2torial #0931:
Learn2 Care for a Pet Rabbit (continued)

Feed it

Talk to a vet, breeder, or knowledgeable pet store owner about how much to feed your rabbit during each stage of its life. Specially formulated rabbit pellets, some fresh hay, and plenty of water are usually sufficient. In general, a rabbit's food should be fresh, dry, and neither hot nor cold. Keep the food bowl clean, emptying uneaten food daily instead of letting it sit and spoil.

Treats. If you want to vary your rabbit's diet, try rolled oats, dry whole-grain bread, vegetables such as leafy lettuce, carrots, or turnips, or fruits such as apples or tomatoes (wipe away moisture before you serve veggies and fruits). Avoid iceberg lettuce or cabbage--rabbits have difficulty digesting these. Don't feed rabbits sweets, even though they love them. Don't give fresh produce to a rabbit younger than 6 months (their intestinal tract isn't mature enough to digest it properly).

Introduce new foods slowly, so the rabbit's digestive system can get used to the change. Cut back or eliminate the new food if the rabbit develops diarrhea. Consult your breeder, vet, pet store worker, or a book on rabbit care if you're unsure whether or not a particular food might be good for your rabbit.

Cecotropes. Rabbits actually make part of their own food. The cecum is an area of the rabbit's intestine that packages vitamins and partially digested fiber into little clusters that the rabbit eats directly from its own anus. This may seem kind of gross, but eating these cecotropes is perfectly normal, and necessary to the rabbit's health. Cecotropes are softer and more irregular in shape than dry, round rabbit feces. If you see many of them actually lying in the rabbit's cage or litterbox, your pet may be either ill or overfed. Consult your vet.