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A new rabbit lover or owner often times do not understand the importance of a healthy diet for a rabbit. What if I say you that choosing only the best pellets for rabbits can enhance your rabbit’s health a lot.

Are you confused about what type of foods are best for rabbits? In this article, I will explain the importance of rabbit pellets for your rabbits, and which pellets to buy for both young and adult rabbits.

Adult rabbits that are over 7 months old need hay pellets that contain more fiber and less protein, on the other hand, a young rabbit requires more protein in the pellets for their growth.

To better understand how to choose the best pellets for rabbits continue reading. If you want to listen to the audio then click the video below.

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Best pellets for rabbits.

Rabbit pellets play an important role in a rabbits diet. Similar to rabbit hay which helps rabbits in many different ways, rabbit pellets aids domestic rabbits to get the necessary nutrition for their better health.

Due to the reason, domesticated rabbits grow in a household and depends only on the food provided by their guardians, they cannot get enough green vegetables or hay grass,

A rabbit in the wild has an unlimited supply of hay, dried grass, leafy greens, hence they do not require rabbit pellets to remain in good shape.

Why does this matter?

Although rabbit guardians intend to provide their pet rabbits with a lot of greens, it is not always possible.

80% of a rabbit’s diet must consist of hay or dried grass for a vigorous digestive system. Other than that a rabbit needs green vegetables and water to keep themselves hydrated.

As well as green vegetables give rabbits all the nutrition required for good health.

Understand this lack of leafy greens and vegetable varieties in a rabbit’s menu will result in a malnutrition rabbit.

If a rabbit guardian cannot provide their rabbit plenty greens or only occasionally, simply then you must give your rabbits to eat pellets.

Pellets are a good alternative for rabbits to obtain all the nutrition to remain in flawless health.

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Constantly choose pellets depending on your rabbit’s age with many other circumstances.

Any rabbit that is younger than 7 months must feed on alfalfa hay based pellets. Rabbits older than 7 months which is considered an adult rabbit must only feed on Timothy hay based pellets.

Rabbit pellets ingredients.

Rabbit pellets are made from hay. Depending on the brand you choose to buy the pellets may contain seeds and nuts in it,

I must say this, pellets with occasional treats like nuts and seeds in the packaging are not very healthy for rabbits.

As well as some brands of rabbit pellets are colored and some are non-colored. I always choose a pellet that is non-colored.

A non-colored pellet brand is definitely better for this delicate small pets opposed to the colored ones.

Timothy hay based pellets are made from timothy hay and contain more fiber and less protein,

Alfalfa hay pellets contain more protein compared to the timothy hay pellets.

Are pellets bad for rabbits?

NO, pellets are not bad for rabbits at all if they are fed the correct amount.

Unless you overfeed your pet rabbits with pellets and failure to recognize which type of hay pellet is best for adult and young rabbits can become fatal for rabbits.

Purpose of feeding pellets to your rabbits is to give them the necessary nutrition which may have been lacking in their diet.

However, if you are feeding your rabbits with sufficient green vegetables and leaves, it is fine if you do not feed them pellets.

Too much green vegetables together with regular feeding of pellets can be harmful to their health. Understand this too, often times your rabbit veterinary will ask you to stop feeding pellets to your rabbits.

What should I look for in rabbit pellets?

When you are purchasing rabbit pellets continuously choose the rabbit pellets according to your rabbit’s age and weight.

Before you decide on a brand of pellets, check the nutritional value of the particular brand of pellet on the back side of the packaging.

Rule of thumb:

A rabbit pellet must have at least 22% crude fiber;
Maximum of 14% Protein;
1% Fat;
Not more than 1% calcium.

A rabbit below 7 months old needs to grow and requires more protein in their diet. Hence choose alfalfa hay pellets for your young rabbits and a brand of pellet with no coloring.

Same goes for the rabbits over 7 months old. Before you buy a brand of pellet for your adult rabbits choose Timothy hay based pellets and with no coloring.

If you feed alfalfa hay to your adult rabbits which contain more protein will result in an overweight rabbit.

What can rabbits eat instead of pellets?

Replacing pellets in a rabbits diet are only possible by giving your rabbits all the food that has the same nutritional value required for a healthy rabbit.

A rabbit must chew on grass hay, dried grass continuously.

Eating plenty of green vegetables and leaves together with occasional treats is normal.

When you are sure that your rabbit is having all the required vitamins and minerals and enough fiber daily in their diet, then you can go for a pellet-free diet for rabbits.

Otherwise, it is best to keep pellets in the rabbit’s diet. To understand how much pellet is good for rabbits:

Go to the heading “Are pellets bad for rabbits” and read again.

Also, check this pdf by rabbit.org to understand the rabbit diet >>> Rabbit food pyramid.

Read here to comprehend >>> What not to feed your pet rabbits?

Want your rabbit to be happy and healthy?