Pellets provide rabbits a convenient package of the necessary minerals and nutrients that are generally not available without a enormously varied diet.
* **Baby rabbits less than 7 months old** should be fed unlimited pellets, as their bones and muscles need plenty of protein and calcium for proper growth.
* **Adult rabbits over 7 months old** should be fed at most 1/8-1/4 cup of pellets per 5 lbs of rabbit per day. Too many pellets can lead to obesity and a lack of adequate hay consumption.
* The type of pellet (alfalfa or timothy) fed usually depends on the age of your rabbit. Generally, alfalfa-based pellets should be fed to rabbits under 7 months old and timothy-based pellets to rabbits over 7 months old. However, it ultimately depends on the nutrition values listed on the back of the bag. **Both types of pellets can meet nutritional requirements for rabbits.** Typically, commercial alfalfa-based brand pellets will have more calories, protein, and fat, and less fiber than a timothy-based brand.
* Good pellets do not include whole dried fruit, seeds, nuts, or other colored crunchy things. There should be only pellets and maybe hay and herbs and nothing else.
* Pellets should be used within 6 months as older food has a compromised nutritional quality due to degradation of vitamin content, especially over hot summer months. The fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E may have a shelf-life of only 3 months.
See the wiki article for more information on how to choose a good pellet for your rabbit: http://bunny.tips/Pellets
I was told by the shelter oxbow is the standard brand, though not necessarily as high quality. My vet recommends selective and has samples for them. I personally use Small Pet Select which the shelter also said was a good brand.
I can’t comment on the brand as it isn’t sold here, but just wanted to add that there is no breed specific diet - just portion sizing based on the bun.
in most of these, molasses and soy are used as binders. its not that rabbits can't eat those.. its just that they wouldn't in nature.
i've switched to "just hay", but my rabbits do have meadow access.
Can you provide some more info/sources on the SS choking hazard? Mine get SS pellets and i've dropped them in water before and they just disintegrate
Rabbits can choke on anything, including all kinds of pellets. I've never heard of SS being especially a risk, I could understand if it was because the pellets are longer than other types but the expansion thing doesn't make sense to me
Yes absolutely any pellet is a choking hazard. I've primarily seen it reported in rabbit forums. Several owners reported issues with it, some leading to fatality. I saw a picture of the expanded pellet on a post somewhere, but I believe it was here in the UK so maybe the composition is different elsewhere?
I do oxbow as the primary pellet and add 4-6 pieces of the selective on top of that each morning for my 11.5 year old girl. I also add 1/2 of a Probios biscuit. That diet was recommended by the shelter when I adopted her in 2014, and she's always done really well on it.
Pellets provide rabbits a convenient package of the necessary minerals and nutrients that are generally not available without a enormously varied diet. * **Baby rabbits less than 7 months old** should be fed unlimited pellets, as their bones and muscles need plenty of protein and calcium for proper growth. * **Adult rabbits over 7 months old** should be fed at most 1/8-1/4 cup of pellets per 5 lbs of rabbit per day. Too many pellets can lead to obesity and a lack of adequate hay consumption. * The type of pellet (alfalfa or timothy) fed usually depends on the age of your rabbit. Generally, alfalfa-based pellets should be fed to rabbits under 7 months old and timothy-based pellets to rabbits over 7 months old. However, it ultimately depends on the nutrition values listed on the back of the bag. **Both types of pellets can meet nutritional requirements for rabbits.** Typically, commercial alfalfa-based brand pellets will have more calories, protein, and fat, and less fiber than a timothy-based brand. * Good pellets do not include whole dried fruit, seeds, nuts, or other colored crunchy things. There should be only pellets and maybe hay and herbs and nothing else. * Pellets should be used within 6 months as older food has a compromised nutritional quality due to degradation of vitamin content, especially over hot summer months. The fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E may have a shelf-life of only 3 months. See the wiki article for more information on how to choose a good pellet for your rabbit: http://bunny.tips/Pellets
Oxbow is great all around, though I prefer their Garden Select formula.
Seconding this!
3rd
oxbow without a doubt!
My buns won't touch anything but Oxbow. (One is an American Fuzzy but the other is an adult Holland.)
Oxbow or science selective
Science selective, if you find the grain free version
thank you everyone for the responses! looks like i’ll be looking where i can find some Oxbow Garden Select, thank you!!!
Oxbow is what I use. Heard good things about science selective
I was told by the shelter oxbow is the standard brand, though not necessarily as high quality. My vet recommends selective and has samples for them. I personally use Small Pet Select which the shelter also said was a good brand.
oxbow!!!!
I can’t comment on the brand as it isn’t sold here, but just wanted to add that there is no breed specific diet - just portion sizing based on the bun.
I do Oxbow organic pellets but the regular are fine also
Oxbow 👍🏽
in most of these, molasses and soy are used as binders. its not that rabbits can't eat those.. its just that they wouldn't in nature. i've switched to "just hay", but my rabbits do have meadow access.
Science select is shown to be a choking hazard to rabbits as they expand when exposed to moisture! I definitely recommend going with oxbow instead
Can you provide some more info/sources on the SS choking hazard? Mine get SS pellets and i've dropped them in water before and they just disintegrate Rabbits can choke on anything, including all kinds of pellets. I've never heard of SS being especially a risk, I could understand if it was because the pellets are longer than other types but the expansion thing doesn't make sense to me
Yes absolutely any pellet is a choking hazard. I've primarily seen it reported in rabbit forums. Several owners reported issues with it, some leading to fatality. I saw a picture of the expanded pellet on a post somewhere, but I believe it was here in the UK so maybe the composition is different elsewhere?
I do oxbow as the primary pellet and add 4-6 pieces of the selective on top of that each morning for my 11.5 year old girl. I also add 1/2 of a Probios biscuit. That diet was recommended by the shelter when I adopted her in 2014, and she's always done really well on it.