Diet
Rabbits are herbivores which means that they only eat plants. They have a special digestive system to ensure that everything that is eaten is broken down to allow all of the nutrients to be digested. Fibre that has passed through the rabbit's system but has not been properly broken down is produced as a cecotrope which the rabbit will eat when it leaves the body to allow it to go through the digestive system again. Lots of uneaten cecotropes lying in the rabbits cage will indicate possible illness or an unbalanced diet and you should visit your vet. A cecotrope looks like a mucus covered soft pellet.
A healthy diet for a pet bunny is one that closely mimics that of its wild cousins. This consists of unlimited hay and water, fresh green vegetables and food pellets with high fibre content. Rabbit food mixes are available instead of pellets but if your rabbit becomes picky and only eats certain parts of the mix then its diet will become unbalanced.
The amount of pellets you feed your rabbit depends on its age and size; British Bunnies recommends you consult your local vet.
Recommended vegetables include romaine lettuce, parsley, dandelion leaves and flowers, asparagus, basil, celery, clover, curly kale (used sparingly), rosemary and watercress. Some vegetables might cause your bunny to have diarrhoea, the best way to find out which ones your bunny likes is to introduce each vegetable one at a time and eliminate any that make your rabbit unwell.
There are many types of rabbit treats available in pet shops, some can contain high levels of fat and sugar which is not good for your bunny's health. Rabbits have a sweet tooth and will beg for sugary products, especially if they spot you eating something familiar. You can treat an adult rabbit with healthy treats from your own fridge or garden once or twice a day. Treats can include a slice of fruit, some green herbs or a slice of carrot. Fresh grass is the perfect healthy treat, so whether it's an indoor or outdoor rabbit, give it ample opportunities to munch on your lawn.
As a rabbit has such a sensitive digestive system any changes you plan to make to your pet's diet must be introduced gradually. This means that if you are taking your bunny to a boarding home it would help to take along a supply of its usual pellets or mix.
If your rabbit loses interest in food and stops eating you must take it to the vet immediately as this can sometimes be the first sign you see of illness.