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Feeding pet rabbits is easy because nutritionally complete and
balanced commercial pelleted diets are readily available. One of
these pelleted diets and fresh water are all a pet rabbit requires.
Commercial pellets tend to promote obesity of inactive pet
rabbits. This is because these diets are calorie-rich because they
were originally formulated for consumption by rabbits for their meat
and fur. These rabbits are pushed to grow rapidly and do not live
nearly as long as our pet rabbits. Inactive adult pet rabbits should
receive 1/4 cup of pellets per 5 pounds of body weight per day.
The pellets should be offered at all times unless overeating and
obesity have become problems. Clean, fresh water also should be
available at all times.
The pellets should be as fresh as possible when purchased and
should be purchased in relatively small quantities. The pellets
should be stored in the refrigerator to prevent premature spoilage.
Pellets that will probably not be used within 2 months of purchase
should be frozen immediately after purchase. Refusal to eat rancid
pellets is a relatively common cause of inappetence among rabbits.
Fresh water should be offered daily, either in a bottle or in a
heavy ceramic dish that cannot be easily overturned. Many hobbyists
find the hanging drop-style bottles most satisfactory. The water
container, regardless of the type used, should be thoroughly cleaned
and disinfected at least every 1-2 days.
Good-quality hay (grass, alfalfa, or clover) and/or grass
clippings should be offered daily. Some researchers believe this
practice reduces intestinal problems and the tendency to pull out and
chew on hair.
Other food items (lettuce, spinach, alfalfa sprouts, carrot tops,
beet greens, carrots, apples, etc) can be offered in small amounts
daily. These food items should not be offered in larger amounts
because they are water-rich and lack the nutrient density of the
pelleted diets. Furthermore, many rabbits develop a preference for
these items over pellets if they are offered in large quantity.
Rabbits can tolerate table food items offered daily if given in small
amounts (no more than 20% by volume of the total diet). This is
especially true of rabbits fed in this fashion from an early age.
Vitamin-mineral supplementation is not necessary if a pet rabbit
is fed as outlined above. Some rabbit owners provide saltlicks for
their pets, but experts do not regard this addition as a necessity.
Many rabbits love to gnaw and chew on their cage and on items within
the cage. A well-boiled roundsteak bone (marrow removed) and/or
small dog chew toys are often accepted as challenging gnawing
substitutes.
Many veterinarians recommend adding pineapple or pina colada
yogurt to the daily diet. Most rabbits willingly accept the yogurt,
especially if they are introduced to it at a young age. Yogurt
may help to promote and maintain the normal bacterial flora within
the digestive tract. Uncooked pineapple (papaya too) contains an
enzyme (papain) that seems to help in the resolution of hairball
problems in rabbits (see section on Hairballs).
EATING OF NIGHT FECES
Rabbits engage in a relatively uncommon but normal behavior when
they deliberately eat small, soft, moist (often mucus-covered), light
green fecal pellets directly from the anus. These special "night
stools" are especially rich in protein, vitamins and minerals.
Rabbits must obtain these nutrients in this fashion. This behavior
is most often carried out in the early morning hours and is rarely
observed by rabbit owners. Sometimes, however, they choose not to
eat the night pellets, and you may notice these slightly different
droppings in the morning.
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