The feeding of the dwarf rabbit is a fundamental aspect of its care, as it directly affects its he alth and well-being. However, we must know that the diet of the dwarf rabbit is not based solely on commercial food, but must be supplemented with other ingredients.
In this article on our site we will explain in detail what dwarf rabbits eat at different life stages, but we will also offer you some extra advice to take into account when offering them good care and ensuring their well-being.
What is a dwarf rabbit?
The dwarf rabbit, also known as the toy rabbit, appeared in the Netherlands in the 20th century. Its origin is due to the cross between small rabbits, the result of the mutation of a recessive gene that causes dwarfism with domestic and wild specimens. Due to this crossing, the dwarf variety, especially the Dutch, managed to establish itself.
The dwarf rabbit reaches a maximum of 1, 5 kilos and measures between 30 and 50 centimeters As we have already told you, feeding of a dwarf rabbit is a very important aspect, because if we offer it an inadequate diet our rabbit can experience various pathologies, such as diarrhea, obesity and even intoxication.
Below we will talk in detail about feeding the dwarf rabbit.
How much should a dwarf rabbit eat a day?
We should not be surprised if we observe that our dwarf rabbit eats a lot, since we are dealing with a species that requires a continuous intake of food to maintain proper intestinal motility. In fact, if we realize that our rabbit is not eating, we should go to the vet, as it is an obvious symptom that it has some anomaly.
To explain why a rabbit eats a lot we must pay attention to the digestion mechanism of the dwarf rabbit, which is classified as "passive". When you eat any food, it stays in your digestive tract until another food manages to push it into your body. This is how digestion occurs in lagomorphs.
Once the food group has been digested, the rabbit expels it through a soft excrement that it ingests again to take advantage of all its nutrients. This is called coprophagia Afterwards, the droppings are expelled again in the form of hard stools, which are no longer ingested by the rabbit.
In this sense, the types of foods that are combined are very important, as some can ferment in the digestive tract and cause diarrhea. Therefore, the most recommended are foods high in cellulose and low in sugar, starch and fat.
In the following sections we will explain how much a toy rabbit should eat per day, as this will depend directly on its life stage.
Baby Dwarf Rabbit Feeding
You should know that the toy or dwarf rabbits that are popularly known as "babies" are actually called " kits". If you have just adopted a baby dwarf rabbit and have doubts about its diet, here we show you what do baby dwarf rabbits eat
What does a 1 month old dwarf rabbit eat?
Dwarf rabbit feeding is important from the first days of its birth. Before 3 months, it is recommended that the rabbit consume mostly hay , which must be available in the cage at all times. Hay is rich in fiber, helps regulate digestion and keeps emerging teeth he althy. It is also important to keep a container with fresh and clean water throughout the day.
The hay can also be used to form the rabbit's nest, as it is used to build what will be the bed. It is not recommended to add a new portion of food until the dwarf rabbit has consumed what is already inside the cage to prevent spoilage.
The commercial feed that a toy rabbit eats, high in fiber and low in fat, is recommended with a maximum ofthree tablespoons daily At this stage, you should avoid cereals , as they contain a lot of fat and the rabbit will choose to consume those pieces with higher fat and caloric content.
What does a dwarf rabbit eat from 3 to 12 months?
From 3 months, to the consumption of hay and feed fresh vegetables are added Thus, add one or two pieces of different vegetables two days a week so that the rabbit knows them and, at the same time, remains alert in case they cause diarrhea or discomfort.
The portions that a toy rabbit can eat increase as the individual grows, but can never exceed the intake of hay or feed during this stage. Balance with three to four tablespoons of daily feed, plus diced pieces of vegetables three to four times, and offer fruit for only a couple of days.
Feeding the adult dwarf rabbit
The toy rabbit will reach maturity between 9 and 12 months. At this stage of its life it is necessary to reduce the portions of commercial feed in the dwarf rabbit's diet and increase fresh vegetables and fruits.
What do dwarf rabbits eat?
Daily, it is recommended to offer between three and four different types of vegetables, cut and cleaned, and not add another portion until the rabbit has consumed them. Hay is still essential, so it must be available at all times. With regard to the food for the toy rabbit's diet, choose those that have a higher proportion of fiber, a little protein, calcium and practically no fat. In an adult rabbit, calculate 25 to 30 grams daily
Continuing with the diet of the dwarf rabbit, fruit continues to be limited to a few times a week, as it is usually high in sugar and can be detrimental to the he alth of the animal. Two to three times a week is more than enough. Of course, vary the types so that your rabbit learns to eat everything.
Rabbit treats should be avoided, so offer some only from time to time, maximum a couple of times per month. Likewise, a he althy rabbit consumes between 80 and 150 milliliters of water approximately.
Keep in mind that toy or dwarf rabbits can spend much of the day just eating, so if you won't be home, leave lots of hay in the cageand the daily portion of feed, plus some fresh vegetables but without cluttering the food space to prevent it from spoiling. Although they eat a lot, the portions each time are small.
Fruits and vegetables for dwarf rabbits
For a correct feeding of the toy rabbit we must know in depth the list of fruits and vegetables recommended for the species. Remember that it is very important to vary the food to enrich your day to day and provide the most balanced diet possible.
Here are some fruits and vegetables for dwarf rabbits:
- Spinach
- Carrot
- Beetroot
- Cucumber
- Basil
- Turnip
- Celery
- Lettuce
- Alfalfa
- Broccoli
- Chard
- Arugula
- Clover
- Papaya
- Cherry
- Kiwi
- Peach
- Pineapple
- Watermelon
- Strawberry
- Cantaloupe
- Apple
- Artichoke
- Mint
Prohibited foods for dwarf rabbits
There are also some foods that are harmful to your rabbit, or that it is better to consume in moderation to avoid stomach problems and even poisoning. Some of them are:
- Nightshade
- Oatmeal
- Dairy products
- Legumes
- Parsley (in large quantities)
- Bread
- Potatoes
- Legumes
- Candies and sugars
- Belladonna
- Frying
- Food for humans, dogs or cats
- Walnuts
Check the article on "Forbidden foods for rabbits" to know all these foods in detail and prevent your toy rabbit from consuming them.
How to feed a dwarf rabbit?
Now that you know everything about feeding dwarf rabbits, here are some general tips and suggestions on how to feed a rabbit dwarf correctly:
- Offers the fruits and vegetables washed, cut and at room temperature, never cold from the refrigerator.
- Watch your rabbit's he alth when you introduce a new food, only then will you be able to know if its body assimilates it correctly.
- The hay should always be at your disposal, but check that the portions are fresh.
- Include pieces of wood that the rabbit can gnaw to wear down its teeth, as these never stop growing. Keep in mind that they cannot be varnished or treated. For more information, check out the article on "Abnormal Growth of Rabbit Teeth".
- Make the diet changes gradually, never all at once.
- If a food item (vegetable or fruit) spends all day in the cage, remove it and throw it away to prevent spoilage.
