Rabbit food: what is the best nutrition for your rabbit

Of course, you only want the very best for your rabbit. To keep your furry friend healthy and happy, it needs a varied diet. But what exactly do rabbits eat, and what is the best nutrition to give them? In this blog you will learn about the basic needs of a rabbit and what you can do to ensure your rabbit gets everything it needs.

The most important needs for your rabbit are a constant supply of hay and fresh drinking water. Hay is crucial for digestion because it contains fibers necessary for the intestines to function properly. Additionally, hay promotes the natural wearings of teeth, which is essential for dental health.

Rabbits cannot go without food for long periods. After just a few hours of fasting, gases can form in their gastrointestinal tract, leading to potentially unpleasant consequences. If your rabbit has food available but refuses to eat, visit a vet immediately.

Rabbits are true herbivores and require a diet rich in fibre. This fiber is primarily found in roughage such as hay and straw, which stimulate intestinal function and contributes to good digestive health. As mentioned earlier, hay forms the foundation of a rabbit’s diet, providing a significant portion of the necessary fiber.

To ensure optimal nutrition, the supplementary food you provide, such as pellets, should also have a high fiber content. Ideally, choose rabbit food with a fiber content of 20% or higher. For instance, our Beaphar Care+® premium range contains an exceptional crude fiber content of no less than 25% fiber, perfectly meeting the dietary needs of your rabbit.

Hay supports the natural wearing of your rabbit’s teeth, but high-quality premium food can also contribute to this. Since rabbit’s teeth continuously grow throughout their lives feeding them extra hard pellets helps promote natural tooth wear.

However, there are significant differences in the hardness of various pellets. Extruded pellets, such as Beaphar Care+®, are specially hardened and therefore offer additional benefits for your rabbit’s dental health.

There are various types of rabbit food available, such as mixed rabbit food, which looks appealing because it contains a mix of different pellets, shapes, and grains. However, the downside is that your rabbit might pick and eat only the most tasty pieces, leading to an unbalanced diet.

Let’s be honest, if you could choose from your plate, you wouldn’t always pick the most varied and healthiest options, right? That’s why it’s better to choose a tasty complete food, such as Beaphar Care+® where every pellet has the same composition: All-in-One. Our palatability tests ensure that your rabbit will find it super tasty and additionally it will also benefit your wallet, as no more food will be wasted.  Additionally, it benefits your wallet, as no more food will be wasted.

It's important to consider the calcium-phosphorus ratio in rabbit food. A high calcium level can, for example, lead to bladder grit. The ideal calcium-phosphorus ratio for a healthy rabbit should be approximately between 1:1 and 2:1. This balance supports strong teeth and bones, proper muscle function and maintains urinary tract health.

In addition to a high fiber content and a good calcium-phosphorus ratio, rabbit food should contain essential ingredients to help your rabbit achieve and maintain optimal health. The best nutrition for your rabbit includes components that serve the following functions:

Supports the immune system
Ingredients like Echinacea, green tea extract, and spirulina help boost your rabbit’s natural defenses.

Promotes digestion
High fiber content increases chewing activity and promotes digestion. Natural prebiotics (FOS & MOS) stimulate beneficial gut bacteria, and Yucca schidigera reduces fecal odor.

Supports heart and blood vessels
A perfectly balanced ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids keeps the heart and blood vessels in optimal condition.

Additionally, you should look for the following ingredients in a good quality rabbit food:

High-quality proteins
Provide a good source of amino acids necessary for your pet's health and development.

Low fat content
Helps maintain a healthy body weight.

Essential Vitamins
Essential vitamins are crucial for maintaining your pet’s health and well-being. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects cells against free radicals, this way cells will age slower or recover better after damage.

Chelated minerals
These protein-coated minerals are highly absorbable, resulting in a perfect mineral balance for your pet.

Providing the best nutrition for your rabbit is crucial for their health and happiness. High-quality rabbit food not only provides essential nutrients but also contributes significantly to your rabbit's overall well-being. With Beaphar Care+®, you can be assured that your pet is receiving all the nutrients needed to stay in optimal condition.