What's the best diet for my rabbit and why do they lick urine?

Booboo should be eating mainly timothy hay, oat hay or similar grasses. Rabbits need a high fiber diet. If he is less than 7 months old, you can also feed alfalfa. If he is older than 7 months, do not feed alfalfa. You can supplement with a small amount of commercial pellets, no more than 1/8 cup daily. Coriander is high in calcium which may be why you are seeing the residue in his urine. It should be fed only once or twice weekly and in small amounts, not as a staple.

Hello, and thank you for your question. Your bunnies' diet seems adequate. However, some bunnies may not tolerate large quantities of spinach as it is high in calcium and can sometimes cause formation of crystals in the bladder. This may cause increased urination. Increased urination may also be a sign of a bacterial infection in the bladder. If your bunnies seem to be lethargic or eating less or pooping less, I would get them checked out at the vet. They would recommend checking out a urine sample for crystals or bacteria. In the meantime, you can try cutting out the spinach at least temporarily, and ensure they get plenty of fresh water. You can also try soaking some of their veggies in water to increase their water intake. This will help to flush out any crystals in the bladder, if any. I hope this helps, and that your bunnies are feeling well!

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.

Hi and thanks for your request. A part from the variety of things given (which is usually good), commonly the proportion of the different nutrients is not correct. 80-85% should be good quality hay, the rest should be 5-10% pellets and very few fresh vegetables. Here you can find very detailed informations about it: https://www.vetfolio.com/learn/article/nutrition-know-how-pet-rabbit-nutrition

Review the diet to ensure proper nutrition. Offer timothy hay, oat hay or similar grasses in unlimited amounts, as much as they want to eat. About 1/8 cup of commercial pellets can be offered to each rabbit daily. 1-2 cups of fresh greens and vegetables can also be added to the diet. Clean the droppings out frequently, daily if necessary, to prevent them from eating "normal" stool. Provide a variety of toys, playtime and exercise to keep them engaged and distracted from their droppings.

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.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I have noticed that you listed Ms. Bunny as unspayed. Unspayed female rabbits are at a very high risk of cancer of the uterus, so I would be very worried about that as a possibility for the weight loss. The muddy urine could also be due to high calcium in her diet leading to calcium build-up in the urine. This can cause rabbits to have sludgy urine. It is important to get this checked right away. Your vet will try to empty out the bladder, increase the fluid intake, and get a better diet that is lower in calcium. I would suggest having her seen by your vet and discuss her diet, get a urine sample, and check out her uterus. Best of luck with Ms. Bunny.