Showing posts with label Rabbit Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rabbit Food. Show all posts

Thursday, July 21, 2011

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.




Tuesday, November 30, 2010

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

Thursday, November 18, 2010

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.

Friday, April 23, 2010

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.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

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

Saturday, February 21, 2009

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.

Friday, February 20, 2009

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.


Friday, February 13, 2009

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.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

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.