Why Rabbits Don’t Need Pellets

There are plenty of healthy foods that are safe for the rabbits. In general, pellets are a kind of staple food for pets. But they also like to eat leafy greens and other veggies. Pellets are a small part of the rabbit’s diet.

Pellets are not an essential food for the rabbits. Your pet can live without eating these pellets. It is crucial to have plenty of high-fiber foods, greens, and veggies in the rabbit’s diet. Though rabbits can get nutrients from pellets, they are not necessary.

In this article, you can learn about the pellets and how they are not a crucial part of the rabbit’s diet.

Why Do Pet Rabbits Eat Pellets?

Rabbits are vegetarians since their birth, and they enjoy eating leafy greens and veggies.   Many people find it strange that rabbits eat pellets which are tiny brown or green colored pieces. Many pet rabbits can eat pellets and like chewing on them. Rabbits have sensitive noses, and these pellets will smell like hay and other tasty snacks.

But, only the pet rabbits will eat pellets. Wildlife rabbits live and grow up only by eating hay, grasses, and wild berries. They can also eat other foods which they find in the surroundings.

Pellets are the best cheapest food to feed the rabbits. If you are giving only a vegetable diet to your rabbit, you have to spend hefty amounts of money. Many shop keepers that breed and sell the rabbit’s meat use the pellets as the main diet.

As of now, rabbits are famous for being affectionate home pets. Also, the number of people who eat rabbit meat is decreasing. But, it is not the same in the past. The first-generation pellets used to have plenty of fat-rich foods. At some point, many manufacturers also used various animal fats to make pellets. This kind of pellets makes the rabbit gain weight, and it is bad for its health. But, the present companies are using healthy and safe ingredients like hay to create pellets.

Is It Unhealthy For Rabbits To Eat Pellets?

The pellets are not crucial for the rabbit’s daily diet, and depending on the ingredients, they also have a few essential nutrients. Instead of these pellets, it is healthy and safe for the rabbits to eat hay, grass, veggies, and greens. The pellet food allows the pet to eat nutrient-rich foods.

Many times the rabbits eat only the tasty part when you give them a mix of foods. The rabbits would not eat protein-rich foods, and this habit will affect their long-term health.

Even though pet rabbits eat pellets, you should not make it the primary food of their diet. Researchers report that excessive amounts of pellet food cause obesity. Your rabbit can also suffer from different health problems or overweight risks when they eat too many pellets.

But, pellets are good if you want to feed necessary nutrients to the rabbits easily. “Baby rabbits need to eat different proportions of pellets than adult rabbits. As the rabbits are young, their bodies will grow and absorb the rich nutrients of the pellets. Due to this, you do not have to maintain the young rabbit’s (six months or below) diet free from pellets. It is better to reduce the quantity of the pellets as they grow up.”

Should I Give Pellets To My Rabbits?

The rabbits can live without eating pellets. Also, eating them too much is bad for the pet’s health. But, these pellets contain some essential nutrients which can keep the rabbit happy and active. If you are in a dilemma of whether to feed pellets to the rabbit or not, contact the veterinarian. After discussing with the vet, you can make a particular diet for your rabbit.

While buying pellets, it is better to check the list of ingredients. Only get the pellet foods that have essential nutrients for rabbits.

What Type Of Pellets Should I Get?

If you want to add pellets to the rabbit’s foods, you can do it. There are different kinds of pellet foods, so you choose one from them. If the rabbit’s age is below six months, then the Alfalfa pellet is the best for them. As these rabbits have high-energy levels, the calories from these pellets will digest at a quick pace. If you provide the alfalfa pellet to the baby rabbit, you need to change its diet when it is six months old.

If the rabbit is older than six months, you can choose from a healthy and wide variety of pellets. But, consider keeping Timothy hay or grass as the main component. This Timothy hay and grass helps in maintaining your rabbit’s health. You can also select other brand pellets that have different kinds of hay as the primary ingredient. But, the pellet foods with Timothy hay are the best choice for your pet.

What Should I Do If My Rabbit Is Not Eating Pellets?

There are a few reasons why your pet would not eat the pellets that you offer them. First of all, your rabbit might be picky about food. The second reason is the rabbit does not like to eat that specific kind of pellet. It is better to feed pellets from different brands so that you can know which type of pellet your rabbit enjoys eating. If your pet refuses to eat all kinds of pellet foods, you can give up on this food. Some rabbits are also picky about the type of lettuce and hay. These kinds of situations are ordinary, and you do not have to worry.

But, if your pet is eating pellets at first, and stops at some time, take it to the veterinarian. It might be an indication that the rabbit is suffering from sickness. Instant medical assistance is necessary for this kind of condition.

How Many Pellets Should Rabbits Eat?

Pellets are supplementary foods and are only a tiny part of the rabbit’s diet. But the amount of pellets varies depending on the rabbit’s breed and size.

Here is a list of how many pellets should the rabbit eat as per its size:

• 2 pounds rabbit – 2 tablespoons
• 3 pounds rabbit – 3 tablespoons.
• 4 pounds rabbit – 1/4 cup
• 5 pounds rabbit – 1 tablespoon + 1/4 cup
• 6 pounds rabbit – 2 tablespoons + 1/4 cup
• 7 pounds rabbit – 3 tablespoons + 1/4 cup
• 8 pounds rabbit – 1/2 cup
• 9 pounds rabbit – 1 tablespoon + 1/2 cup
• 10 pounds rabbit – 2 tablespoons + 1/2 cup

Can I Give Pellets As Treats?

Of course, giving pellets to your rabbits as treats is a good thing! But many owners mix this in the rabbit’s routine food due to its high fiber and protein-rich nutrients. Fruits like strawberry, banana, and pieces of Apple are popular treat foods. But because of their high sugar content, you should not feed them too much to your rabbit. Pellets are excellent food if you need low sugar content treats.

What Foods Are Good For Feeding Rabbit?

Hay and lettuce are the typical foods that you need to include in the rabbit’s diet. Also, 80 to 90% of your rabbit’s diet should contain hay. Veggies and leafy greens are other decent alternatives you can feed the rabbit. Remember, you should moderate the levels of lettuce. It is best to provide greener food to your rabbit. You can offer small pieces of fruits to your rabbits as treats from time to time.