Overeating can quickly lead to obesity in rabbits, which is a very dangerous condition. Since rabbits have such a sensitive digestive system, they run the risk of developing complications in their gut that will require medical intervention.
When Does a Rabbit Stop Eating? Your rabbit will stop eating when it's satiated or during rest. However, it's important to keep in mind that it's normal for rabbits to eat numerous times throughout the day.
An average-sized (6-10 pounds) adult rabbit only needs one-quarter cup of pellets daily. If your rabbit is under five pounds, feed just one-eighth of a cup. Rabbits larger than 10 pounds do not need more than a quarter of a cup, since it's not a crucial part of a bunny's diet.
How often should I feed my rabbit? Rabbits should be fed and provided with fresh water daily; hay should always be available. As nibblers, they should have food available at all times.
Too Many Pellets
Too many pellets and not enough hay can lead to obesity. You'll want to be careful of the type of pellets you buy your bun. The pellets should be fresh and high in fiber, a minimum of 18% fiber. Keep an eye out for pellets that have fillers like cereal, seeds and grains.
The main danger of eating too much is weight gain and the multitude of health issues that come with it. If your rabbit is severely overweight, you'll probably be able to tell just by looking at them. However, if it's not so obvious, you can check just by feeling your rabbit. Feel along their ribs, hips, and spine.
Pellets can be good for rabbits in small quantities, but they are not a necessary part of a rabbit's daily food intake. If pet rabbits are given a balanced diet with grass-based hay and a variety of leafy green vegetables, they can still be healthy on a pellet-free diet.
You may wonder if your rabbit is malnourished, has an eating disorder, or if it's in danger of weight gain. However, in the majority of cases, this behavior is normal in rabbits. Rabbits always seem hungry – because they are. As grazing animals, they're designed to eat whenever they can.
The House Rabbit Society recommends at least 8 square feet of housing with at least 24 square feet of exercise space, which the rabbits can access at least five hours per day. And that's the minimum.
They can upset a rabbit's digestive system if given too much. A better way to think about giving a healthy variety of foods to your bunny is to feed a salad a day. Salads are a very healthy and important part of your rabbit's diet.
Pellets. Feed your rabbits a small amount of good quality pellets or nuggets daily. Give them the right amount - measure 25g (an eggcup-full) of pellets per kg of your rabbit's body weight. For example, for a medium-sized rabbit (2kg), feed a maximum of two full egg cups.
Any leafy green that is safe for a human or a horse to eat is safe for a rabbit to consume. An approximate amount to feed would be around 1 cup of greens for 2 lbs of rabbit body weight once a day or divided into multiple feedings a day.
A good rule of thumb is 1 tablespoon of non-leafy green veggies per 2 pounds of body weight per day. For example, a rabbit that weighs 3 pounds should get roughly 1/8 cup (2 Tbsp) pellets, 1.5 cups leafy greens, and 1.5 tablespoons of chopped veggies (non-leafy greens).
Rabbits need a constant supply of hay or fresh grass to nibble on – in fact, 85 to 90 per cent of their daily diet should be made up of the stuff. This should be available to them throughout the day.
Feed one-half in the morning and the other half in the evening. Feed your rabbit three types of vegetables per day, with at least one vegetable being high in vitamin A. The website rabbit.org/what-to-feed-your-rabbit/ has a list of vegetables that are high in vitamin A.
Rabbits shouldn't be kept in small cages
"They should be able to run back and forth, and have separate spaces to sleep, eat, and use the bathroom." Rabbits that are held in small cages often become depressed, and a lack of exercise can lead to health problems such as obesity and muscle weakness.
If rabbits live in small hutches with nothing to do and no space to move, they get bored. Boredom can cause some serious health problems: Bored rabbits will fill their time by eating. If they eat too much and don't move around they'll put on weight.
Rabbits need a minimum of 3 hours free-range time each day for them to run about, stretch their legs, and interact with each other and the family. Keeping your bunnies as 'house rabbits' makes it easier to give them a lot of space as they have the run of your house (or designated rooms).
If your rabbits look tucked up and quiet with their chins tucked in and noses not twitching this can be a sure sign of them feeling unhappy or stressed, as this is not a normal position for a rabbit. Moving or running away. Your rabbits may turn and move away from you (or each other) if they're unhappy.
Certainly, if a rabbit that normally eats hay abruptly stops doing so, he should be examined by a rabbit-savvy veterinarian as soon as possible to ensure nothing is wrong, such as a dental problem or gastrointestinal upset. Rabbits are prone to both conditions.
Rabbits eat grass (or hay)!
Rabbits should be fed in a way that is as close as possible to their natural diet: mostly grass or hay. In fact, rabbits could live on hay and water alone, but we recommend providing some fresh leafy vegetables and a small amount of commercial feed.
Boredom. Sometimes, rabbits just outgrow pellets. Your pet may find them tasteless and dull. This is especially likely if you give your rabbit treats.
Hay provides lots of long-strand fibre which keeps your rabbit's gut moving properly and teeth healthy. It's the closest thing to a natural diet. Rabbits would naturally graze upon it all day, so ensure yours have an unlimited supply.