What do rabbits eat?
Hay!
Despite the iconic Bugs Bunny chomping on a carrot, asking Elmer Fudd, "What's up doc?" rabbits should not be fed carrots on a daily basis. In fact, the single most important item in your rabbit's diet is hay. You should feed your rabbit hay in unlimited quantities.
Why do rabbits need hay?
Rabbits need the long fiber in hay to help with digestion. Long fiber keeps their intestines in good working order by pushing things (such as food and ingested hair) through the gut. Pellets will provide good nutrition, but they lack the long strand fiber that rabbits need.
What kind of hay should you buy?
Grasses and grains such as timothy, orchard, or tiffany are the best kind of hay for rabbits. Clovers like alfalfa, although a favorite for many rabbits, can be too rich in protein and calcium to feed in large quantities. Alfalfa should be used as an occassional treat for most rabbits. However, alfalfa can be appropriate for growing baby bunnies and nursing does (mama rabbits), both of which require a nutrionally rich diet.
Where can you buy hay for your rabbit?
Oak Hill Farms knows what rabbits eat. Its hay, and we sell it in our online store.
Want to know more about the feeding of your rabbit?
Check out this article from the University of Miami
Hay facts:
Strand size: Rabbits need long strands of hay to keep a healthy digestive tract. We do not chop or process our hay.
Its not easy staying green: Do not be concerned if your hay has faded in color. Even faded hay retains its nutrients as long as it is stored properly. For best results, keep it in the cardboard box we ship it in and store it in a dark cool closet. Your critters will eat up the hay long before it loses its nutritional value.
