The information and research that we have on rabbit nutrition is always changing and growing which is amazing but it can definitely be hard to keep up with.
The most important part to your rabbits diet is hay, if your rabbit has access to clean, dust free hay 24/7 then you’re over half of they way there; Hay should make up to 80-90% of your rabbits diet!
If your rabbit does not have access to hay through out the day then GI Stasis can occur, this is when food stops moving through the rabbits gastrointestinal tract, this can then lead to a build up of bacteria in the intestines and if this goes unnoticed then toxins from the built up bacteria will be released. If left untreated this can be fatal. Providing plenty of hay can help prevent this.
Another benefit to hay is it helps keep your rabbits teeth healthy, a rabbits teeth never stop growing, this is why they always need something to chew on. Providing hay means your rabbit is able to chew and keep their teeth nice and short. Over grown teeth can also be very painful for your rabbit and can also cause GI stasis and other problems.
The second main component of their diet should be fresh vegetables. A common myth is that rabbits LOVE carrots, however, carrots are full of sugar so they are fine in moderation but should not be one of the main vegetables you feed your rabbit. Different types of leafy lettuce will be one of the main components of your rabbits salad, although ice burg lettuce should be avoided as it doesn't contain useful nutrients for your rabbit and contains chemicals that can over time become harmful to your bunny. You can top the leafy greens with a small mixture of other vegetables like peppers, carrots, broccoli etc but these should be in moderation. Your rabbit may also enjoy some different herbs mixed into their salad such as basil and coriander, dandelions are also a popular choice with most rabbits. Try to add some variety into the salads you provide your rabbit each day.
The next part of your rabbits diet is their pellets, unfortunately there are a lot of rabbit foods available in supermarkets and pet stores that are not ideal for your pet. Muesli mixes should be avoided, they contain lots of filler foods that provide little to no nutrients to your bunny, some are also quite high in sugar. Muesli mixes are made to be bright and colourful to attract your attention however, that's not what your rabbit cares about. It can be quite deceiving as unassuming pet owners think it will provide their rabbit with a variety but it actually causes selective eating, your rabbit will eat their favourite parts first and may just leave the rest.
A good rabbit food should appear plain and be free from any bright colours, this will guarantee that they are getting balanced nutrients with every bite. Good brands include Oxbow, Burgess and Science Select.
The last part of your pets diet is treats, although for many of them this will be their favourite part. When buying treats for your rabbit the less ingredients the better, good ingredients to look out for include timothy hay and fruits or vegetables. We want to avoid treats that contain lots of additives or chemicals , the more natural the better. Our shop has lots of great treats for your rabbit to safely enjoy. Different fruits can also be given as a treat such as different berries, pear and apple (without the seeds).
You rabbit also needs 24/7 access to water, while lots of people use water bottles, bowls are actually more beneficial in most cases. Rabbits drink a lot more water than most people think, so providing them with a bowl makes it much easier for them to have a big drink.
If you are ever unsure about what you can or can't feed to your rabbit feel free to send us a message and we will be happy to help, alternatively there are lots of great Facebook groups or accounts on Instagram that are full of great information!