Domestic rabbits are rather unpretentious creatures. But in order to preserve their health, cheerful disposition and beautiful appearance, the animals need to be fed correctly and in a variety of ways. It is especially important to observe the diet in winter.
It is necessary
- - hay;
- - ready-made combined feed;
- - root vegetables (carrots, turnips, rutabagas);
- - fresh herbs;
- - fruit treats;
- - fresh water;
- - salt stone.
Instructions
Step 1
The easiest way to feed the rabbits is twice a day - morning and evening. At this time, they have a good appetite and they eat everything offered without whims. Try to ensure that the daily diet of the animal includes coarse, dry and juicy food. There must be hay in the cage at all times - it makes up at least 60% of the rabbit's diet.
Step 2
If your rabbit is reluctant to eat, try sprinkling salt water or bran on it. Another way to get the animal interested in breakfast is to offer him a stalk of parsley or some celery - greens increase the appetite. Offer ready-made complex mixtures to rabbits from time to time - then you will not need to add vitamins to food.
Step 3
If you haven't stocked up on hay in advance, buy a ready-made one. Choose tough, coarse stems before offering it to your rabbit. Some animals prefer chopped hay - do not deny them this whim. You can also purchase sprouted oats - ready-made briquettes are sold in pet stores. However, in winter, root crops are successfully substituted for fresh grass for rabbits.
Step 4
Did your rabbit eat dry food for breakfast? Then offer him vegetables for dinner. Rabbits' favorite carrots can be given without restrictions, but you should be careful with cabbage, especially if you offer it to young animals. An excess of cabbage can cause indigestion in the animals. Try replacing white cabbage with cauliflower or kohlrabi - rabbits react less sharply to it.
Step 5
Many rabbits willingly eat potatoes - it is best to give them boiled and crushed. Some people also like potato peelings. Very useful for turnip and rutabaga animals - cut them into large pieces together with the skin.
Step 6
Pets can also be offered food from their own table - for example, crumbly cereals or dried black and white bread. However, do not feed your rabbits too much food containing carbohydrates, especially if the animals do not move much - they can quickly gain excess weight.
Step 7
Be sure to offer rabbits branches: birch, willow, maple or oak. In winter, the animals gnaw spruce or pine branches with pleasure. Cut them into small sticks and place them in the cage in portions. Branches can be harvested from the summer, but it is not forbidden to collect them in winter. Treat your pets to fresh pine needles - many rabbits love them.
Step 8
If you feel like pampering your animal, treat it to a small slice of apple or watermelon, raisins, or a slice of banana. Avoid serving your rabbits with muesli, cookies, or other sweets.
Step 9
Do not overfeed pets, a two-kilogram rabbit needs no more than six tablespoons of feed per day. Make sure that there is always fresh water in the drinker and hay in the feeder. Then your pet will be able to have a snack at any time convenient for him. Do not forget about the salt stone - the rabbit will chew on it, getting the necessary minerals.
