Bowls Are For Little Kits

Lila: Why do you dump our salad onto the floor?
Bandit: Bowls are for little kits. We are getting older.
Lila: We are still young rabbits. What’s the rush? 
Bandit: Older rabbits get more treats.
Lila: Human already gives us treats.
Bandit: I know, but those are vegetables. I want big-rabbit treats, like raisins.
Lila: How will eating from the floor help?
Bandit: It makes us look more mature.
Lila: Are you joking?
Bandit: Nope. I'm serious. We'll get more treats.
Lila: That doesn’t make sense to me.
Bandit: Just let me do the thinking.
Lila: I don’t even know how to respond to that.

Food Pellets

When given the choice, most rabbits will forego hay and just eat pellets. Pellets, regardless the quality, are manmade foods. Rabbits do not eat them in the wild. Years ago, pellets were originally manufactured to force rapid weight gain in rabbits used for meat and/or lab testing. Those pellets were not sufficient for long-term health or proper nutrition.

Though most people do feed their pet rabbit a small amount of pellets, some do not. If you do not use pellets, it is important to research what foods to give your rabbit to ensure they have a balanced, healthy diet. Information sources, such as credible rabbit-related websites and books, will help you understand daily nutrition needs and which pellets to choose (if used).

Choose Wisely

Cheap, low-quality pellets contain fillers that can cause health problems for your rabbit. Some now have genetically modified foods added which are proving to be unhealthy.

When choosing pellets, the following is recommended as a baseline: 18% fiber; 12-14% protein for adults and about 16-17% for rabbits less than 5-6 months old; calcium – no more than 1%; fat 2.5-5% and the appropriate Vitamins – A, D and E. Of course, this information can vary depending upon your information source.