What is the Best Rabbit Food? Top Pellets for Bunnies in 2019
Rabbits are vegetarian animals and love to eat carrots. However, simply having carrots all the time will not be sufficient for its diet. It needs other nutrients to keep up its energy levels and good health. When talking about rabbit foods, there are several types available in the market. Choosing the best rabbit food is a big problem. This is especially true if you are a first time rabbit owner.
According to experts, it is always better to opt for pelleted rabbit food. It is needless to say that drastic changes to a rabbit’s diet can be quite unsettling for the animal. However, sprinkling pelleted bunny food to the fresh greens and hay will make it more welcoming. This will gradually introduce the animal to the new form of bunny food. Once it gets used to it, feeding it with such foods will not be a problem in the days to come.
Top 5 Rabbit Food Pellets
Why Should You Use Pellets?
You will often come across people who believe that pelleted diet is essential for a rabbit’s diet. At the same time, there are some who believe that such types of food is only good for adding weight to the body and ensures proper ingestion of fiber. According to experienced vets, long stem fibers are more crucial for any form of horizontal chewing and proper bacterial gut flora.
It is good for you to note that if your bunny has a good body weight and is not having pelleted foods, it is not essential to start pelleted food for the animal. This means that if your pet is underweight, then rabbit pellets is a great way to put on some weight. Otherwise, it is not important.
What to Look For In Bunny Pellets?
Most of the vets believe that a pelleted diet should just be pellets and nothing else. It should not contain any form of seeds, manufactured kibble type ingredients or dried fruits. There are several pellet brands in the market that add ingredients to their products such as dried fruits. Normally such types of pelleted foods are high on sugar and cannot be considered as a pelleted diet.
What Is the Right Quantity to Feed Rabbits?
One of the most important factors that concern most of the rabbit owners is over feeding bunnies. This is especially true for those rabbits that are already in their proper weight. You, as the owner of your rabbits, should understand the right quantity for your bunnies. Vets normally suggest ¼ of a cup of pellets for every 5 pound of bunny on a daily basis.
Rabbit Pellets and Nutrition
According to experienced vets, pelleted foods for rabbits are a great way to ensure proper fiber intake of bunnies. However, the accuracy of the fiber number on the product label is sometimes somewhat questionable. There have been several studies that have revealed that the crude fiber numbers found on the pelleted food labels are not always accurate.
That being said, pellets are a convenient way to enhance the fiber and calorie intake of bunnies. This is especially crucial for bunnies that are underweight. Sudden changes to a rabbit’s diet may prove to be dangerous for the animal’s overall health. This is why it is important that you take cautious steps when feeding pellets to your bunnies for the first time.
Best Rabbit Food List
As discussed above, there are several types of rabbit pellet foods available in the market. Choosing the right one is not going to be a simple task. This is why we have come up with a list of some of the best pelleted foods for bunnies that will help you a lot when you decide to buy such a food for them.
① Oxbow Essentials Bunny Basics
Rabbits require essential minerals and vitamins to boost their overall health and fiber to ensure a smooth functioning digestive system. This is why the Oxbow Essentials Bunny Basics is one of the best in the market. This food is a perfect combination of adult rabbit food and necessary fiber along with nutrients that provide a balanced diet.
Some of the ingredients found in this product include Timothy grass meal, wheat middlings, soybean meal, soybean hulls, vitamin A supplement, ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate, vitamin B12 supplement, manganese proteinate, biotin, and calcium iodate, to name a few.
Pros
Pros
- Especially designed to meet the nutritional needs of adult rabbits.
- Timothy grass hay provides the fiber required to maintain a proper intestinal health.
- Made with the help of natural ingredients.
Cons
Cons
- Some rabbits may not like the food.
- It is not suitable for small or baby bunnies.
② Brown’s Tropical Carnival Rabbit Food
This happens to be an all-in-one food and treat combination that makes it suitable for rabbits and fulfils the daily needs of bunnies. It is a combination of fruits, veggies, and seeds along with grains that makes it a delicious food option for rabbits.
Some of the ingredients in this product include ground Timothy hay, oat groats, dehydrated alfalfa, dried papaya, black oil sunflower seeds, dried banana, ground oats, wheat flour, ground barley, vitamin E supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, cane molasses, sodium selenite, calcium carbonate, and corn gluten meal, to name a few.
Pros
Pros
- It is made with a high fiber, Alfalfa and Timothy hay pellet brand.
- It contains veggies, fruits, grains, and seeds in the right size to keep your rabbit interested in the food.
- Contains essential vitamins, carbs, minerals, and fiber.
Cons
Cons
- Some bunny owners may find this food unhealthy for rabbits.
- There are some bunnies that may not like the food.
③ Kaytee Fiesta Gourmet Variety Diet Rabbit Food
This rabbit food provides a variety-packed diet for your bunnies. The ingredients in the food pellets are such that it will naturally encourage the foraging behavior of your bunnies. It contains 15% more ingredients than others such as papaya, raisins, and banana. It contains Omega-3 fatty acids that support proper brain, eye, and heart development, along with probiotics and prebiotics.
Some of the ingredients found in this rabbit pellets include sun-cured alfalfa and Timothy grass hay, ground oats, raisins, dehulled soybean meal, barley, ground rice, dehydrated apples, dried papaya, dried bananas, dried cane molasses, zinc oxide, vitamin B12 supplement, yeast extract, vitamin A supplement, and vitamin E supplement, to name a few.
Pros
Pros
- Does not contain any artificial flavors or colors.
- Ingredients are especially formulated for bunnies.
- A complete diet that promotes proper nutrition and boosts natural immune system.
Cons
Cons
- Some bunny owners may find this product unhealthy fir rabbits.
- Some fussy bunnies may not like the product.
④ Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend Rabbit Food
Keeping your bunny healthy and fit is now possible thanks to the Higgins Sunburst Gourmet Blend Rabbit Food. It is formulated with certain species-approved dried mixed fruits, flaked veggies, sun-cured hay, and pre-cooked legumes. It is designed to boost your bunny’s natural appetite and foraging instincts.
Some of the ingredients found in this product include soybean hulls, sun-cured alfalfa hay, soybean meal, papaya, ground beets, choline chloride, flaked corn, Timothy Hay, barley, pumpkin seeds, ground corn, vitamin D3 supplement vitamin A supplement, vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, and copper sulfate to name a few.
Pros
Pros
- Contains rabbit specific mix of dried fruits, flaked veggies, sun-cured hay, and pre-cooked legumes.
- Packed with plant-based omega-3 fatty acids that support the well-being of the health in general.
- Designed to support healthy digestion and boost natural immune system.
Cons
Cons
- Some bunnies may not like the food.
- Some bunny owner’s may find the size of the bag too small.
⑤ Mazuri Timothy-Based Rabbit Food
If you are looking for a complete hay-based diet for your bunnies, then this food product will be a good choice for you. It is designed to meet the nutritional requirements of rabbits in different age groups. This product contains better mineral balance and lower protein along with high fiber content to support the digestive system of bunnies.
Some of the ingredients found in this product include ground Timothy hay, salt, dehulled soybean meal, cane molasses, ground soybean hulls, choline chloride, brewers dried yeast, folic acid, dicalcium phosphate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin A Acetate, and much more.
Pros
Pros
- It is a nutritionally complete food product for rabbits.
- Packaged in a highly convenient and resealable bag.
- Trusted by both vets and zoo professionals.
Cons
Cons
- Some bunnies will not touch the food.
- The price may not seem appropriate for some people.
⑥ Vitakraft VitaSmart Complete Nutrition Rabbit Food
This is a superior quality rabbit food and is best suited for its hay fiber content. This will help to boost the natural digestive system of rabbits. It also contains Omega-3 fatty acids and DHA that help to boost the overall health and well-being of rabbits.
Some of the ingredients found in this food include Timothy grass hay, ground corn, chopped Timothy grass hay, corn gluten meal, dried plain beet pulp, calcium carbonate, choline chloride, dehydrated alfalfa meal, flaked peas, vitamin E supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, and much more.
Pros
Pros
- Provides a balanced and complete daily nutrition.
- Great source of fiber that helps in the digestive system.
- Contains antioxidants to boost immunity.
Cons
Cons
- Bunnies that are fussy eaters may not like this food.
- Some owners have issues with the pricing.
⑦ Kaytee Supreme Fortified Daily Diet Rabbit Food
This is wholesome diet that comes packed with fiber, natural protein, essential nutrients and oil. It is designed in such a way that it will naturally enhance the shine and smoothness of the coat and skin of your bunnies, improve muscle development, and support the natural immune system. It is enriched with vitamins D3, E, and B12 along with oat groats, corn, and sun-cured alfalfa meal.
Some of the other ingredients found in this product include ground grain products, can molasses, plant protein products, salt, dicalcium phosphate, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, vitamin K supplement, cobalt carbonate, folic acid, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, and niacin to name a few.
Pros
Pros
- Ingredients are especially chosen for rabbits.
- The ingredients ensure proper nutrition to support growth and the immune system.
- Naturally preserved to boost optimum freshness without the use of artificial flavors or colors.
Cons
Cons
- Smell may be disgusting to some rabbit owners.
- Some rabbits will refuse to eat it.
Conclusion & What is the Best Food for Pet Rabbits
The above list is surely going to help you get the best quality rabbit pellets for your bunnies. It will also save your time and effort in having to search on your own. However, the best of the lot was the Oxbow Essentials Bunny Basics Rabbit Food (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE). It has everything that is needed for the proper health of bunnies.
It is made from Timothy grass meal that is one of the best suited for rabbits. The fiber content in the food product is also plant based that boosts the natural digestive system of bunnies. The ingredients used in the making of this product ensure that your pet receives the necessary nutrition that it needs. However, it is not suitable for nursing, pregnant, growing, and active rabbits.
Since it is matter of your own pet, it will be a good idea to take some time and try to find the right rabbit pellets that will suit the taste buds of your pet. There are some rabbits that are fussy eaters. In such matters, you may have to try different brands.
Myths That Surround Lettuce and Carrots
It is a common fact that rabbits have a pretty complex digestive system. This is why the right diet is important to ensure that it works the way it should. When you talk about rabbits, the first food that comes to your mind are carrots. Vegetables and fruits are rich in sugar. This is why it is not suggested for rabbits as it may harm their health.
Lettuce is another food that comes to your mind when you talk about rabbits. There are some form of lettuces, such as Iceberg lettuce, that should never be given to bunnies. Lettuce contains lactucarium, which can be harmful for bunnies if given in large quantities.
It is also true that the higher the water content in a lettuce, the more dangerous it is for bunnies. The simple reason behind this is that higher percentage of water will automatically reduce the nutritional content of the food. Lighter shaded lettuces are normally water dense and should be avoided for bunnies.
On the other hand, darker shaded lettuces with more leaves can be given to bunnies. Just like pelleted foods, lettuces should be gradually introduced to your bunny’s diet. If you give a lot of lettuce to your rabbit on the first day itself, it may lead to digestive problems.
Grazing Is Important For Bunnies
As the primary part of their diet, rabbits need to graze on grass or hay. It is important that your rabbits get to chew on something natural that will help to control their teeth growth and also manage their complex digestive system. Hay happens to be the most crucial part of a bunny’s diet.
If you can ensure proper portion control for other types of rabbit foods, it will mean that they maintain their natural appetite for grazing grass or hay every day. Most of you may think that hay and straw are the same thing. This is not true. You should never give straw to your bunnies to chew. This is because straws are low in vital nutrients and grazing on them can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
At the same time, grass provides a well-balanced protein intake along with digestible fiber and some minerals and vitamins. It is important that you let your rabbit graze for several hours a day. However, this may prove to be tough if you have house bunnies at home.
Quantity of Food for a Rabbit to Eat Daily
Well, there is not set answer for this puzzle. There are several factors that come into consideration that can truly affect the daily food intake of rabbits. Some of the factors include age, temperature of the environment, and size of your pet. Even if you give the best rabbit foods to your pet, you have to keep an eye on the portion size that you give to your bunny.
If you think that your rabbit is overweight, then it is important that you practice portion control. Measure the food that you give to your pet and keep an eye on its weight loss or gain. It may so happen that you may be over feeding or under feeding your bunny for its level of physical activity. Portion control will help you overcome this problem very easily.
Protein and Rabbits
Rabbits also require a sufficient quantity of protein just like humans. It helps them to get their much needed energy and also support their overall healthy physical growth. When their muscles grow, it helps them to recover properly from strenuous exercises. There are different levels of protein for different types of bunnies. For domestic bunnies it should be between 12% and 16%, longer-haired rabbits should get 17% to 20%, lactating rabbits should get 18% to 21% protein, and those between 3 to 9 weeks should get 12% to 14% protein.
