Age-Specific Rabbit Diet Guide: Nutritional Tips for Al

I. Feeding Guidelines for Rabbits Aged 1590 Days

During this critical stage, rabbits' digestive systems are not yet fully developed, making them susceptible to illnesses caused by improper diet. It is crucial to be cautious with their feeding, adhering to the principle of "less is more" and "simple over complex," with frequent, smaller meals.

1. Diet Composition: The ratio should be grass pellets vegetables. This means that the diet should primarily consist of grass, with pellets as a supplement. Vegetables should either be fed sparingly or avoided altogether, as they can lead to diarrhea in young rabbits. Pellets are generally more palatable than hay, but overfeeding them can discourage rabbits from eating grass, potentially causing digestive issues. It's best to maintain the grass pellets vegetables ratio.

2. Grass Variety: A mix of grasses from the Poaceae and Leguminosae families should be provided. Ensure an unlimited supply of grasses like Timothy, and feed a handful of leguminous grasses (such as clover) in the morning, with 23 handfuls in the evening. Pellets should be offered at a rate of 4080 grams daily, divided into 23 feedings, with a water intake of 80120 ml.

3. Feeding Schedule: During the day, feed 3040% of the total daily food, and at night, increase this to 6070%.

II. Feeding Guidelines for Rabbits Aged 90180 Days

By this stage, rabbits' digestive systems are nearly mature, and their nutritional needs increase with their growth. Adjustments to their diet are necessary.

1. Diet Composition: The ratio remains grass pellets vegetables. Grass should still be the main component, with pellets as a supplement. A daily serving of vegetables can include one lettuce leaf or half a carrot.

2. Grass Variety: Provide unlimited Timothy hay and a small amount of clover, feeding 23 clover leaves in the morning and 34 in the evening. Pellets should be offered at 80100 grams daily, divided into 23 feedings, with a water intake of 120250 ml.

3. Feeding Schedule: Maintain a 3040% feeding rate during the day and increase to 6070% at night.

III. Feeding Guidelines for Rabbits Aged 180 Days to 4 Years

Rabbits in this age range have stable body metrics and fully developed organs, making them the easiest to care for. Their nutritional intake should balance their energy expenditure to prevent obesity.

1. Diet Composition: The diet should be rich in grass, with pellets as a supplement. A daily serving of vegetables can include one lettuce leaf or half a carrot.

2. Grass Variety: Offer plenty of Timothy hay and less clover, feeding a handful daily or not at all. Pellets should be given at 100 grams per day, divided into 23 feedings, with a water intake of 250500 ml.

3. Feeding Schedule: Continue with a 3040% feeding rate during the day and a 6070% rate at night.

IV. Feeding Guidelines for Rabbits Over 4 Years

As rabbits transition from adulthood to old age, their organs age and their bodily functions decline. Adjustments to their diet are essential.

Since older rabbits have weakened digestive systems and aging teeth, it's important to reduce the intake of indigestible roughage to ease the burden on their gastrointestinal tract. Vegetables, which are easy to chew and digest and rich in vitamins, can be offered more frequently.

We hope these detailed feeding guidelines from Oxygen Pet Doctor help you provide the best care for your rabbits at each stage of their lives. If you, as an experienced pet owner, have any valuable feeding tips, please feel free to share them below!