Rabbit - Diet

Feeding your rabbits

Is it true that rabbit ‘muesli’ can cause dental disease in rabbits?

Many of the health problems that vets see with rabbits are caused by their diet. It’s extremely important that you give them the right food. Lots of people have become used to feeding rabbits a bowl of rabbit ‘muesli’. But these muesli-type mixes can cause real health problems, especially with the teeth.

Does your rabbits’ food look like this?

What should I feed my rabbits?

Vets recommend the following diet for rabbits:

1. At least their own body size in good quality hay each day (so if you put the daily amount of hay next to the rabbit, it should be at least as big as the rabbit!)
2. A handful of fresh vegetables morning and evening
3. A tablespoon of commercial rabbit nuggets once daily (or twice daily if the rabbit weighs over 3.5kg)

Which greens can I feed my rabbits?

Aim to feed a few different greens each day. The lists below show some greens that are safe to feed, and some that aren’t. The list isn’t exhaustive. If you’re not sure whether you can safely feed a certain plant or vegetable to your rabbit, ask your vet for advice.

Can I give my rabbits fruit?

You should only give fruit occasionally and in small quantities because it is high in sugar. Apples, grapes, pears, plums and strawberries (including the strawberry leaves) are suitable in small amounts.

How can I safely introduce new foods to my rabbits?

Changing a rabbit’s diet suddenly can upset their digestive system, so always introduce new foods gradually over at least a week, unless your vet tells you otherwise.

Can I feed my rabbits treats?

There are natural treats available from pet shops and pet supermarkets which your rabbits will enjoy and are good for your rabbits’ teeth and digestive health. Avoid sugary treats, such as ones made with honey, as these can cause teeth problems and diarrhoea.

My rabbits are eating their droppings, is this normal?

Rabbits produce two types of droppings – hard, dry ones which are true faeces, and dark, shiny, smelly ones. These second types are called ‘caecotrophs’ and rabbits eat them, usually straight from their bottom. This enables them to get the full goodness out of their high-fibre food, so don’t be concerned if you see this.

How do I know if one of my rabbits has dental problems?

Signs include:

• Going off their food
• Drooling
• A wet chin
• Weight loss
• Discharge from the eye
• Dirty bottom

An eye discharge can develop because the abnormal tooth roots can affect the eyes, and the bottom can become dirty because the sore mouth makes licking and grooming too painful for affected rabbits.

Visit your vet if any of your rabbits show any of these signs.

There can be other causes of overgrown teeth (e.g. if the teeth don’t meet properly because of a mouth injury) but the commonest cause is being fed rabbit ‘muesli’ and not enough hay or grass (see What should I feed my rabbits?).