Hay for Rabbits

By: David Sherwood

Photo by w3ird37

Feeding rabbits Timothy hay is a great way to provide them with a low-energy dietary fiber. Timothy hay grown in the western part of the USA is often a better quality because quickly cures in the desert air so it's green.

If you feed timothy hay to your bunny be careful to not feed it too much because it is likely to cause nutritional deficiencies. Timothy hay doesn't provide enough vitamins and minerals that rabbits need to stay healthy. To support long-term health it is important to provide a balanced diet that is fortified with phosphorous, chelated minerals, and essential amino acids.

Many people have read on-line that they should feed timothy hay to their adult pet rabbit instead of alfalfa hay. However, this is based upon some common misconceptions that are not true!

For example many people have read online that alfalfa is "too high in calories" and can obesity in rabbits. This simply is not true. Although alfalfa has slightly more calories than Timothy hay it is important to understand that the calories in alfalfa are mainly from protein, which your rabbit needs to eat to be healthy.

The types of calories that can make your rabbit fat are from carbohydrates that come from grain and grain by-products. This is why adult pet rabbits will be healthier when they are fed a grain-free diet. Rabbit food that is made for "rabbits of all ages" will cause your rabbit to gain unhealthy weight because it has too many calories. This is why it is important to feed a properly balanced rabbit food that has the right protein to energy ratio. Although it isn't clearly listed on the feed label it is important to read the ingredient list and avoid rabbit food that has a lot of grain and grain by-products or soy products.

Also many people have read online that they should avoid feeding alfalfa to their rabbit because has more calcium than timothy hay. In reality the amount of calcium in hay greatly depends upon the amount of calcium that is in the soil that it was grown in. Also, hay naturally has a lot more calcium than grain! So the only way to lower the calcium content of your rabbits diet is to feed less hay and more grain... but that is definitely not recommended!

Nutritionists know that the digestible phosphorous content and the phosphorous to calcium ratio of the diet are the most important factors that influences calcium metabolism. Phosphorous is a limiting nutrient and is expensive but adding it to the diet of your rabbit is important for long-term health. Baby rabbits need a phosphorous content of around 0.6% (adult rabbits need above 0.3%).

For these reasons it is best to feed your rabbit a balanced pelleted diet that includes all of the minerals and vitamins that your rabbit needs to stay healthy. When you do you'll see a real difference in the quality of their fur coat as well as their playfulness and overall activity level.

David Sherwood has grown up raising rabbits for fun. His advanced academic and real world experience have given him extensive knowledge that will help you understand and solve many of the problems that face those who raise rabbits. To learn more about his qualifications and to get 'common sense' answers to rabbit questions, go to https://naturalrabbitfood.com
To learn more about feeding rabbits hay, go to: https://www.naturalrabbitfood.com/timothy-hay-for-rabbits/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Sherwood

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Healthy Snacks Your Rabbit Will Love

By: Lindsey Watson

Photo by jaimuima

Everyone loves a good snack every now and then! The same is true for your rabbits. A good snack can be a nutritious part of a healthy diet. It also sparks your pet's interest and gives them something to look forward to on a daily basis. Are you in search of healthy snack ideas that your rabbits will love? Use the list below to find snacks that your rabbit is sure to enjoy.

Hay

While hay should be an essential part of your pet's diet, it can also serve as a great snack throughout the day. As a snack option, choose to give your rabbit alfalfa hay as opposed to the regular timothy hay that you feed on a daily basis. The texture and nutritional value is different and this can make for a great snack for your pet.

Fresh food

Perhaps the best snacks to feed your pet are those that are fresh and that will help aid in the digestion process. Keep in mind, however, that fresh food should only be given to your rabbit 2 to 3 times a week. Why? Over feeding your rabbit with fresh food will quickly cause him to begin relying solely on this food for nutrition. Rabbit pellets should make up the majority of your rabbit's diet. Fresh food that your rabbit will love includes apples, grapes, pears, oranges, mustard greens, beets, parsley, etc. Snacks not to include in your rabbit's diet include the pits or seeds from fresh fruit. Be sure that you remove all seeds and pits before serving fresh snacks to your pet.

Fibre Rich Pellets / Nuggets

While you don't want to over feed your rabbit, an occasional snack of extra pellets won't hurt. If you can't make it to the store or don't have hay on hand but feel that you pet deserves a snack, consider giving it a few extra pellets for a snack during the day. You need to ensure though that you are serving fibre rich nuggets rather than sugary muesli, which offers no nutritional goodness to the rabbit whatsoever.

If you want to raise a healthy rabbit, snacks should be included at least 2 to 3 times a week. Keep in mind however, that rabbit that are 6 months or younger, should not be fed a large amount of fresh food. Depending on the age of your rabbit, ration snacks throughout the week while still giving your pet the food that it loves.

Feed your rabbit a healthy, nutritious and fibre rich diet by choosing The Excel Feeding Plan, quality rabbit food that is Vet approved. Visit the Burgess Pet Care website for more information today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7199546

Best Tips In Having Rabbits Pets At Home

By: Thomas Robertson

People who want to raise rabbit pets sometimes wonder about raising techniques. One of the several things to remember is rabbit care. The issue is this - how can raisers completely give proper care for rabbits? Giving rabbits the most proper attention also means giving them their basic in order to live happy and healthy. These helpful tips are absolutely easy to follow for pet owners and rabbit aficionados.

For the most part, be able to provide rabbits with appropriate food supply. Bringing them proper foodstuff means proper nutrition for their sustained survival. Lots of rabbit owners likely provide food even without finding out if the foodstuff is essential or just unsafe for the rabbit pets.

Nowadays, lots of commercially produced rabbit foods are positively promoted. Conversely, pet owners must be aware of this because some of these commercial rabbit foods can be deceiving and cannot really provide the right nutrients to your pet. So, as a pet owner, you must learn what is essential and know the nutrients that rabbit pets actually need.

A rabbit's digestive system needs a stable diet. When they have eaten anything beyond their usual diet, it can pose health troubles on the rabbit pets. They can consume fresh hay, oat, timothy, alfalfa or grass hay. These are top sources of rabbit diet. These are needed to maintain the balance of their digestion. The absence of hay can mean enduring effects inside their frail digestive system.

Another main rabbit food sources are pellets. It can be the pure pellets, pellets with seeds or pellets with treats and either of these you can get for your rabbit pets to eat. These veggies and fruits are better food sources but remember to give these to your rabbit pets as moderate and regulated as possible because the sugar content of these foods can also affect the rabbit's health. Fruits and veggies are suggested for bunnies after six months of their existence.

Rabbit care likewise includes a nice shelter for them to stay. Ideally, rabbit cages or shelters should be a safe place or location which is for them to roam around and will provide them with a secured environment from any environmental and weather risks such as extreme coldness, severe temperature and impending predators. Furthermore, it is significant to know the type of cage that will be suitable for your pet. You can choose for rabbit pets, either a wire or a wooden cage.

Thomas Roberson - About the Author:

Do You Want To Know How To Take Care Of Your Pet Rabbit & Build Great Friendship With Her? Discover more information about Rabbit Pets, visit Rabbit Care.

What are the Things that Considered as Rabbit Food?

By: Chris

If you are wondering what would make as general rabbit food, then you should read on. Feeding the right stuffs for this pet to eat is extremely important as it will ensure health and if it is still young, it will grow stronger on nutrients provided.

Usually the thing that may enter your mind when it comes to rabbit food is carrots. Yes, carrots are one of those foods that these bunnies munch on but there are more in the list. Grass hay should be fed to both the baby, young and adult rabbits. This is essential in helping the intestinal muscle movements. The hay is acting as fibres in the intestines to ensure good digestion. Other than that,the diet should also include pellets. These are commercialised food that contains fibre, protein, fat, calcium and alfalfa that the pet needs for its strength and health. Fresh vegetables make great rabbit food. Apart from the famous carrot, these cute pet feeds on broccoli, spinach, tomato, mint, basil, parsley and lettuce with dark leaves. It also takes in just about any green and leafy vegetables. However one thing to bear in mind is that only fresh ones should be given to the rabbit as stale ones could make it sick. The thing to remember is to never feed it what you yourself do not eat. Freshness of the food is very important if you want a happy pet and not a sick one. Fresh fruits could also be fed but it could not be overdone as it will cause intestinal problems in the pet. Fruits that could be in the diet are mango, banana, plum, peach, papaya, pineapple, apple and berries.

The normal treats and snacks that could be fed to some pets are not suitable to give to rabbits. Food like cookies, nuts, seeds and cereals should be away from the list of food for these hopping mammals.

Chris - About the Author:
Chris has written this article and he likes to write and share articles on topics like Rabbit Hutch Bunny. Visit http://www.squidoo.com/rabbit-hutch-bunny for more details.

Oxbow Bunny Basics (Timothy Based)

All rabbits need high fiber to keep their digestive systems working properly, plus basic vitamins and minerals to maximize their health. Oxbow Bunny Basics combines needed fiber with stabilized nutrients to assure a well-balanced diet when served with Oxbow loose grass hays. Oxbow Animal Health's founder and owner John Miller created the industry's first timothy-based pellet for small herbivores, the basis of Oxbow Bunny Basics. Buy ii now

Understanding the Best Rabbit Food

By Mark Andrew Wood Cock

Photo by maggotsapple

If you have recently taken possession of a cute little bunny then you will need to make sure you get hold of a supply of the right rabbit food. There are actually a range of options available from pet stores, this does not make the task any easier. The following information should give you a better understanding of exactly what you should be giving to your new pet.

A wise choice for a young rabbit would be alfalfa hay. This would provide them with a good dose of carbohydrate and calcium. The looser the strands the better amount of digestion that can take place.

All rabbits enjoy eating fresh green vegetables. This is a primary ingredient in their natural diet. Try to vary the selection on different days. A good choice would be such products as broccoli, spinach, celery, lettuce, and even garden grass. Keep an eye on their toilet movements to ensure that the vegetables do not cause any diarrhoea or similar problems.

There is nothing wrong with giving your rabbit the occasional piece of fruit but too much can make them unwell and even cause tooth decay. If you want to give fruit then choose varieties that can be chewed easily.

Most pet stores sell specialist rabbit pellets that are a great way to make sure they are having the right balance of nutrition. With a young rabbit understand exactly the correct amount as you would not want them to get obese.

You should not overlook the importance of water. Be certain that the rabbit has access to clean and fresh water each day. Do not let the liquid become stale or contaminated by food.

Owning a rabbit can provide much pleasure and enjoyment. It is important to return the favor by ensuring they have an adequate and healthy diet at all times.

Rabbits Diet: Is Your Rabbit Eating Right?

By: Hagar Lagarto

The typical diet for a pet rabbit consists of water, hay, pellets, fresh vegetables, and its own caecal pellets. Fruit and other treats are given only in very limited quantities, as they can cause obesity in a rabbit. Rabbits require a constant water supply as they dehydrate quickly.
Most sources recommend 80% of the diet should be Timothy hay or another grass hay. Too many vegetables in a rabbit's diet typically leads to diarrhea and other digestive problems.

Pellets
Rabbits are generally fed a pelleted feed available from pet stores, supermarkets, and farm suppliers. Pellets were originally designed for rabbit breeders for the purpose of providing as much food energy and vitamins as inexpensively as possible. This is optimal when the rabbits are being bred for food or for experimentation.

Most sources recommend a minimum of 18% fiber, low protein (14-15%), and less than 1% calcium. Depending on the amount of vegetables available, an adult rabbit should be given between 20 ml to 40 ml per kilogram body weight daily. Pre-adolescent and adolescent rabbits (7 months and younger) can be given as much pelleted diet as they can consume, although additional vegetables are preferable to additional pellets. An older rabbit (over six years) can be given more pellets if they are having difficulty maintaining a steady body weight. Timothy hay-based pellets are great for rabbits that have stopped growing and do not need to gain weight. Alfalfa-based pellets are best only for young, growing rabbits or older rabbits who are under-weight.

Hay
Hay is essential for the health of all rabbits. A steady supply of hay will help prevent gastrointestinal stasis and other digestive tract problems in rabbits. Additionally, it provides a number of necessary vitamins and minerals at a low food energy cost. Rabbits enjoy chewing on hay, and always having hay available for the rabbit may reduce its tendency to chew on other items. Timothy hay and other grass hays are considered the healthiest to provide the rabbit. As a persistently high blood calcium level can prove harmful to the rabbit, hays such as alfalfa and clover hay should be avoided. Alfalfa is also relatively high in food energy, and a constant diet of it can cause obesity in rabbits.

Treats
Treats are unhealthy in large quantities for rabbits, just as they are for humans. Most treats sold in pet stores are filled with sugar and high food energy carbohydrates. If an owner is determined to feed the rabbit treats, the best treat to provide it with is fruit.

Acceptable fruits (seeds and pits MUST be removed): Banana, Mango, Pineapple, Peach, Apple, Kiwi, Berries, Orange and other citrus fruits.

Pineapple, mango, and papaya all contain a natural enzyme which is thought to reduce hairballs.
Fruits or other treats must be given in moderation, as rabbits easily become overweight and suffer health problems. Their diet should consist of no more than half a tablespoon of fruits or treats per day.

However, fresh fruits should not be given to rabbits under the age of 4 months because their digestive systems are not always developed enough to handle the fruit. It can cause enteritis that causes death within 48 hours.

While a common myth that rabbits should be given lettuce, this is not a good idea because it contains little to no nutritional value for the rabbit and again can cause enteritis which leads to a quick death.

Caecal pellets
Do not be alarmed if you see your rabbit eat some of his feces. These are called cecal pellets, and are a vital part of his diet. Caecal pellets are soft, smelly, clumpy feces, and are a rabbit's only supply of Vitamin B12. Due to the design of the rabbit's digestive system, they cannot extract some vitamins and minerals directly from their food. At the end of their digestive system is an area called the caecum where cellulose and other plant fibers are broken down and ferment. After they have been broken down and passed, a rabbit's digestive system can finally extract the vitamins from them.

Supper Time! What Should You Feed Your Pet Rabbit?

By: Andrea Austin

One of the most important aspects of properly caring for a pet rabbit is providing him with a healthy, satisfying, and well-balanced diet.

Fortunately, doing so is relatively easy, since there is general consensus about what is good for rabbits and a wide range of great food pellet options. Rabbits can also eat many of the fruits and veggies that you probably have on your dinner table every night (see below for recommendations and portions).

Pellets
Rabbit pellets, available at your local pet store, on the internet, or through mail-order, can be a backbone of your pet's diet. They provide many nutrients in a dense fashion, and they make your job as a feeder so easy. However, you don't need pellets to keep your rabbit healthy. Hay, veggies and the occasional treat of fruits can be an equally or even more effective diet. After all, rabbits in the wild subsist on hay, grass, and veggies ... why should domestic rabbits be any different? On the other hand, pellets are easy and widely available. The choice is really up to you.

If you do decide to feed your rabbit pellets, alfalfa pellets are recommended, as are the excellent rabbit pellets offered by Oxbow (Bunny Basics), Purina or Manna Pro. Feed your rabbit a small amount twice daily (morning and night).
Purchase in small bags if possible (not jumbo size) to ensure that they are as fresh as possible by the time your bunny actually gets to eat them. Pet rabbits are widely known as picky eaters who respond badly to sudden changes in diet, and they may balk if you try to feed them pellets that are spoiled or that have gone rancid or stale.

Veggies
Pellets are a great starting point, but they are only a portion of an overall balanced diet. Rabbits also love to consume vegetables, and many vets recommend giving pet bunnies a small amount of a variety of veggies each day.
Here are some veggies rabbits love:Alfalfa sprouts, Basil, Brussels sprouts, Carrots, Celery, Clover, Green peppers, Mint, Parsley, Peppermint leaves, Radish tops, Wheat grass

While you may have seen bunnies crunching down on carrot sticks in the cartoons, it's important not to give only carrots or to overfeed too many carrots to your pet. Carrots contain vitamin A, and too much of it can cause problems. On the other hands, vitamin A is essential to good nutrition, so aim for one item that contains it per day. Besides carrots, some veggies that contain vitamin A are:
Beet tops, Broccoli, Endive, Romaine leaves, Dandelion greens

Be careful not to give your rabbit too many vegetables, as they are high in water content and can cause diarrhea or loose stools. If this happens, reduce or eliminate veggies from the diet.

Moreover, don't give your bunny rabbit so many veggies that he starts to eat them only and neglect his pellets. Veggies should be a supplement, not a main dietary staple.

Fruits
While you should give your rabbit more veggies than fruits, some fruits can be a nice treat for your pet. Only give him fresh fruit, never canned (which often has added sugar). Again, give only small amounts, as too much can cause watery stools.

Rabbits tend to like apples, bananas, kiwi, and strawberry. Papaya and pineapple are also great choices, as they both contain papain, which is an enzyme that helps to keep rabbit hairballs at bay.

Be Consistant!
Rabbits tend to be quite sensitive when it comes to changes in their diet or feeding schedule. In fact, if there is a sudden change or interruption, a rabbit may lose his appetite or become ill.

Therefore, it's important to maintain consistency. Establish a feeding routine that is easy for you to stick to each and every day. Set your timer and fix the feeding schedule into your own everyday routine. Make sure you have enough rabbit food (whether hay, pellets, veggies, etc.) on hand so that you don't run out unexpectedly.

Feeding your rabbit a consistent, balanced and healthy diet is one of the best ways to ensure that your pet rabbit has a long and happy life as your prized companion.

About the author

We hope you enjoyed this article. If you would like more information on pet rabbit care, click on this link to get your FREE Rabbit Care Guide: Rabbit Care Guide. Andrea Austin, http://www.rabbits-n-bunnies.com

Para Grass The Best For Rabbit

Para Grass is an essential component of a rabbit's healthy diet. One reason why is that feeding a rabbit fresh grass on a daily basic seems to reduce rabbits tendencies to pull out and consume or chew on their own hair, which leads to hairballs. In my country, there are a lot of Para Grass. It is a native grass and grows naturally. It is a medium size sprawling grass that may be noticd covering large areas growing in water or on land. Para Grass has leaf nodes swolling with dense shaggy hairs. Rabbits also love to diet Para Grass, my caretake always feeds me Para Grass but I eat it a little because I quite like Timothy Hay.

Hay Ball

I suggest that you should buy the ball with hay in it--let the rabbit chew the ball as well as the hay. Here is the Rabbit Salad Bowl that is hay and fruit salad treat contains Timothy hay, apples and cranberries. Natural woven grass bowl is safe to chew. Measures 5 in. L x 5.25 in. W x 2.75 in. D. Buy here.

Hay For Rabbit

Hay is essential to a rabbit's good health, providing roughage which reduces the danger of hairballs and other blockages and should be available 24 hours a day. Hay is very high in fiber, and your rabbit needs fresh hay every day. A rabbit younger than 6 months should have alfalfa hay, but and older rabbit should have timothy hay or grass hay because it has fewer calories and calcium content than alfalfa hay. You can put hay in the ball. I can eat it and play the ball altogether.

What Should The Rabbit Eat?

Do you know I'm a vegetarian? I don't eat meat. Rabbit food should be made of good quality pellets, fresh hay (alfalfa, grass, oat or timothy) water and fresh vegetables. Anything beyond that is a "treat" and should be given in limited quantities. Rabbits need a diet that is very high fiber (at least 18%). Do not purchese more than 6 weeks worth of feed at a time, as it will become spoiled. Pellets should be limited in amount, as the rabbit grows older and hay should be available 24 hours a day. My pellets are Timothy, Briter Bunny and XtraVital. I eat them mix up. I like them. Here are my pellets.