Written by The Rabbit Hole Hay Team
New to owning a rabbit? The question of "What type of bunny food should you be feeding your rabbit?" is more than likely at the front of your mind.
A house rabbit's diet should be made up of mostly of grass hay, with a mix of fresh vegetables and good quality pellets. They also need to have constant access to water, whether in a bowl or bottle. Any other kind of food is considered a treat, like fruits, and should be given in limited quantities.
The best way to determine what type of food is best for your rabbit, consider and factor in the age of your rabbit.
Grass hay is an important staple in the diet of rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas. For rabbits 7 months and older and guinea pigs 6 months and older, grass hay should make up 80% of their diet. For chinchillas older than a year, grass hay should make up 75% of their diet. The constant foraging and grazing encouraged by hay helps to keep them physically active and mentally stimulated. It also helps to wear down their teeth while the long strand fiber helps to keep their digestion regular and functioning properly.
Timothy Hay, Orchard Grass, and Mountain Grass are high in fiber and low in both protein and calcium content, which is ideal for keeping the digestive tracts of rabbits and other small animals functioning properly. Timothy Hay can be fed free-choice to your rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and other small animals, and should be a mainstay of any small herbivore's diet. Free-choice feeding means that the hay is constantly available and the animals can balance their own diet, without increased risk of weight gain or digestion issues.
Alfalfa Hay has a thicker stem and lots of elliptical leaves compared to the long thin leaves found on grass hays. The leaves run all along the thick and pliable stock. While it’s commonly referred to as Alfalfa Hay, it’s actually a legume (beanstalk). Full of protein and nutrients, it’s perfect for growing rabbits between the ages of 3 weeks and 7 months. Mature rabbits can only eat a limited amount of Alfalfa due to the high levels of protein and calcium. It’s crucial that you transition your small pet to a grass hay as soon as they are old enough, otherwise they’ll end up facing major health issues such as obesity, digestion and urinary tract issues, along with an increase risk of bladder stones.
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Offering Timothy Hay, Orchard Grass, Mountain Grass or Alfalfa Hay for your rabbit or small pet in fun and innovative ways can increase consumption if you having issues with them eating enough. Here are two ideas you can try:
Hay is the most important part of what rabbits eat when it comes to bunny food, but rabbits do enjoy many different kinds of vegetables, fruits, and pellets in their diets. A diverse diet allows your rabbit to experience other tastes and foods while allowing them to get other nutrients into their system. Find the right hay for your rabbits or small pets and watch how much they enjoy eating!