Yes, rabbits eat hay as a primary part of their diet. Hay provides the necessary fiber for their digestive system and helps wear down their teeth, which continuously grow. It is important to provide rabbits with fresh hay daily.
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!
It helps keep their digestive tract moving, and keeps them from getting indigestion and constipation. They can't live on just hay though since it is low in calories and doesn't include all the nutrients they need. It also helps to keep their teeth in check. Rabbits' teeth are always growing, so when they graze on hay it helps wear their teeth back down.
Timothy hay is a type of grass hay that is commonly fed to herbivorous animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas. It is high in fiber, which helps promote digestive health in these animals. Timothy hay is also a good source of nutrients and helps wear down their constantly growing teeth.
To stay healthy and happy, rabbits should at lots and lots of hay every day. You don't have to measure it: rabbits should have unlimited access to hay at all times, and they should eat as much of it as they want.Hay is good because it:- wears down the teeth- keeps the gut moving- encourages lots of water drinking, which lessens chances of urine sludge, bladder stones, infections- keeps the bunny entertained and lessens destructive behaviourAs a minimum, a rabbit should eat its own size in hay every day. If your bunny isn't eating enough hay, you'll have to do things to encourage him or her to eat more. Some ideas include:Remove uneaten hay from the day before and give fresh hay every day (even if this seems wasteful - it isn't if it gets your bunny to eat more hay). After all, not every strand of hay is of the same quality, and rabbits generally enjoy rooting through the pile to find the best pieces.Try giving two or more small piles instead of one big pile.Put hay in the litter box, or in a feeder above the box.Stuff hay in plain cardboard tubes (like the inside of paper towel or toilet paper roll) - this makes a great edible toy!Offer a wide variety of hay. Even the same kinds of hay from two farms/brands offers some variety. Healthy adult rabbits should generally stick to grass hays only, no alfalfa/lucerne or other legume hays (like clover) - these are good for juveniles (under 8 months), pregnant/nursing bunnies, underweight older rabbits, and in some other instances. There are many kinds of grass hay:- timothy- orchard grass- brome- meadow grass- fescue- bluegrass- reed canary grass- and (occasionally) grain grasses like ryegrass, oat grass, wheat grass
Hay that is comprised of brome grass. Seriously, brome is a type of perennial cool-season grass that is used for hay and pasture. Species of brome include Smooth Brome and Meadow Brome, among many other species and cultivars.
Hay that is comprised of brome grass. Seriously, brome is a type of perennial cool-season grass that is used for hay and pasture. Species of brome include Smooth Brome and Meadow Brome, among many other species and cultivars.
Yes, any kind of pet rabbit can eat hay. Hay is the most important part of a pet rabbit's diet! See the related question below for more info about a healthy rabbit diet. Timothy hay (a kind of grass hay) is best as a staple for adults, whereas alfalfa hay is good for young and pregnant rabbits. Adult rabbits can eat other varieties of grass hay, too (like brome, orchard grass, meadow grass), but legume hays (like alfalfa) aren't good for them.
Yes, rabbits eat hay as a primary part of their diet. Hay provides the necessary fiber for their digestive system and helps wear down their teeth, which continuously grow. It is important to provide rabbits with fresh hay daily.
What is molded hay?Do you mean moldy hay? No, rabbits can't eat hay that has mold on it. Mold is bad for rabbits, just like it's bad for people. Give your rabbit fresh hay that smells sweet, with no signs of mold or rot.Do you mean hay that has been pressed and shaped by a mold, like a hay cube? Yes, you can give this to your bunny. It's important that rabbits eat lots and lots of hay. Some rabbits don't like hay cubes. If your rabbit doesn't really eat his hay cubes, then you have to give loose hay instead, because you have to encourage as much hay eating as possible. If your rabbit does eat hay cubes, then you can give her as many as you want. Some people find using hay cubes instead of loose hay is better for their allergies.See the related questions below for more info and helpful links.
Pros of farming Brome hay include it being good for a horse's diet, and it helps the soil by helping to prevent erosion. Cons of farming Brome hay include the need to harvest at the right time. The hay loses nutrients if it is not harvested before it has fully bloomed.
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!
I was actually just talking to this woman I am buying a horse from and we were talking about what needs to be in hay. Try avoiding grass and weeds in your hay. The hay should be green when its rolled and not yellow/brown because there is more protein if it's green. Lots of alfalfa. I can't give a good percentage, but make sure you have lots. I'm not sure about brome... But tomothy isn't as important as alfalfa so I'm just going to say anywhere from 5-25%.
hay.
Alfalfa is very healthy for young rabbits under 7 months old. From 7 to 12 months, the rabbit should slowly transition to an adult rabbit's diet (from alfalfa hay to grass hay). Healthy adult rabbits shouldn't eat alfalfa (except maybe in small occasional portions as a treat): adult rabbits should eat grass hays instead (like timothy, orchard, meadow, brome, etc). Alfalfa is too high in protein for adult rabbits, but it's perfect for growing baby rabbits; it's also sometimes good for sick/underweight adults, pregnant/nursing rabbits, and other adult rabbits who need extra protein for some reason. Alfa-Chews that are made of 100% alfalfa hay are great for young rabbits (under 1 year); if they contain other ingredients, though, they may not be healthy and should be avoided unless you know for sure they're safe.
hay(grass but not crab grass that's bad for them) some seeds and very little fruits
Mini Rex rabbits have the same dietary needs as all pet rabbits. The only special concern is, because they're small, they might need smaller portions!Fresh alfalfa is sometimes offered to rabbits as a treat, but it shouldn't be a normal part of your rabbit's diet. Treats should be strictly limited: too much will lead to illness.Alfalfa hay is recommended for pregnant and nursing rabbits, baby rabbits (under 7 months), and sometimes sick/underweight rabbits. Adult rabbits should not eat alfalfa hay, except maybe a small bit now and again as a treat, because it's too high in protein and calories. Healthy adult rabbits (including Mini Rexs) should eat grass hay instead (like timothy, orchard grass, meadow grass, brome, Bermuda).