What to feed and what can you eat for a decorative rabbit
Although many people think of rabbits solely as a source of meat and skins, some keep these animals as pets. But in order to keep them at home, it is necessary to provide the animals with suitable conditions of detention. And the quality and quantity of food has a significant influence here. Each owner is obliged to know what to feed the decorative rabbit, and what feed will harm him. After all, this pet is different from the usual cats or dogs.
How to feed a decorative rabbit
General differences in feed for decorative rabbits
A number of owners believe that for rabbits that are kept at home, the same feed is suitable as for farm breeds. This statement is only partially true. There are a number of restrictions that prevent ornamental animals from eating the same diet that is used on farms. And each owner of decorative animals should pay attention to these restrictions, so that later they do not find out the reason for the pet's poor health. Here are the reasons why you should make a separate menu for your pet rabbit:
- On farms, animals are kept for the purpose of slaughtering them for meat and skins. Therefore, the feed is formulated in such a way that the rabbits quickly gain weight, and they have a high-quality skin. They do not need to be centenarians, since slaughter still usually occurs in the first year of life. And food for domestic rabbits is formulated exactly so that the animal is healthy and lives for a long time.
- The second reason why pets need a separate diet is the different conditions of detention. On farms, animals are kept in cages, several pieces each, and they have a different air temperature, different humidity, and even other stresses. All this affects both the appetite of animals and their metabolism.
- It is also worth considering the fact that production profitability comes to the fore on farms. They cannot afford expensive feed and prefer to save where possible. Of course, the savings are usually not at the expense of removal, but it also plays an important role.
- Finally, domestic rabbits are often spayed, which never happens to their counterparts on farms. And in this case, the metabolism and behavior of the animal changes. All those nutrients that go to the procreation process are not used in any way. And they begin to be deposited in the form of excess fats. And obesity leads to many health complications and shortens life to a large extent.
Of course, from the diets of animals from farms, it is really possible to glean certain information about what you can feed a decorative rabbit. But it is necessary to consider the food that is used to feed the breeding herd. These animals must be strong and healthy in order to fully transmit these properties to their offspring.But here, too, it is worth making certain corrections. In particular, one should not forget that when kept in the city, sometimes there is no access to the same fodder supply that is available on the farm.
Ready-made feed and concentrates for domestic decorative rabbits
A commercially available ready-to-use food for decorative rabbits will be a very useful aid in formulating a diet. But do not take the very first mixture found in the store. Economy class food for animals is like instant noodles for humans. They cause kidney and liver problems, lead to obesity, and greatly shorten the life of the pet. Therefore, it is recommended to buy more expensive, but high-quality food that will benefit the animal.
And even among the expensive mixtures, you need to choose what to feed your decorative rabbit. When buying, you should carefully study the composition, and decide whether it is suitable in this case. You want the mixture to be at least one-fifth of the unrefined fiber. This is, in fact, the tough fiber that herbivores so much need. But there should not be too many different proteins, fats and proteins, since their excess harms the rabbit. It will benefit from various vitamins and minerals necessary for normal life.
If we talk about rabbits, then those mixtures in which there are proteins and proteins will be just useful for them. They also need various minerals, in particular, calcium, which is required for building the skeleton and normal development of the body. From birth, the baby can be fed only with mixtures, sometimes soaked in water. But as he grows up, you need to reduce the proportion of ready-made feed in the diet, and start giving him hay or dried grass. By maturity, at the age of 7-8 months, the proportion of ready-made feed is equal to half of the total diet.
Combined feed for decorative rabbits
Ornamental eared ears can also be given compound feed. Moreover, you should not confuse compound feed with dry mixes sold in pet stores. Compound feed is usually intended for industrial breeds, but certain varieties of it can also be eaten by ornamental rabbits. Another reason why it is worth diluting dry mixes with compound feed is that the dry mix contains ground nuts and other high-calorie additives. And they lead to obesity of the pet, because of which he begins to have health problems.
Of course, rabbits are happy to eat mixtures from pet stores, but they are specially made very tasty. And after prolonged use, the pet begins to pick and choose, and refuses simpler, but wholesome food. It is worth buying the compound feed that is used to feed the breeding herd. 120-180 grams of the mixture is enough for one animal per day. And if he began to gain excess weight, it is worth slightly reducing the daily portion. Compound feeds are used primarily in winter, when there is a lack of nutrients.
Herbs and green food for decorative rabbits
In summer, in order to better take care of a small eared pet, it should be given green food. Herbs such as meadow clover, green peas, or alfalfa will benefit him. But, as is the case with ready-made mixtures, it is better to give a limited amount of green grass per day. This may be news to novice owners, but even fiber can lead to obesity. Therefore, it is better to reduce the portion sizes if the small pet starts to have problems with being overweight. Here is a list of those herbs that are suitable for a decorative rabbit:
- Plantain. This herb is rich in nutrients, so too much of it will lead to obesity. On the other hand, it nourishes animals well and is rich in vitamins.
- Nettle. This herb is given after getting rid of the flowers. It is useful both fresh and in the form of hay. Fresh nettles are best treated with hot water, then finely chopped and mixed with ready-made mixtures. One of the best grasses for rabbits.
- Dandelions are also good food, the only question is how much to give to the animal. On a day, its share can be no more than one third of the total volume of green mass. If the rabbit eats dandelion frequently, it may develop health problems. But if a 3-4 month old rabbit refuses to eat, you can give him dandelions to improve appetite.
- Clover and other similar meadow grasses. It is better to dry them slightly if they are being harvested independently. An excess of such food leads to the fact that the pet's belly is swollen. Therefore, although the rabbit eats clover, there should be relatively little of it in the diet, due to its high nutritional value.
- Lucerne deserves a special mention. Of course, it can be given to domestic rabbits. But on farms, the livestock eats it in order to increase their weight. Therefore, it is given to domestic animals in limited quantities. Moreover, it will be correct to use young alfalfa, since the old one is too tough for consumption.
- Mother and stepmother and wormwood. These two plants, in particular wormwood, are best given when pets have stomach problems. Mother-and-stepmother is good for relieving the animal from constipation and other similar problems. It can still be harvested for the winter to diversify the diet. And the eared wormwood eats when parasites appear in its body. But excess wormwood works as a stimulant in rabbits, much like valerian for cats.
Since it is necessary to feed the decorative rabbit with herbs not only in summer, but also in autumn, it is advisable to harvest them in the form of hay for the winter. Of course, it may be inconvenient for a city dweller to do such things. But often the best food is one that is prepared with your own hands. And the harvesting should not be taken carelessly, as otherwise poisonous grass can get into the food. And you also can't let the hay grow moldy or rot, then it will definitely become unfit for food. You can harvest not only hay, but also silage.
As with fresh grass, you need to keep track of how much hay your pet eats per day. Indeed, in the home cellular conditions, the baby does not move enough, and is able to gain weight even while eating hay. Although a lot also depends on the breed, for example, someone like a lop-eared ram is not too inclined to be overweight. But still, it will be correct not to stack excess food when feeding in a home cell environment. Then the question will not arise - how long does it take for the crawl to lose weight?
If we talk about the fact that it is impossible to give an eared, then there is already a separate conversation. What decorative rabbits eat is not always edible for them, and they are not too versed in what is useful and what is poison. Therefore, even when the rabbit is kept at home, it is worth checking its well-being every day. From herbs, the animal should not be given various marsh, fleshy plants growing in dark and damp places. Wild rabbits are meadow animals, and domesticated ones retain similar tastes. For example, they are not allowed dope, hemlock, euphorbia, celandine and cornflowers.
Vegetables and fruits for decorative rabbits
Vegetables and fruits for rabbits are a pleasant addition to the diet, although they cannot serve as its basis. Even for animals kept at home, the tops of garden crops will benefit. For example, the green parts of peas, beans, beet tops or carrots can add a pleasant variety to your diet. But, if we talk about vegetables and fruits, then we can say only one thing - everything is good in moderation. Too much peas or beans will lead to excess weight and bloating, and too much green parsley will excite your little one.
But do not flatter yourself and assume that any fruits or vegetables are suitable as food for an eared pet. For example, contrary to popular belief, white cabbage is not always good for rabbits. But if it can still be given (it is often to the taste of the baby), then it is better not to feed the eared ears with potatoes.The fruits of tomatoes can be given to them, but the tops of these vegetables are no longer worth it. In principle, it is advisable to do without nightshade crops in the diet, as these vegetables can harm an eared pet.
What fruits can be given to decorative rabbits
If we talk about fruits, then they are usually given 2-4 times a week, since an excess of such foods leads to bloating. Also, don't give them something delicious too often, like tangerines or bananas. As in the case with expensive mixtures (with almonds and dried fruits), the rabbit gets used to such food, and refuses to eat simpler food. Pears are given to rabbits, but as a natural laxative, since they can cause diarrhea in a healthy animal. Apples can also be given in small quantities.
Eared animals can be fed with watermelon, in particular, watermelon rinds. Likewise, they will eat the melon. The kids eat both of these berries by the common cheeks, and they gladly eat this food as much as the owner gives it out. But they cannot eat watermelon or melon seeds (as well as apple and pear seeds). As with other similar fruits, it is better not to overfeed decorative rabbits with watermelons and melons. And here is what the owners of the eared ears write about eating fruits and berries:
“Fruits and berries are the food that decorative rabbits are given in limited quantities. For example, they can eat a little bit of currants and cherries, citrus fruits, peaches or apricots. Apples without seeds should be given to them every week. But all this is given only fresh. Any processing makes the fruit unsuitable for rabbits. That is why they do not give them what is left of the compote or, moreover, from the preparation of wine or liqueur. "
Conclusion
Decorative rabbits are not the most picky animals. But they need to make up their diet wisely and carefully. Only then will he help the eared baby live a long and healthy life.