Diet
Rabbits are herbivores (they eat plants). Their daily diet should include:
- Unlimited mixed grass hay or timothy hay. Do not feed large amounts of alfalfa hay to indoor adult rabbits.
- Less than 1/8 cup of high-fiber (18% or more) pellet (timothy grass-based preferred) per 5 pounds of rabbit.
- No less than 1 cup of 3 types of dark green or yellow veggies: alfalfa sprouts, basil, beet greens, broccoli leaves, brussel sprouts, carrots and carrot tops, cilantro, collared greens, endive, green peppers, parsley, romaine lettuce, kale, outer cabbage leaves, wheat grass, pea pods (no peas), squash, dandelion leaves.
- Small amounts of fruit totaling no more than 1 to 2 level Tbs. Per 5 pounds of body weight: apple, peach, plum, pear, melon, raspberry, papaya, blueberry, blackberry, strawberry, pineapple. No bananas or grapes.
Housing
Partial solid flooring is recommended in rabbit caging. 100% wire flooring may induce severe foot ulceration and infections. Rabbits may be trained to a litter box, suggested box materials are: Care Fresh, Yesterday’s News, Mountain Cat Kitty Litter, or Harvest Litter. Do not use corncob, walnut shell, wood shavings, or clay litters.
Preventative Care
- Sanitation is extremely important…. Keep the cage clean.
- Fur should be combed 1 to 2 times per week. More frequent combing is required in longhaired breeds.
- Nails should be trimmed as needed (see your veterinarian).
- Fresh pineapple juice should be given monthly to prevent potentially life-threatening hairballs. Alternatively, a small dose of a cat laxative may be given weekly after grooming.
- Weigh rabbits monthly, and record the weight. If the weight drops significantly, telephone your veterinarian.
- Teeth should be checked on a regular basis for overgrowth. This is especially important if appetite seems to be flagging.
- Diet should NOT include seeds or seed sticks.
Michael S. Samuels, D.V.M.
Central Animal Hospital
