Do rabbits need hay

Answer 1

Rabbits less than a year old should be offered unlimited amounts of alfalfa hay, due to the high amounts of calcium in alfalfa hay: baby bunnies need calcium to build strong bones. For the same reason, alfalfa is good for pregnant/nursing rabbits.

Adult rabbits may be offered alfalfa but only in limited amounts (as a treat). Once past a year or so old, gradually transition the rabbit to grass hay, timothy, oat, brome, or orchard hay, by first mixing the alfalfa into the grass hay.

Make sure you offer 24/7 hay and plenty of fresh water to your rabbit at all times. See the related question below for more details!

Answer 2

Yes, they can, but it is recommended you feed rabbits timothy hay for coat shine, teeth, and energy and also to keep the in good shape (will fatten your rabbit slightly). You can buy hay in supermarkets and pet shops. You don't have to get timothy hay, but it is recommended. Personally , I don't give my rabbit timothy hay and she still has a shiny coat and healthy teeth and energy and she's in good shape. Remember to check the hay is dust free if your going to use regular hay.

First sentence was by FancyBoots100

The rest was by MissDaisyAnswers (Me)

Hope I Helped :)

Answer 3

Yes, rabbits should be provided with hay for four reasons:

Rabbits don't have very good digestive systems, and the hay helps push the food through their systems. I know, gross but it's the truth. Hay also has good nutritional value for them.

Hay is also good for their teeth: the grinding action of tooth-on-tooth that's required to eat the hay keeps their teeth worn down.

Hay is also good for mental stimulation: in the wild, rabbits are grazers and foragers, and pet rabbits want to be able to graze and forage, too, otherwise they can get bored and anxious.

Hay also encourages good urinary/kidney health because rabbits who eat lots of hay usually drink more water, too.

Rabbits should be encouraged to eat lots and lots and lots of hay; methods include:

- there should ALWAYS be hay available to the rabbit, 24/7

- put some hay in their litter box, or in a feeder right above it

- hay inside a cardboard roll is a good toy (like the roll inside toilet paper or paper towels)

- use a few small piles instead of one huge pile

- take away yesterday's hay and give the rabbit fresh hay: if he didn't want it yesterday, he won't want it today (not every strand is of equal quality)

Most rabbits should have grass hay only, not alfalfa. Alfalfa is widely available but it's too high in proteins and calcium for most rabbits. Alfalfa is good for juvenile rabbits (under 7 months old), pregnant and nursing rabbits, rabbits on a pellet-free diet, and some sick rabbits who need to build up strength (but only under direction of a vet). Alfalfa is also used in commercial rabbit production (meat animals). But, most adult pet rabbits should have grass hay only.

Offer a wide variety of grass hays, like hay from different companies/farms, and also different varieties. There are many varieties of grass hay: for example timothy, brome, orchard grass, fescue, meadow grass, and bluegrass; also grain hays in moderation (they're too high in carbs to be eaten too often), like ryegrass, oat grass, wheat grass.

Answer 4

No, although they do share similarities in their diet and the way they digest food.

Answer 5

No. Honey is too high in sugar for them to handle it.

Answer 6

yes, but timothy hay is best for them, its a crucial part of their diet and helps keep their teeth managed. you should feed it every day with as much as it will eat