Is feeding my rabbit just pellets and straw enough for good health?

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.

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.

You can feed your rabbit rabbit pellets, fresh greens, green veggies, carrots and a slice of apple or Tomato here and there for a treat. You can also feed cucumber. Always have good quality hay in his cage anyway, best is to go to a farmer near you or a horse stable and ask if you can buy a slice or small bale of hay (should not cost more than $10, but will last a long time). The commercial hay you can buy in the pet store is often old and dusty and I would not eat it either.....

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.

It's a very big issue with rabbits that have been fed pellets rather than hay, i would recommend trying different types of hay, if it doesn't help just make sure you buy pellets that contain a high quantity of hay in them.

It can certainly be the same if of good quality. Rabbits should have fresh hay available 24 hours a day. Rabbits less than 7 months old may have alfalfa hay, but older rabbits should have grass hays such as timothy or oat hay. Hay is essential to a rabbit's good health, providing the roughage that helps reduce the danger of hairballs and other blockages.

If she will allow, check her teeth for overgrowth or misalignment. If necessary, you can your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating rabbits correct any dental issues. If she is less than 6 months old, offer alfalfa. This may get her to eat higher fiber and healthier diet. Lettuce has very little in the way of nutritional value. You can offer dark, leafy greens and vegetables as well as commercial pellets. Oxbow Critical Care for Herbivores can also be used to supplement her diet. Always have timothy hay, oat hay or similar grasses and fresh water in the cage or hutch at all times. If she stops eating, have her seen immediately by your veterinarian.