Adult rabbits should be eating quality Timothy hay pellets as part of their daily diet. Timothy hay-based pellets contain high amounts of fiber that rabbits need to aid in digestion. Feed timothy pellets at a rate of 1/8 to 1/4 Cup per 5 pounds of body-weight. Never feed pellets that have corn, nuts or seeds in them.
Can timothy pellets replace hay for rabbits?
Many rabbits also like timothy hay cubes (not alfalfa hay), which make a good treat. They are compressed hay, so they’re good for him, and they are fun to chew.
Do rabbits need hay if they eat pellets?
What do rabbits eat? Rabbits should have a daily diet of mostly hay, a smaller amount of fresh vegetables, and a limited number of pellets. Hay is the most important part of a rabbit’s daily intake. Unlimited, high-quality grass hay, such as Timothy, orchard or brome, should make up the bulk of a rabbit’s diet.
Should rabbits eat more hay or pellets?
While your rabbit should primarily consume hay, pellets contain carbohydrates and can be helpful in aiding thin rabbits to maintain or gain weight. Pellets are fine to feed in limited quantities, but should not be fed to the degree that they discourage your rabbit from eating his hay.
What can I feed my rabbit instead of hay?
What You Can Feed
- Fresh Vegetables. A handful of fresh vegetables like carrot tops (but not carrots because of the high sugar content); celery, cauliflower, broccoli (but not stems and tops) and greens should be given every day.
- Hay.
- Grass.
- Weeds.
- Dried Foods.
- Human Food.
- Bulbs.
- Peanuts and Raisins.
How many times a day should I feed my rabbit pellets?
twice a day
Rabbit food (nuggets/pellets)
As well as hay, grass and fresh food, you should give each of your rabbits one tablespoon of nuggets every day (or twice a day if they’re over 3.5kg). Although this seems like a small amount, dried rabbit nuggets are very concentrated, which is why your bunnies don’t need a lot.
Do rabbits have to eat hay?
Hay: The staple of a rabbit’s diet
As grazing animals, rabbits need to have an unlimited supply of fresh hay daily. You’ll want to feed your rabbit grass hays. Good types of grass hay for bunnies are timothy, orchard grass, brome and oat hay.
What happens if you dont give a rabbit hay?
Without hay, rabbits are at risk of many problems. They can suffer from overgrown teeth, stomach and digestive problems, and boredom. They may also become malnourished because grass and hay provide almost everything that they need. If they aren’t given access to these foods, they may become sick.
How long can Bunnies go without hay?
Rabbits are grazers who need to eat continuously. If they go even 12 hours without food, then they have a high chance of developing a potentially deadly condition called GI Statis. At most, a rabbit will typically live for around 3-4 days without eating. What is this?
What’s the best bedding to use for rabbits?
We recommend a good quality soft straw as the ideal bedding for warmth and comfort, particularly for outdoor rabbits. It’s warm because the hollow strands trap warm air and it’s also absorbent. It’s important to understand the difference between hay and straw.
Do rabbits need fresh hay everyday?
Hay and grass daily
Rabbits need at least one bundle of good quality hay everyday, and it should be as big as they are!
Can rabbits live off hay alone?
Rabbits eat grass (or 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.
How often should you change a rabbits hay?
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 can replace hay?
10 Forage Alternatives to Hay in a Drought Year
- Beet Pulp. Beet pulp is an alternative that makes sense if the price is right.
- Almond Hulls. Almond hulls are another feed that can replace forage and will also provide good NDF digestibility.
- Cottonseed.
- Bran.
- Wet Feeds.
- Grain Hays/Silage.
- Wheat Straw/Barley Straw.
Can I feed my bunny grass instead of hay?
Rabbits can eat grass instead of hay, however it’s not a change that should be made overnight. This kind of major change in a rabbits diet needs to be made in a slow transition over the course of a few weeks.
Do rabbits need hay if they have grass?
Fresh, clean drinking water and good quality hay and grass should make up the majority of your rabbits’ diet. A rabbit’s digestive system needs hay or grass to function properly so a healthy supply is extremely important. You can supplement with leafy greens and a small amount of pellets.
Do rabbits stop eating when they are 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 you overfeed rabbits?
Overeating can quickly lead to obesity in rabbits, which is a very dangerous condition. Since rabbits have such a sensitive digestive system, they run the risk of developing complications in their gut that will require medical intervention.
How do I know if my rabbit is eating enough?
It can be hard to spot overeating until it becomes a problem. However, there is a good way to know if your rabbit is eating right. Take a look at your rabbit’s fecal pellets. This can help you determine if its diet is healthy.
Is My Rabbit Eating Right?
- Consistently sized.
- Dark.
- Rounded.
- Slightly soft.
Will rabbits eat hay they peed on?
Rabbits pretty much avoid eating the soiled hay if there’s plenty fresh hay to eat. Eating hay that’s just been peed on should not be harmful but eating hay that’s been soiled for days not good. It is important to take out the pee soiled hay each day. You can suspend the hay in a rack over the box if you prefer.
What percentage of a rabbit’s diet should be hay?
80%
To ensure your rabbits have a healthy balanced diet, you should: Provide a constant supply of good quality fresh grass and grass hay (this should comprise about 80% of the overall diet) – e.g. Timothy, Oaten, Wheaten, Pasture, Paddock, Meadow or Ryegrass hays.