Are cheap commercial rabbit pellets bad for my bunny's health?

It's correct that fiber is very important for rabbits. This is because they have a digestive system that is made for a high-fiber diet and can get a great deal of nutrients from fiber. For this reason, it's actually best to feed a pelleted diet that is high in fiber like Oxbow. Fruits and vegetables should be considered treats and limited and no more than 10% of their diet. High quality hay (timothy or brome are good choices) should be offered all the time. Grass and dark leafy greens should also be offered regularly. There is a lot of information about how to feed a rabbit out there and it can be difficult to know what's correct and what's not. Below is a link to a some good information that should answer all of your questions. I hope that helps and all is well with your bunnies.

Pellets can predispose a rabbit to obesity. They may not provide the amount of fiber needed to maintain a healthy gut. You don't need to feed just produce. Ellie should be fed as much timothy hay, oat hay or similar grasses as she wants to eat. These grasses are relatively inexpensive. You can feed alfalfa until she is about 7 months old then discontinue feeding it. Supplement the diet with a cup or two of fresh, dark, leafy greens and vegetables daily. Up to 1/4 cup of commercial pellets can be offered daily.

Oxbow has pellets and timothy hay in their product line. The majority of the diet should be timothy hay or similar grasses. Pellets should be limited to no more than a 1/2 cup daily. Alfalfa should not be offered after 7 months of age. Trim nails every 3-4 weeks if necessary. Your veterinarian can show you how initially. Teeth should be checked monthly. A yearly exam should include a dental exam and teeth trimming if indicated. Symptoms of overgrown teeth include decreased appetite, drooling, pawing at the mouth, swelling or discharge.

I think this article will answer most of your nutrition questions. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=18+1803&aid=1638 The only thing you need to limit as a rabbit reaches maturity is the pellets. They should make up less of the diet. She should be eating mostly hay and vegetables. Overfeeding pellets in mature rabbits can lead to obesity and other medical conditions. Hope this helps. After you read the article if you still have questions feel free to post again. Best wishes.

Hello. A good quality orchard grass hay is very important to a rabbits diet. The bacteria in a rabbits gut will break down the roughage extracting nutrients necessary for her good health, much in the same way horses & cows eat hay for nutrition. Chewing keeps her teeth in shape & prevents boredom. More so than pellets & fresh veggies, a rabbit needs to be supplied with a good grass hay with a little alfalfa added if you like. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

His diet should be made by 85-90% of good quality hay, 5-10 % of greens and 5 % of pellets. Hay should be timothy, oat hay or other grass hays. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

For an adult rabbit the percentages should be 85-90% hay ( timothy, grass hay, oat hay and so on) up to 10% veggies and up to 5% fruits (no more than 1 oz. per 3 lbs. body weight). The rest can be given in pellets.