Mary Allen
There are a few things to consider when keeping and feeding dwarf rabbits to ensure that the animals are happy. Rabbits have a special kind of digestion called a stuffing stomach. It is therefore very important to feed properly so that the little fur noses stay safe and sound. We’ll show you how to properly feed your rabbit.
Rabbits Need Enough Food to Stay Healthy
Due to their digestion, dwarf rabbits are busy eating all day. For this reason, the animals are not allowed to fast like carnivores, as this would have a significant impact on their health. They are pure vegetarians and feed on fresh and dry plants. Hay should serve as a feed base, but it should not be too woody. The little fur noses can nibble this all day long.
Even so, it is important to keep the diet varied so that the rabbits get enough vital nutrients. You can also give the animals fresh food such as grass, herbs and salads, vegetables, small amounts of fruit, and twigs that they can nibble on. The fresh food should have a daily requirement of at least 200 g per kilogram of body weight of your rabbit and be composed as follows: fresh green food (grass; herbs; salads) 70%, vegetables 20%, and fruit 10%.
The animals not only have to chew regularly for their digestion, but also to wear out their teeth. Because in rabbits, the incisors and molars are constantly growing back. This is why hay is so important as a feed base. You can also put twigs, branches, and pieces of bark in the enclosure. Since bread contains too many calories, grains, and often sugar, you shouldn’t offer this to your furry friends. If the teeth are too long, they have to be shortened by a veterinarian.
Healthy Food is Important for Rabbits
You should make sure that the feed is free from pesticides and that you do not collect wild herbs and grasses on the roadside because of the exhaust gas pollution. If you want to change the food, you should do this carefully, otherwise, your little fur noses can get diarrhea. Therefore, initially only give them new fresh food to get used to in flakes.
Grain feed containing grain is also rather unsuitable for rabbits with normal energy consumption. However, if the rabbit is malnourished, pregnant, or is suckling the offspring, it may make sense to add small amounts of high-energy food. Small portions of the dry food can also be fed in winter when the rabbits are kept outside. Otherwise, make sure that grain is generally fed occasionally as a treat and should not be the main component of the diet.
Of course, drinking should not be missing in a healthy diet. It is best if you put a stable, open bowl in the enclosure for your animals or attach a water bottle. You should clean the bowls and the bottle regularly. Depending on what the rabbits eat, they can drink 40 ml to 100 ml a day.
A Bad Habit That is Essential for Rabbits’ Health
Rabbits not only eat their food but also sometimes their ball of feces. This so-called appendix feces visually distinguishes itself from the usual feces and plays a decisive role in the health of the little fur noses. This is due to the fact that intestinal bacteria only produce important minerals and vitamins during digestion. So if you notice this behavior in your animals, you must not prevent it, because otherwise, the rabbits would lack vital substances.