Proper nutrition is essential when raising rabbits.  Many owners think that bunnies survive on carrots and lettuce but this is not the truth.  Older practices of feeding just alfalfa pellets and treats leave a rabbit prone to a variety of ailments such as obesity, foot problems, hairballs, diarrhea, etc. Grass hay is very important to a healthy digestive tract. Alfalfa pellets have too much calcium and the fiber is not coarse enough for a rabbit’s needs, although feeding alfalfa pellets as part of a balanced diet is okay.  This post is going to deal with proper nutrition for those "wrasckly wrabbits".  This along with proper housing, neutering and tonnes of affection can lead a rabbit to live a long and healthy life (7-10 years).

What to feed your rabbit:

Good quality timothy hay

Lots of fresh water

Measured quantities of pellets (1/4 c per 5lb of rabbit)

Untreated grass from your lawn (no pesticides or fertilizers

Dandelions and their greens

Fresh greens (in small amounts) like kale, parsley, romaine lettuce (1 c per 5 lbs of rabbit)

Do Not Feed:

Any processed foods

High carbohydrates or sugars like bread, cereals, grains

Processed rabbit treats

Drinks made for human consumption

Older practices of feeding just alfalfa pellets and treats leave a rabbit prone to a variety of ailments such as obesity, foot problems, hairballs, diarrhea, etc. Grass hay is very important to a healthy digestive tract. Alfalfa pellets have too much calcium and the fiber is not coarse enough for a rabbit’s needs, although feeding alfalfa pellets as part of a balanced diet is okay. Even alfalfa hay, though, is not ideal.

 Feeding a bunny is much more complicated that just carrots so take care when choosing what you are going to feed your bun bun.