Best food for baby bunny


Feeding Your Rabbit | VCA Animal Hospital

Rabbits are herbivores (plant eaters) and are considered grazers, in that they eat continuously. They have complex digestive systems and are very efficient at processing food. They also have very specific dietary needs. If you introduce new foods too quickly, or feed inappropriate food choices, the rabbit's normal digestive flora (normal bacteria) will be disturbed, gas- and toxin-producing bacteria can overgrow, and the rabbit may become very sick and possibly die.

What do rabbits eat?

Rabbits should have a daily diet of mostly hay, a smaller amount of fresh vegetables, and a limited number of pellets. Hay is the most important part of a rabbit's daily intake. Unlimited, high-quality grass hay, such as Timothy, orchard or brome, should make up the bulk of a rabbit's diet. Grass hay is high in fiber, which is critical to maintaining a rabbit’s healthy digestive tract. While young, growing rabbits can eat any type of grass hay, alfalfa hay is not recommended for adult rabbits, as it is too rich in protein and too high in calcium.

Timothy pellets can be offered at approximately 1/8-1/4 cup per 5 lbs (2.25 kg) of bodyweight. Over-feeding pellets to adult rabbits is a common cause of obesity and soft stool (caused by an overgrowth of abnormal bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract), as pellets are generally low in fiber and high in carbohydrates. In addition to hay, wild rabbits eat a lot of other fresh vegetation.

A pet rabbit's diet should be supplemented with a variety of leafy green vegetables every day. Rabbits can consume as many vegetables as they want to each day as long as they do not get diarrhea and as long as the vegetables are not high in carbohydrates, as carrots and potatoes are. Variety is important. Introduce new vegetables slowly and in small quantities, and monitor for soft feces, diarrhea, or signs of gas pain.

"Carrots should be fed sparingly, as they are very high in carbohydrate and may upset GI bacterial flora."

Particularly good vegetables include the dark leafy greens like romaine lettuce, bok choy, mustard greens, carrot tops, cilantro, watercress, basil, kohlrabi, beet greens, broccoli greens, and cilantro.

Some leafy greens, such as collard and dandelion greens, parsley, kale, Swiss chard, and escarole, should be fed in limited quantities, as they are high in calcium and may contribute to the development of calcium-based bladder stones if fed in excess. Other acceptable vegetables include broccoli, green peppers, Brussel sprouts, endive, wheat grass, radicchio, and squash. Iceberg or head lettuce should not be fed, as it is mainly water and contains few nutrients.

Carrots should be fed sparingly, as they are very high in carbohydrate and may upset GI bacterial flora. A small amount of many different vegetables is much better than a large amount of one food item.

Young rabbits, under approximately 7-8 months old, should be fed alfalfa pellets and alfalfa hay free-choice; they need the extra protein and calcium as they grow. They, too, can have a variety of vegetables. At approximately 7 months, they must be weaned onto an adult diet, as described above, since their growth slows down.

How often should I feed my rabbit?

Rabbits should be fed and provided with fresh water daily; hay should always be available. As nibblers, they should have food available at all times.

Do I need to give my rabbit vitamins?

No, rabbits do not require extra vitamins. They just need a varied, high-fiber diet.

Can I offer my rabbit treats?

Yes, but first be sure to check with your veterinarian about the types of treats that are recommended. Rabbits certainly can become overweight if fed an abundance of high-calorie treats. Cookies, nuts, seeds, grains, and bread should not be fed to rabbits.

"Cookies, nuts, seeds, grains, and bread should not be fed to rabbits."

Fruits can be fed in very limited quantities – no more than 1-2 tablespoons of high-fiber fresh fruit (such as apple, pear, or berries) every 1-2 days. The high sugar content in fruits (and even carrots) may upset the normal GI tract bacteria if given in excess.

What are the water requirements of rabbits?

Fresh water should be available 24 hours a day. Some rabbits prefer water bowls, and others prefer sipper bottles. If you offer water in a sipper bottle, be sure to inspect it for clogs and fill it with clean water daily. If you offer your rabbit water in a bowl, make sure the rabbit does not spill it in its cage or soil it with feces.

Is there anything else I should know?

Rabbits need to chew to maintain the health of their continuously growing teeth. Chew toys should always be available; hard wooden chew toys (blocks and sticks) and cardboard are best.

"Rabbits engage in coprophagy, which means they eat their own feces."

Rabbits engage in coprophagy, which means they eat their own feces. This occurs at night, and these fecal pellets are different from the ones normally excreted and seen by the owners. They are called cecotropes, cecal droppings, nocturnal droppings, or night droppings. They are usually small, soft or pasty, darker, and have a strong fermented or sweet smell. These pellets serve as a rich source of nutrients for the rabbit, specifically protein and vitamins B and K. Most owners never observe this behavior, as it happens in the early hours of the morning. If you do, remember that it is normal and necessary for the health of your rabbit.

A Healthy Diet For Young Rabbits

Many people bring home a rabbit when they are still just a young bunny. But most of the information you find about rabbit care and health is directed toward adult rabbits. You may find very helpful information about how to keep an adult rabbit on a healthy diet, but what about your new baby bunny?

Young rabbits are growing bunnies! They have special dietary needs that differ from their adult counterparts. The amount that you feed your rabbit and even the type of food that they need is different for a young bunny. Then, of course, there is a transition period. As your rabbit grows up, they’ll need to be safely transitioned from a young rabbit diet to an adult rabbit diet.


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Baby bunnies (under 8 weeks old)

Baby rabbits should not be separated from their mother until they are older than 2 months. This helps to ensure that the baby rabbits have developed a fully functioning immune system by digesting their mother’s milk and cecal droppings. There are many states in the U.S. that even ban the sale of rabbits under 2 months because of the danger it poses to the newborn rabbit.

Baby rabbit diet

Baby bunnies, also called kittens, should not be weaned off of their mother’s milk until they are about 8 weeks, or 2 months, of age. These tiny bunnies need the high concentration of fat and protein that is found in rabbit milk so that they can grow up big and strong. The babies also depend on the antibodies they receive from their mother’s milk to protect them from infection and disease since they don’t have a fully functioning immune system of their own yet.

When they are babies, rabbits need to have access to their mother’s milk. They should not be fully weaned until they are 8 weeks old.

Once the kittens are about 3 or 4 weeks old, they will start exploring a little bit around the nest area. At this point, it will be okay to start introducing solid foods into their diet. You can provide some alfalfa hay and alfalfa pellets for the babies to munch on, but their main food source will still be the milk from their mother. 

As the babies reach 7-8 weeks old, the amount of dry pellets and hay should be increased so they have some to munch on all the time. However, they should still have access to their mother during this time so they can drink milk. They’ll also be able to eat some of her cecal droppings to improve their immunity and digestion. The baby rabbits will also start to produce their own cecotropes as their digestive systems begin working properly. You should also make sure your rabbits have access to fresh water as they are weaned off of their mother’s milk.

AgeDiet
0-3 WeeksMother’s milk
3-7 WeeksMother’s milk and some access to alfalfa hay and alfalfa pellets
7-8 WeeksMother’s milk and constant access to alfalfa hay and alfalfa pellets

Abandoned or orphaned baby bunnies

If you have orphaned or abandoned rabbits that cannot drink their mother’s milk, do not replace it with cow’s milk. There are no direct replacements you can buy for rabbit milk, so the best alternatives you can use are kitten formula or goat’s milk. A milk replacer for puppies is also an option if you can’t find one of the former. 

In these cases, you will have to attempt to syringe feed the baby bunnies until they are able to drink for themselves. You will need to syringe feed your babies 2 times per day.

Sadly, if a rabbit is orphaned there are high chances that they will not survive. Baby rabbits have very delicate digestion, and it’s just too easy for something to go wrong. The House Rabbit Society offers some advice to care for orphaned or abandoned domestic rabbits:

AgeAmount to Feed
Newborn2.5 mL twice a day
1 Week Old6-7 mL twice a day
2 Weeks Old12-13 mL twice a day
3-6 Weeks Old15 mL twice a day
Young rabbits should have access to alfalfa hay and pellets. They should also be introduced to leafy greens and have a small amount on a daily basis.

Young rabbits (2-6 months)

Once a young rabbit reaches 2 months old, they should be separated from their mother and have a diet of all solid food. However, they will still have a diet that differs from adult rabbits. These bunnies are still growing a lot! They need more protein and calcium in their diets to make sure they grow up to be healthy rabbits.

Hay

Unlike adult rabbits, who should receive mostly timothy hay, young rabbits should have a supply of alfalfa hay. Alfalfa hay has a much higher amount of protein and calcium, which makes it ideal for a growing bunny. You’ll want to make sure your rabbit has an unlimited amount of alfalfa hay, so they’ll always have something to munch on.

Hay should be a large portion of your rabbit’s diet because it promotes good digestion and healthy teeth. It’s not going to make up as large a percentage of the diet as it does for adult rabbits, but you still want to make sure your young bunny is munching on hay every day.

Luckily, alfalfa hay tends to be yummier for rabbits, making it more likely they will munch on it. Alfalfa hay is slightly sweeter and softer than adult rabbit timothy hay, so usually, young rabbits will be happy to nibble on it.

Some rabbits prefer to eat hay from higher levels. Try purchasing or creating a hanging hay rack or a raised hay trough that can be attached to the side of the rabbit enclosure.

Pellets

Pellets are very important to a young rabbit’s diet. This rabbit food has higher levels of proteins, nutrients, and calcium than hay, and it’s made to help rabbits put on weight. Young rabbits should be given an alfalfa-based pellet blend because it will promote healthy growth for young rabbits.

You want to make sure to give your young rabbit a healthy brand of pellets. Stay away from any blend that has lots of colorful pieces, or dried pieces of fruits, vegetables or seeds. These have added sugar, and usually include pieces that are bad for a rabbit’s digestive system.

Instead, opt for a bag of just plain, brown pellets. Check the ingredients to make sure that Alfalfa hay (or alfalfa grass) is the number one ingredient on the list.

I recommend Oxbow’s pellets for young rabbits. Oxbow is a well-known and respected brand in the rabbit community. They have fortified pellets made with a healthy list of ingredients and all the necessary vitamins and nutrients to help your rabbit grow up healthy.

How much dry food should you give your young rabbit?

Most guides for a young rabbit diet will encourage you to give your rabbit an unlimited supply of pellets. However, I offer this advice with some caution because you want to make sure your rabbit is also eating their hay.

Most rabbits will prefer pellets to hay. Therefore, when they have unlimited pellets available, they may end up completely ignoring their pile of hay. Watch your rabbit to see what their behavior is. If giving them unlimited pellets means they don’t touch their hay at all, then you will need to limit their pellets a little bit. 

If your young rabbit is ignoring their hay and eating only pellets, then limit the pellets to about ¼ cup per day for every 2 pounds that a rabbit weighs. This is not an exact measurement, and you may need to adjust the amount for your rabbit. Watch your rabbit to make sure they are still energetic and happy, and be sure they are maintaining healthy body weight as they grow.

Leafy greens

When a rabbit is about 3 months old, you can start to introduce some leafy greens into their diet.

Take it slow and only introduce one type of leafy green vegetable at a time. This will help to ensure that nothing is causing an imbalance in your rabbit’s digestion. 

The first time you give your rabbit a new leafy green you want to give them only a small amount to introduce the new food. Only give them 2-3 sprigs of parsley, for example. Over the next couple of days, you can increase the amount that you give your rabbit as their digestion gets used to the new food.

After you’ve given one type of green for a week, you can introduce another kind. Even as your rabbit grows to be an adult, you’ll want to introduce new foods slowly.

Try to give your rabbit their food at the same time every day to get them used to a daily routine.
How much leafy greens should you give your young rabbit?

You don’t want to give your young bunny too many leafy greens at this stage in their life. Their digestion is more sensitive right now and can more easily become unbalanced. Therefore, you want to very gradually increase the amount of green you give your rabbit until you give them about 1 cup per day for a 5-pound rabbit.

You can start to diversify the leafy greens that your rabbit eats. Giving your rabbit three varieties of greens per day is an ideal goal to have. But you still want your rabbit’s main foods to be their pellets and hay.

Treats

It’s best to avoid giving young rabbits any sweet treats for the time being. Their digestion is still developing at this time and can easily be unbalanced by the introduction of highly sugary foods. 

These sweet foods that you should avoid giving young rabbits are foods that are typically considered healthy for humans. Fruits like berries, bananas, and apples have a high sugar content for rabbits, and vegetables like carrots, tomatoes, and bell peppers do too. This means you should not give your rabbit too many fruits and vegetables during this stage in their lives. Sweet human foods, like candy and cookies, should never be given to rabbits.

Water bowls are usually the better option for a pet rabbit. Sometimes a rabbit will be a sloppy drinker or try to flip over the bowl. In those cases a water bottle is a good option.

Water

By this time, your young rabbit should be weaned off of their mother’s milk and should be fully independent. This means they should have constant access to fresh water so they can stay healthy and hydrated.

It’s best if you can give your rabbit their water in a dish instead of a bottle since this is a more natural way to drink. However, there are some occasions where you will want to provide them with a bottle instead.

  • If your rabbit is a messy drinker. If having a bowl means your rabbit ends up getting soaked with water because they are a sloppy drinker, then you’ll want to give them a bottle for the time being. Try to reintroduce a bowl after a couple of months and see if they’re a little bit neater.
  • If your rabbit flips over their bowls. You don’t want your rabbit to flip over their water bowl and have no more water until you notice the mess. You can try giving your rabbit a heavier, ceramic bowl, but you also may have to give them a water bottle instead.
You may need to adjust your rabbit’s diet as they get older, but they will still need access to all the basics: hay, leafy greens, water, and some pellets.

Transitioning to an adult diet (6 months – 1 year)

After rabbits reach 6 months old, they will need to be slowly transitioned to a healthy adult diet. During this time, the young rabbits are still growing, so they’ll need more food than adult rabbits, however, adjustments should be made to the diet over time and not all at once.

As with a young rabbit diet, you don’t want to make any drastic changes to a rabbit’s transitional diet in a short period of time. You want to make sure that you give your rabbit’s digestion time to adjust to their healthy adult diet.

You can get fun toys for your rabbit where you can hide treats in a pile of hay. This will encourage your rabbit to munch on hay until they can get to the yummy treat.

Hay

Timothy is much healthier for an adult rabbit diet than alfalfa hay. When your rabbit reaches 6 months old, you’ll want to start to transition them to a timothy-based diet and slowly phase out the alfalfa hay.

To do this, you’ll first want to add in small handfuls of the timothy hay to the alfalfa hay your rabbit already gets. Over the next number of months, you’ll want to increase the percentage of timothy hay you give your rabbit and decrease the amount of alfalfa hay they get.

Unfortunately, this transition can be difficult for many rabbits. Alfalfa hay is usually much tastier and easier to eat than timothy hay. Many young rabbits will protest the change. What can you do to encourage your picky rabbit to eat their hay?

  • Mix in other types of hay. Timothy hay is best for rabbits, but there are other kinds that are also good for a rabbit’s digestion. Add in handfuls of other grass-based hays, such as orchard hay, oat hay, or meadow hay to make the transition more appetizing to your young rabbit.
  • Look for fresh brands of hay. Fresh hay tastes better than old, browned hay. I like to get my hay from an online store called Small Pet Select. They have impressed me with the quality of their hay and I never hesitate to recommend them. Check out their timothy hay for your growing bunny (and get 15% off your first order by using the code BUNNYLADY at checkout)
  • Place the hay near the litter box. Rabbits like to munch and poop at the same time, so placing the new timothy hay near the litter box can encourage them to nibble on it.
  • Hide treats in hay. You can hide dried herbs or pieces of dried fruit in the hay pile. You could even make toys with toilet paper tubes where you hide a treat in the middle and cover it with hay.

Pellets

Just like with hay, you’ll want to transition your rabbit from alfalfa-based rabbit food pellets to timothy-based rabbit food pellets. Your rabbit is still growing during this time, but not as rapidly as they do during the first 6 months. They won’t require as much excess protein and calcium that the alfalfa pellets give them.

As with the alfalfa pellets, you’ll want to make sure the timothy mixture you give your rabbit does not have any extra colorful pieces in it. Excess sugar is bad for a rabbit’s health and digestion, so sweet fruits, and vegetables should only be given as treats.

I again recommend the Oxbow brand. They have Garden Select Pellets for adult rabbits, making it easy to transition from the young rabbit pellets.

When transitioning your rabbit to a new food, you want to take it slow. Don’t replace all of your rabbit alfalfa pellets with timothy pellets all at once, since this could be a shock to their digestion. Instead over the course of 3-4 months, you’ll want to slowly decrease the percentage of the alfalfa pellets you give your rabbit and increase the amount of timothy pellets.

  • Month 1: 75% alfalfa pellets + 25% timothy pellets
  • Month 2: 50% alfalfa pellets + 50% timothy pellets
  • Month 3: 25% alfalfa pellets + 75% timothy pellets
  • Month 4: All timothy pellets

You will also need to decrease the amount of pellets you give your rabbit during this period of time. They are still growing bunnies, so you’ll want to give them more pellets than an adult rabbit, but you’ll want to limit the amount you give them.

During this transitional stage of your rabbit’s life, you’ll want to give them about ¼ cup of pellets for every 3 pounds that they weigh. Once your rabbit reaches their adult weight, you’ll want to reduce the amount even further to about ¼ cup for every 5 pounds that your rabbit weighs.

Leafy Greens

You can also start to increase the amount of fresh leafy greens you give your rabbit on a daily basis. As their digestion is able to handle more variety, you can double the amount that you give your rabbit. 

How much leafy green vegetables should a rabbit have daily?

Weight of the rabbitMaximum amount of leafy greens
2 lbs1 cup
3 lbs1.5 cups
4 lbs2 cups
5 lbs2. 5 cups
6 lbs3 cups
7 lbs3.5 cups
8 lbs4 cups
9 lbs4.5 cups
10 lbs5 cups

You still want to be sure to introduce new leafy greens gradually, but your rabbit can have a lot of different varieties. Try to give them a lot of choices to find out what they like best. For some ideas try these: 

  • Arugula
  • Basil
  • Bok choy
  • Broccoli leaves
  • Butter lettuce
  • Cabbage
  • Carrot Tops
  • Cilantro
  • Collard greens
  • Dandelion greens
  • Dill
  • Frisee lettuce
  • Leafy lettuce
  • Kale
  • Lemongrass
  • Mint
  • Oregano
  • Parsley
  • Peppermint
  • Radicchio
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Spinach
  • Spring greens
  • Thyme
  • Turnip greens
  • Watercress
  • Wheatgrass
  • Yu choy
If your rabbit is overly enthusiastic about treats and tends you bite your finger, use a spoon to help them improve their aim.

Treats

Once your rabbit reaches 6 months old, you can start to introduce some yummy treats for them. You do not want to give your rabbit too many treats. That can mess with their balanced diet and cause problems with their digestion. Keep the treats you give your young rabbit to 1 tablespoon or less per day.

As with all other foods, you want to introduce treats to your rabbit slowly. The first time you give a new type of fruit or vegetable to your rabbit, only give them a very small piece to make sure their digestion can handle it. Over the next couple of days, you can increase the amount of that treat you give your rabbit a little bit, but continue to limit the total amount of sweet foods you give your rabbit.

What kinds of treats are safe for rabbits?

Bags of mixed treats marketed toward rabbits in pet stores are often not good for rabbits. They usually contain a lot of added sugars or seeds and nuts that rabbits shouldn’t be eating. So you want to be careful about the types of treats you give your rabbit.

Some treats that are safe for rabbits:

  • Fresh or dried fruits and vegetables (make sure there is no added sugar)
  • Baked hay treats. Oxbow has a variety of flavors of baked hay treats. These are especially good because they are hay-based, making them healthy for your rabbit.
  • Dried herbs. The only place where I’ve seen herb blends being sold is Small Pet Select. They have a number of herbal blends that also have mild medicinal properties to keep your rabbit healthy. (don’t forget to take 15% off your order with the code BUNNYLADY)
  • DIY treats. You can try making your own treats using your rabbit’s pellets and some fresh fruit and vegetables.

How to tell if your young rabbit has a healthy diet

All rabbits grow at different rates, so the specific guidelines given are not always accurate for your specific rabbit’s situation. During this growing phase, you will need to keep an eye on your rabbit to make sure they are healthy and no adjustments need to be made to their diet.

How to know your rabbit is healthy:

  • Energy levels. Most young rabbits are energetic little balls of fluff. They’ll be zooming around, and they’ll be very curious about the world around them.
  • Healthy appetite. Young growing rabbits with lots of energy should also be eating quite a bit. Make sure they are eating both their pellets and their hay for a balanced diet.
  • Healthy pooping. Young rabbit poop should be round ‘cocoa puff’ looking droppings. They should not be squishy or deformed. Rabbits also poop little, soft clusters called cecotropes that rabbits should reingest. If you notice a lot of these around uneaten, it may mean your rabbit is not eating enough hay.
  • Bodyweight. While you are petting your rabbit, check to make sure they have a healthy amount of fat as they grow. You should be able to feel their spine, ribs, and hips, but these bones should not feel sharp to the touch.
Sources:
  1. “Rabbit Food.” House Rabbit Society, https://rabbit.org/faq-diet.

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6 best foods for ornamental rabbits

Choosing the best food for your big-eared friend

Categories:

  1. The best food for rabbits with coccidiostat
  2. Best Standard Complete Foods for Ornamental Rabbits nine0008
  3. The Best Grain-Free Foods for Ornamental Rabbits

Author: Anna Sapelkina, veterinarian

Decorative rabbits often began to appear in city apartments - many people have these funny, smart creatures. With good care, they can live up to 8-12 years, and one of the most important factors is proper feeding. Rabbits are extremely delicate creatures, so the food for them must be chosen very carefully.

Lagomorph intestines are a real fiber processing factory, where workers (beneficial microorganisms) break down plant fibers, extracting nutrients from them and synthesizing vitamins. Any failure in this well-established system threatens the development of constipation, intestinal stasis (when peristalsis completely stops), flatulence, colic, which can lead to the death of the animal. nine0005

Only a balanced diet and feeding schedule can protect against such problems. The best commercial rabbit foods contain all the essentials needed for life, but they must be supplemented with hay and succulent foods. While buying low-quality concentrated food can lead to digestive problems and greatly affect the health of the pet.

nine0025 Location nine0037 Vitakraft Menu Vital for rabbits nine0037 9. 9 / 10 nine0033
Category Designation Rank
The best food for rabbits with coccidiostat 1 Fiory Karaote nine0036 9. 2 / 10
Best Standard Complete Foods for Ornamental Rabbits 1 9.8 / 10
2 Jr Farm Adult for Dwarf Rabbits nine0036 9. 8 / 10
3 Benelux Funny rabbit Special Premium 9.7 / 10 nine0036
The Best Grain-Free Foods for Ornamental Rabbits 1 Versele-Laga Cuni Narure Re-Balance
2 JR Farm Grainless mix 9.8 / 10

Best coccidiostatic rabbit food

Fiory Karaote

The food is based on nutritious granules from cereals and herbs, enriched with vitamins and minerals, as well as high-quality whole grains, peas, dried vegetables (including carrots - at least 28% in raw form). The product is enriched with an anti-coccidial agent - robenidin (additive at the rate of 36 ml of the drug per 1 kg of product) for the prevention of disease in animals, a prebiotic (inulin) to maintain the intestinal microflora, as well as yucca extract. Minerals in the form of chelates are better absorbed by the body. nine0005

Main advantages:

  • a large number of vegetables;
  • mineral chelate complexes.

Cons:

  • contains flavors.
nine0036

9.2 / 10

Rating

Reviews

This food was recommended to us by our veterinarian when one of our two rabbits had diarrhea. For the third month we have been giving only it - there are no more problems with the stool, they eat with appetite.

nine0036

Best standard complete feed for ornamental rabbits

nine0033

Vitakraft Menu Vital for rabbits nine0097

Balanced feed with lots of herbal, vegetable and cereal granules. Contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals. A large amount of coarse fiber allows the teeth to grind properly and maintains the health of the digestive system in perfect condition. Does not contain sugar. Enriched with vegetable oils - a source of essential fatty acids. Yucca extract helps to reduce unpleasant odor.

nine0004 Main advantages:

  • balanced composition.

Cons:

  • the presence of dyes.
nine0004 9.8 / 10

Rating

Reviews

We tried many other feeds, they started to have problems with the eyes, then with the coat. Only Vitacraft approached us - no problems for the third month.

nine0037

9.8 / 10

Rating

Reviews

The company already speaks for itself - the quality is on top, as always. The food is the best - looks and smells great, the rabbit loves it! Thanks to the yucca extract, the cage really did not smell so much.

nine0036

Jr Farm Adult for Dwarf Rabbits nine0097

Contains cereal flakes, grass pellets, dried fruits and vegetables, legumes, at least 5% dried green oats and large apple chips - one of the favorite treats for rabbits. The prebiotic inulin from parsnip root helps promote healthy intestinal flora. Yucca extract reduces unpleasant odor from animal secretions. Enriched with all essential vitamins and minerals.

nine0004 Main advantages:

  • balanced composition;
  • plenty of fruits, vegetables and dried herbs.

Cons:

  • transparent packaging.
nine0037

9.7 / 10

Rating

Reviews

The veterinarian advised us to choose food with vitamin C, we settled on this. The rabbit eats with pleasure, does not choose pieces. The coat is shiny and goes to the toilet well.

nine0036

Benelux Funny rabbit Special Premium nine0097

Includes fortified grain and alfalfa pellets, seeds, nuts, dried fruit, peas and rabbits' favorite carob. All components are easily digested and contribute to the strengthening and proper grinding of the animal's teeth and good peristalsis. A special packaging technology without oxygen access allows you to maximize the preservation of all useful properties.

nine0004 Main advantages:

  • attractive price;
  • balanced composition;
  • enriched with vitamin C.

Cons:

  • no.

Best grain-free rabbit food

Versele-Laga Cuni Narure Re-Balance nine0097

Lightweight, grain-free formula is suitable for pets that are prone to allergic reactions, as well as the elderly, inactive and overweight. The diet includes an increased amount of fiber (15%). The food consists of a variety of herbs, vegetables and fruits, enriched with yeast, algae, beneficial plant extracts (calendula, yucca and grape seeds), vitamins, minerals and prebiotics, it does not contain pressed granules, but only natural products. nine0005

Main advantages:

  • balanced composition;
  • high fiber content;
  • grain free.

Cons:

  • high cost.
nine0036

9.9 / 10

Rating

Reviews

Our little eared was prone to weight gain from the very beginning and grew decent sides. We tried Vercel's lightweight food, not only did he begin to lose weight a little, although he eats it with great pleasure, the coat also began to look better. The main thing is to follow the norm recommended by the manufacturer. nine0005

JR Farm Grainless mix nine0097

Grain-free natural multi-ingredient food contains dried and granulated meadow herbs, bean flakes, pieces of dried vegetables and apples, flax and caraway seeds. It has a low calorie content and a large amount of fiber (19%). Completely satisfies the animal's need for vitamins and minerals. Included in the composition of chamomile, fennel and mint, help relieve inflammation and pain in the intestines with increased gas formation. Enriched with ascorbic acid. Hard granules provide sufficient abrasion of growing teeth. nine0005

Key benefits:

  • high fiber content;
  • grain free;
  • good value for money;
  • contains vitamin C.

Cons:

  • no
nine0036

9. 8 / 10

Rating

Reviews

I really like this food, the composition surprises: it even contains nettle and strawberry leaves! No artificial ingredients and unnecessary grains that the rabbit does not eat anyway. With this food, you can even not give hay, there are so many herbs in it. And the animal is always in good shape. nine0005

What is the best food for ornamental rabbits?

Any of the listed complete feeds is suitable for the basic nutrition of normal healthy animals. 2-3 times a day, it is necessary to pour the amount of food that is indicated in the recommendations on the package. If the animal does not finish its portion, it should be reduced. At least 20% of the diet should be succulent feed. Hay and water should be freely available at all times. nine0005

For skin problems, and for older and obese animals, especially those with constipation, grain-free formulas with a higher fiber content are best suited. Feeds containing coccidiostatics should not be given continuously, but sometimes as a preventive measure, as there is evidence that with constant use they can disrupt the natural microflora of the rabbit's caecum.

Rate the article

4.1 / 5 nine0005

Total votes - 7, rating - 4.1

Updated on 02/08/2018 is subjective and is not an advertisement

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Rating of TOP-10 popular feeds for domestic rabbits

An ornamental rabbit, unlike those grown for meat, requires a special, balanced diet containing dry vegetables, fruits, herbs, grains. Such food will provide him with good health and a beautiful appearance. There are more than 50 types of mixtures for these pets on the market, but only a few of them can be named the best foods for rabbits. nine0005

Our today's review contains the most delicious, safe, affordable and effective products!


Photo: https://mrhvost.com

Contents:

1. Versele-Laga Nature Cuni rabbit food

2. Fiory Superpremium Karaote rabbit food

3. JR Farm Grainless Complete dwarf rabbit food

4 Food for rabbits Benelux Grain Free Mix

5. Treats for rabbits Vitakraft Crackers Original beets and vegetables

6. Benelux Premium rabbit food (750 g)

7. Fiory Micropills Adult dwarf rabbit food

8. Rabbit food Native food With vegetables

9. Vitakraft rodent food for rabbits Honey crackers 2 pcs ( 0.05 kg)

10. Complete feed for decorative rabbits Padovan Premium coniglietti

Food for rabbits Versele-Laga Nature Cuni


Photo: https://market. yandex.ru

Suitable for rabbits prone to allergies and obesity. Assorted grain-free vegetables are used as a source of fiber, while additional minerals and algae make up for the deficiency of nutrients that occurs with a limited diet. Additionally, the food is rich in vegetable proteins and useful substances of natural origin, such as fructooligosaccharides. This has a beneficial effect on the activity and appearance of the pet. nine0005

Versele-Laga Nature Cuni rabbit food

Advantages:

  • natural texture, no compressed granules
  • rabbits like
  • rich in minerals and nutrients

Disadvantages:

  • high consumption, one package lasts 10-14 days depending on the weight and size of the rabbit

Rabbit food Fiory Superpremium Karaote


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The food is based on nutritious granules from cereals and herbs, enriched with vitamins and minerals, as well as high-quality whole grains, peas, dried vegetables (including carrots - at least 28% in raw form). The product is enriched with an anti-coccidial agent - robenidin (additive at the rate of 36 ml of the drug per 1 kg of product) for the prevention of disease in animals, a prebiotic (inulin) to maintain the intestinal microflora, as well as yucca extract. Minerals in the form of chelates are better absorbed by the body. nine0005

Fiory Superpremium Karaote rabbit food

Advantages:

  • lots of vegetables
  • mineral chelates

Faults:

  • contains flavors

JR Farm Grainless Complete


Dwarf Rabbit Food Photo:https://market.yandex.ru

JR Farm Grainless mix is ​​a complete diet for daily feeding of ornamental rabbits. The composition is completely natural and consists of a mixture of dried herbs with the addition of apple cubes, carrots, parsnips, beets, fennel. Flax seeds are a source of Omega 3 and 6 acids that are important for skin and coat health, and mint and cumin have a beneficial effect on the digestive tract. The color of the granules is uniform, which prevents selective eating or overeating of a fluffy pet, maintains a balanced diet. The special shape and optimal hardness of the feed contributes to the natural grinding of the pet's teeth. The formula excludes dyes, flavors, flavors or preservatives that cause allergies in animals. The mixture is sold in transparent bags of 1.35 kg. This allows you to consider the contents when buying and make sure the integrity of the granules, and a large volume of packaging is enough for a long time. nine0005

JR Farm Grainless Complete Dwarf Rabbit Food

Benefits:

  • improves digestion
  • grinds teeth
  • balanced formula without harmful additives
  • eliminates overeating
  • adds shine to wool
  • transparent packaging

Faults:

  • can be difficult to find in stores
  • cost

Rabbit food Benelux Grain Free Mix


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Benelux Bnl Grain Free rabbit grain-free rabbit food provides good nutrition throughout the day. The composition of 90% includes herbs - calendula flowers, nettle leaves, mint, chamomile. They well satisfy hunger and increase immunity in animals, protecting them from various diseases. It also contains fruits (apple), vegetables (beets), legumes and herbs (dill). Thanks to this, this food does not bother pets for a long time. Granulated rabbit food also includes flax seeds, which support the normal functioning of the digestive tract. It has a not very coarse grinding and rabbits chew it quite easily. It also reduces the risk of selective eating of components. The mixture is sold in ready-to-use form in packs of 650 g. Due to their translucency, when buying, you can see and evaluate its contents. This amount is enough for at least 5 weeks. nine0005

Benelux Grain Free Mix Rabbit Food

Advantages:

  • no flavors
  • dye-free
  • keeps teeth hard
  • provides a balanced diet
  • low probability of overeating

Drawbacks:

  • only large packs are available for sale
  • not always available in pet shops

Treat for rabbits Vitakraft Crackers Original beets and vegetables


Photo:https://market. yandex.ru

One of the few grain-containing feeds, which includes minerals. But it takes third place in the ranking because of the obscure ingredients in the mixture. In fact, it does not sign which plants are used. It simply states "plant-derived products." On the other hand, the feed is enriched with useful substances such as mineral compounds, oils and fats. This ensures the completeness of the diet. But yucca extract reduces the unpleasant odor from rabbit feces. nine0005

Treat for rabbits Vitakraft Crackers Original beetroot and vegetables

Advantages:

  • exclusively vegetable composition
  • enriched with trace elements
  • complemented by yucca extract

Disadvantages:

  • not all rabbits like
  • vegetable and grain components are compressed into granules

Benelux Premium rabbit food (750 g)


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Contains fortified grain and alfalfa pellets, seeds, nuts, dried fruits, peas and carob, especially tasty for rabbits. All components are easily digested and contribute to the strengthening and proper grinding of the animal's teeth and good peristalsis. A special packaging technology without oxygen access allows you to maximize the preservation of all useful properties.

Benelux Premium rabbit food (750 g)

Advantages:

  • attractive price
  • balanced composition
  • enriched with vitamin C

Flaws:

  • not found

Fiory Micropills Adult


​Photo:https://market.yandex.ru

Fiory Micropills Dwarf Rabbits - a daily diet, from which grain is excluded, is intended for rabbits over 7 years old. The formula contains hay from the third cut with a low energy value. 27.5% comes from healthy fiber consumed by animals in nature. The food is also enriched with quartz for natural loosening of the teeth and borage oil as a source of fatty acids that contribute to the shine of the coat. The mineral-vitamin complex helps maintain the health of the body of older pets. The mixture is sold in tight bags of 0.85 or 2.1 kg. The zip closure makes it easy to store food. nine0005

Fiory Micropills Adult Dwarf Rabbit Food

Benefits:

  • grinds teeth
  • contains vitamins and minerals
  • adds shine to wool
  • natural grain-free composition
  • convenient packaging
  • is available in most pet stores and supermarkets

Disadvantages:

  • cost

Rabbit food Native food With vegetables


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The composition is based on vegetables - corn and beets. They normalize the work of the intestines, take care of the coat and give the mixture a pronounced taste. Due to this, the rabbits eat the delicacy with great pleasure. It also includes herbal granules that cleanse the intestines and restore microflora. To increase energy levels in animals, the manufacturer added grains - barley, oats and wheat. This contributes to rapid saturation and at the same time the work of the digestive tract is not disturbed. All components of the feed for decorative rabbits are selected and calculated in such a way as to ensure maximum digestibility and reduce the risk of allergies, obesity and addiction. Along with the pleasant herbal aroma, this makes the mixture attractive and appetizing to the rabbits. The product is available in packs of 400 g, which can be stored for several weeks or even months after opening. nine0005

Rabbit food Native food With vegetables

Advantages:

  • sealed package
  • small particles
  • easy to chew
  • optimal energy value - 220 kcal per 100 g
  • protein content - 14%

Deficiencies:

  • fiber not more than 10%
  • only sold in one package - 400 g

Vitakraft rodent food for rabbits Honey crackers 2 pcs (0.05 kg)


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Dense granules have a balanced formula and are suitable for daily nutrition without additional vitamins and additives. The composition includes branded components that reduce the unpleasant odor from the animal. The prebiotic inulin and crude fiber support the digestive system, fatty acids promote heart health and add shine to the coat. A reduced amount of calcium prevents the formation of stones in the genitourinary system. The owners note that the food improves the pet's appetite. Rabbits eat the mixture with pleasure and without a trace. Granules are sold in cartons of 600 g.

Vitakraft rodent food for rabbits Honey crackers 2 pcs (0.05 kg)

Advantages:

  • available in most pet stores
  • grinds teeth well
  • improves digestion
  • prevents the development of urolithiasis

Faults:

  • rabbits make a lot of noise when eating pellets

Complete feed for ornamental rabbits Padovan Premium coniglietti


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Padovan Premium coniglietti cereal feed mixture acts as the main food at all stages of a rabbit's life. It provides the animal with the necessary energy due to the content of carbohydrates, the source of which is cereals. Proteins are supplied with fruits (grapes and carob), vegetables (carrots, turnips, onions, peas), sunflower seeds. However, the latter in the composition of at least 12%, which is too much. Padovan Premium coniglietti also contains oils, fats, protein extracts from vegetables. Thanks to them, digestion is normalized, the microflora is restored, muscle mass is gained and the condition of the coat improves. This composition is balanced and allows you to follow a safe diet. This is one of the few feeds in the rating with coccidiostatic - diclazuril, which provides the prevention of the disease "eimeriosis". nine0005

Complete feed for ornamental rabbits Padovan Premium coniglietti

Advantages:

  • coat starts to shine after 1-2 months of use
  • optimal humidity - 12%
  • stays fresh for a long time due to packaging in modified atmosphere
  • extended shelf life without freezing
  • does not contain preservatives
  • saturates the body with vitamins A, E, D3

Faults:

  • Too many sunflower seeds

Not only the appearance of the rabbits, but also their health depends on the quality of the feed.


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