Your rabbit’s longevity depends on its health. His health depends essentially on his regular physical activity and what he finds on his plate. The healthier and more consistent your rabbit’s diet is, the better off he will be.

Vegetarian animal par excellence, your rabbit will only eat hay and grass during its life. Thus, he does not need any animal protein and even less bread or rusk.

Your Rabbit’s Needs

Your rabbit will need a large amount of dietary fiber during his day , some vegetable protein without abusing it. As for vitamins and minerals , they are found in the hay and grass fed continuously to your rabbit.

·         The hay

Your rabbit’s diet should consist mostly of hay. This is the basis of his diet. Its fiber content prevents your rodent from getting fat and wearing down its teeth . Your bunny eats and cares at the same time. There should never be a lack of it, otherwise it will chew your upholstery or your furniture.

Your rabbit may refuse hay because it is not to his liking. As such, good hay is green . If it also has a few dandelion flowers , that’s a plus.

You can place the hay next to your rabbit’s bedding. Indeed, he often eats right after having carried out his needs. Please be careful, however, that the hay does not fall into his droppings.

·         grass

It’s the same principle as hay. It must always be present in your rabbit’s bowl. He must be able to chew it permanently in order to wear out his teeth.

·         The vegetables

They must be given with caution so as not to disturb the digestive system , which is quite fragile, of your rabbit. It’s basically greens like dill or parsley . Above all, do not give lettuce to your rabbit, which will not digest it.

·         pellets

It is a rich food that generally contains everything your rabbit needs for good health. However, beware of packets and only favor pellets intended for rabbits. Avoid seed mixtures. Like the hamster, your rabbit could sort them out and thus suffer from nutritional deficiency.

Frequency

Your rabbit constantly eats during the day. He nibbles more voluntarily at night. He must have hay and grass at will . If you opt for granules , be sure not to exceed 2 tablespoons per day.

He eats his poop

Coprophagia is normal in your rabbit. Don’t worry about him eating some poop right after he poops. These are caecotrophs , quite soft, which are rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals. Indeed, when it ingests food such as grass, your rabbit’s digestive system does not assimilate all the nutrients necessary for the good health of your rabbit. In fact, the latter will eat them again once evacuated.

Vegetables to give in small quantities

In addition , your rabbit can ingest several vegetables in very small quantities:

• asparagus
• artichoke leaves
• basil
• Beets
• Swiss chard
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• celeriac
• Cabbage, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower
• Spinach
• Radish and sunflower leaves
• Green beans
• Oregano
• Nettles
• parsley, dandelion
• Peppers
• Thyme
• Jerusalem artichokes

Keep your rabbit well hydrated

Your rabbit is healthy only at a body temperature of 39°C . Below and above, he will experience disturbances in his metabolism. It is therefore important that he keeps a body at the right temperature.

Like the hamster, your rabbit does not know sweat. In fact, in case of hot weather, his body temperature will quickly increase. It is therefore important to hydrate it properly with a pipette . Your rabbit will not have the reflex to drink. You will therefore have to be vigilant.

You can also offer him very hydrating vegetables in case of high temperatures:

• cucumber
• Melon
• Watermelon
• Tomato

Fruit sparingly

Fruits are actually your rabbit’s treats . Be careful, they are sweet and therefore make you fat. However, you will have to be careful about the toxicities of certain fruits.

Foods not to eat

Some foods are toxic to your rabbit.

Toxic foods : Rhubarb, garlic, potato, onions, hazelnuts, soy, sorrel, peas, sage.

In summary

Your rabbit is a herbivore par excellence. Animal proteins are to be avoided. In addition, his diet can be supplemented with certain other foods such as vegetables, pellets or fruits. Your rabbit’s diet consists of:

• Continuous hay and grass
• pellets
• Vegetables and plants
• Fruits match sweets

Your rabbit eats all day and nibbles at night. It should not be overfed, otherwise it will get fat (a dwarf rabbit should not exceed 2 kg for example). You must attach yourself, especially in periods of high heat, to hydrate it well.