Principles

• Rabbits are designed to survive on a minimalist diet based on plant fiber, ie hay and grass.
• Fiber is the single most important component of the rabbit diet, it promotes normal peristalsis, and the act of chewing promotes an even wear of the teeth.
• The majority of pet rabbits are overfed, mostly on concentrated dry food, with little hay, and many get little, or no exercise. Such a poor diet leads to obesity Obesity, chronic soft stools ('sticky bottom syndrome') Sticky bottom syndrome, dental disease Dental malocclusion / overgrowth and behavioral problems.

Print off the Owner factsheets on Caring for your rabbit in the winter, Feeding your rabbit   and Grass and hay to give to your clients.

Constituents - dietary requirements

A balanced diet

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Prebble J L & Meredith A L (2014) Food and water intake and selective feeding in rabbits on four feeding regimes. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 98 (5), 991-1000 PubMed.
• Harcourt-Brown F M & Friggens M T (1999) Intestinal obstruction in rabbits by locust bean seeds. Vet Rec 145 (7), 203 PubMed.
• Jenkins J R (1999) Feeding recommendations for the house rabbit. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 2 (1), 143-151 PubMed.
• Harcourt-Brown F M (1998) Pet rabbits - some common clinical problems. Waltham Focus 8, 6-13.
• Kupersmith D S (1998) A practical overview of small mammal nutrition. Semin Avian Exotic Pet Med 7 (3), 141-147 ScienceDirect.
• Harcourt-Brown F M (1996) Calcium deficiency, diet and dental disease in pet rabbits. Vet Rec 139 (23), 567-571 PubMed.
• Hillyer E V (1994) Pet rabbits. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 24 (1), 25-65 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• FEDIAF European Pet Food (2013) Nutritional Guidelines for Pet Rabbits. Website: www.coursehero.com (pdf download).
• Harcourt-Brown F M (1999) Selective Feeding in Small Animals - A Difference Between Browsing and Feeding. Vet Pract July, 10 (Letter).
• Richardson V (1999) Rabbit Nutrition. Coney Publications, Chattisham, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK.
• Cheeke P R (1987) Rabbit Feeding and Nutrition. Academic Press, Orlando, USA.