How do you properly feed a rabbit?

Rabbits have a digestive tract similar to a horse! Because of that they need to eat hay everyday to keep their intestinal tract healthy. Proper nutrition is key to preventing illness in a rabbit. Feed timothy hay based rabbit pelleted food free choice until full grown, then ¼ cup per 5# rabbit per day. You can also feed alfalfa based pellets until 6 months old, but avoid afterward as it can cause sludgy urine and bladder stones due to the high calcium content. The exception to this rule is for breeding females. Feeding timothy hay free choice will provide the essential fiber needed for normal GI motility and also promote healthy bacteria which is needed to help digest food. Most importantly, it will also reduce bad bacteria that produce toxins and disease. Alfalfa hay can be fed until 6 months old, but avoid afterward unless the does are used for breeding. Oxbow on-line www.oxbowhay.com is a good source of hay and pellets. Oxbow hay and pellets can be found at the larger stores such as Pet Smart also. Hay should feel soft to the touch like dried grass, as stems and rough hay can cause wounds in the mouth which lead to infection. Fresh veggies daily, about 1-2 cups, are also important. Ideal veggies are parsley, cilantro, beet tops, kale, collard greens, romaine lettuce; avoid light colored lettuces. Carrots are fine in small amounts, but it is a vegetable with a lot of sugar compared to leafy green veggies. Remember the size of the rabbit compared to the size of the carrot – compare to feeding a carrot to another herbivore such as a horse with a similar digestive tract – even a baby carrot is quite large in comparison. Foods to avoid are: grains (wheat, corn, rice, seed mixtures), yogurt drops (rabbits don't eat yogurt and sugar in the wild), treats in general from the pet stores. These things will feed bacteria that are usually in small numbers in the GI tract, leading to overgrowth, toxin production, diarrhea, shock and death. Learn more about how to care for your rabbit at westgatepetclinicmn.com