Nutrition and Physical Exercise

for Rabbits
 Diet Disaster

• More than 50% are not eating the recommended daily amount
• 88% of rabbits eat carrots…
• 49% of owners give rabbit muesli as the main type of food
• 65% give inappropriate treats daily & 28% weekely…

41% of rabbit owners feel there is not enough information about

dietary requirements….. (PAW report, 2013)
 The Right Balance
• 1-2% of fat (vegetable origin only)
– Animal fat contains cholesterol

• 12-14% of proteins
– Animals with high energy due to physical, environmental and
psychological stressors require 16-22% of protein

• 20% of fibre
• Young rabbits
– Extra calcium
Problems Caused by Bad Diet and
Lack of Exercise
• Obesity
• Pododermatitis (Sore Hock)
• Poor Bone Density
• Poor Muscle Tone
• Gastrointestinal and Urinary Function
• Dietary problems
• Behavoural Problems

* Closely connected to diet is illeus

 Obesity
• Stress on cardiovascular system
• Pododermatitis (inflammation of
the foot)
• Stresses the vertebrae
• Mental health
• Large folds of fat around the rectal area or in the
dewlap
=> interfere with normal grooming (constnatly soiled
rectal area and => skin disease)
& and prevent eating cecotropes (lack of nutrients)
 Pododermatitis (Sore Hock)

• Inflamation of skin on the underside of feet

=> ulcerations that range from superficial to deep
enough to involve bone
• Causes: obesity, damp flooring & genes
– Weight wear on the footpads
– Can’t clean itself => collection of waste on the
hindquarters and feet
 Other health problems
• Poor bone density may result in osteoporosis
(thinning of bone)
• Poor muscle tone – weak heart (inability to
tolerate stressful situations)
• Gastrointestinal and urinary function –
abnormal elimination habits (may lead to
gastrointestinal shutdown)
 Behavioural Problems
• Lethargy, aggression, chewing of the cage bars (incisor
damage), chewing fur (obsessive grooming), destruction
of the contents of the cage
 lleus
• A painful obstruction in intestine
• Usually caused by stress, but could also be dietary stress!
• Dietary changes need to be made as part of the treatment.
These should be added:
– Probiotics
– Caecotrophs
– Lactobacillus
• This bacteria is not part of the normal intestinal flora, but is very efficient at
competing with pathogenic bacteria for mucosal attachment when pH changes
occur.
– Carboyhydrates should be avoided as they inhibit the release of
motilin (protein that helps to regultae upper GI motility in rabbits by
stimulating contractions of the small intestine)
• And exercise to reduce colic and stimulate peristalsis
– Slight and gentle
– Together with a gentle massage
 What to Feed

• At least their own body size in good quality hay each

day
• A handful of suitable fresh greens morning and
evening, varied selection
• Rabbit pellets 1 tablespoon daily (if under 3.5kg)
or twice daily (over 3.5kg)
• Fruit should be only fed occasionally and in small
quantities (high sugars)
 What NOT to Feed
• Rabbit Muesli (a mix of seeds and flakes)
– painful dental disease
• Sugary and other inappropriate treats
Safe
Asparagus
Basil
Greens
Unsafe
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Amaryllis
Cabbage Bindweed
Carrots (only feed occasionally – they are high in sugar. The leafy tops are OK) Bracken
Cauliflower
Elder Poppies
Celeriac
Celery leaves Foxglove
Chard Laburnum
Chicory Yew
Courgette
Lily-of-the-valley
Dandelion (in moderation – can make your rabbit go to the toilet more than
usual) Lupin
Dock Most evergreens
Endive
Oak leaves
Green beans
Kale Privet
Parsley Ragwort
Radicchio
Rhubarb leaves 
Radish tops
Rocket
Salad peppers
Spinach
Watercress
 Exercise
PLAY GAMES!
Lay on the bed and allow your rabbit a
approach you, it will probably hop on a
and off, investigate & lick
Build an obstacle course out of cardboard boxes,
tunnels, newspapers, set of jumps, footballs or
basketballs
Play chase - let the rabbit chase you!

Mornings and evenings are their most active time

Rabbits tire quickly!
 Encourage exercise
• Exercise pan
• Short periods of ‘confinement’
• Toys
• Foraging
• Digging box
• Elderly rabbits
• Training