everyone in the household. Just be sure to rinse everything thoroughly before putting it on your bunny’s plate.

Lettuce

Of all the various species of lettuce in our grocery stores today, Iceberg is one variety you should avoid when preparing your bunny’s menu. Opt instead for Romaine, Endive, Red Leaf or Green Leaf varieties. These will be easier on your bunny’s digestive system and will provide nutrients that Iceberg lettuce lacks. Field Mixes are also appropriate, as long as they do not include Iceberg.

Other Greens

In addition to the many lettuce varieties, bunnies also enjoy a wide assortment of other types of greens. Collard greens are a popular choice as are Bok Choy and Spinach. Dandelion greens are often a huge hit. A hint regarding Dandelion greens: unless you know your yard is free of chemicals and pesticides, buy Dandelion greens at the supermarket rather than picking them out of your own yard. Green, leafy carrot tops are another huge favorite. You may even find some tops discarded among the carrot bunches, left behind by a non-bunny person more interested in the carrots themselves.

Mustard greens and Turnip greens and other such items are equally appropriate for bunnies, though some bunnies simply cannot stand them. I have had the experience of having bunnies who hate mustard greens so much that they would not touch their salads at all until I removed the offending item. Rabbits can be very particular about their meals and are not afraid to send them back to the kitchen for corrections.

Herbs are also very popular with many rabbits, Mint and Basil, to name but two. Although rather expensive when purchased in a store, they are easy to cultivate in your own garden or even in a windowbox container. A sprig or two tossed with an evening salad will make for a very happy bunny indeed.

Parsley and Cilantro tend to be easy to obtain and make some bunnies very happy indeed. Some bunnies express a preference for either the curly or flat varieties of Parsley. Some bunnies adore Cilantro, while others will leave it to wilt in the bottom of their bowl. Let your bunny tell you what vegetables he does and doesn’t like.

Other Vegetables

Many rabbits enjoy other vegetables, such as broccoli or cauliflowers and even cucumbers. Be careful with these as they can cause problems with bloating and gas in some bunnies. Carrots, of course, are a huge favorite of almost every bunny. Use these sparingly as they contain a great deal of sugar, which can upset a bunny’s delicate system.

When introducing any new food into your bunny’s diet, do it slowly and carefully, adding one new thing at a time, to give your bunny a chance to acclimate to the new items. This will also give you an opportunity to assure that your bunny is not reacting badly to the diet. Check for regular droppings and normal behavior. If you suspect any item is not agreeing with your bunny, simply remove it from his diet. He won’t miss it. 

PELLETED FOOD

Walk into any pet store and you will be faced with a huge assortment of pelleted bunny food. While pellets provide important nutrients to bunnies, they should be the smallest part of a bunny’s diet. A healthy adult bunny shouldn’t need more than about a quarter cup of pellets per day. They get everything else they need from the hay and vegetables mentioned above.

There are a few important things to look for when choosing a pelleted food for your bunny. First, when buying from a store, always check the expiration date on the bag. If there isn’t one, don’t buy it. Some stores have very slow turnover of bunny pellets and the food can sit too long on the shelves. Second, look at the ingredients. Bunnies are vegetarians, so things like animal fat and animal protein are probably not the best choices for a healthy bunny diet. Finally, compare lables and look at things like calcium content and protein content. The lower the better.

Pellets can also be purchased on-line through various retailers. Most are made primarily of alfalfa hay although it is possible to find timothy hay based pellets.

As with any other type of food, make the transition to a new pellet slowly, giving the bunny time to adjust and you opportunity to observe his behavior. When switching to a new type of pellet, mix the old with the new over a two-week period, gradually increasing the proportion of new. This will assist your bunny in acclimating to his new brand.

WATER

Like any other animal, bunnies must have a consistent supply of fresh, clean water. Using either a bowl or a hanging bottle, make sure your bunny has access to water at all times. Don’t be surprised though if your bunny isn’t a big drinker. Depending on the amount of water they get from eating their vegetables, some bunnies may not be very interested in drinking their water. Keep it available anyway. You will find a house bunny’s thirst will increase in the winter when the air tends to be drier and in the summer when the temperature tends to be higher.

TREATS

Treats should be used in moderation. As we have discussed, the bunny digestive tract tends to be sensitive and delicate and prone to all sorts of complications. To keep the bunny healthy, the best treats are natural ones.

Raisins are a popular favorite, as are other unsweetened, dried fruits. Use them sparingly and, as always, watch your bunny’s behavior for signs of discomfort. Some bunnies go wild for pieces of banana or other fruits. Experiment with pears and apples and see what your bunny likes most. Stay away from treats with added sugar and starches as these may tend to upset your bunny’s system.

DISHES 

While we’re on the subject of food, you may want to consider the type of containers you use. Some bunnies have a powerful desire to spill their food and water by tossing their dishes all over the place. For these bunnies, you may want to consider dishes that can be attached to the side of a wall or that are weighted down or otherwise attached to the floor. Dishes made for large dogs and cats are heavy enough to withstand even the strongest bunny’s wrath, but may be too large to put inside the typical bunny’s enclosure unless they already have a great deal of space.

Water bottles, which hang from the side of a bunny’s house, will prevent spillage as will a locking bowl attached to the wall. If you use a bowl, just be sure to wash it every day to prevent the growth of bacteria and algae.

By taking the time to read a few labels and experiment with different greens, you will very easily determine your bunny’s favorite menu. Because bunnies are creatures of habit, their tastes will not easily change. Find out what he likes and get into a pattern of buying just that. By sticking to a plan you both can live with, you can give your bunny a fantastic diet without too much of a strain on your own pocketbook.

ASK BEAKER