When feeding rabbits, as with all other animals, it is most important to determine the need for specific nutrients. Nutrients can be divided into several groups.
Protein
Amino acids are used in the body to create most of the body's structures: from the proteins of cell membranes, through hemoglobin, bones, and ending with fur. In adult rabbit feeds, protein should be about 12%. During pregnancy and lactation, this figure increases to 18%, and for young rabbits - 16%.
Amino acids in the rabbit diet also come from nocturnal feces, which is why it is so important for rabbits to eat them. A deficiency of amino acids in the diet causes the body to get it from other sources. Then it is extracted from the muscles, which causes their weakness. Increased protein intake occurs during illness, fever, hunger, injury, pregnancy, and breast-feeding. Excess protein in the diet promotes the growth of unwanted bacterial flora in the intestine.
Carbohydrates
They are the main source of energy in all metabolic processes, we divide them into simple and complex ones. Simple sugars cause a sudden increase in insulin, are quickly absorbed, and their excess supports unwanted biota. The rabbit's diet is mostly found in fruits, so they should be avoided. Complex carbohydrates are digested for a long time, so they gradually release energy and do not cause a sudden release of insulin. The energy requirements for a rabbit must be adapted to the season and activity of the animal. You can roughly calculate the number of calories, assuming that a medium-sized rabbit (about 4.5 kg) needs about 220 calories per day to meet basic needs - that is, digestion, cleaning, moving and playing. When calculating, always take into account the range of thermal comfort, which for rabbits is 20.5 - 25 C. Outside of this temperature range, the dose should be adjusted. Carbohydrates should provide about 50% of calories. Excessive consumption of carbohydrates leads to obesity, which has serious consequences for rabbits.
fats
In adult rabbits, fats should provide 3% of the daily caloric content. For lactation, this is 7%. Fats in the body are used, among other things, to create hormones, cell membranes, and cholesterol. In the case of fats, the most important are the key fatty acids, i.e. OMEGA-3 and OMEGA-6. They are mainly used to regulate blood clotting mechanisms, hormonal structure, immune processes, blood pressure regulation, learning and memorization. Good sources: perilla, hemp, walnuts, linseed oil.Excess fat in the diet leads to excess calories and, as a result, to obesity.
Food fiber
Fibers include mainly cellulose and lignin, as well as pectin, hemicellulose, mucopolysaccharides and inulin. It is necessary in the proper process of digestion and fermentation. The process of fibrin digestion involves bacteria colonizing the intestine and cecum. Fiber provides about 35% of the daily calorie content.
Vitamins and supplements
There is no need to add vitamins and supplements to rabbits that have a proper diet. Vitamins B and K are produced in the cecum by microorganisms. Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, biotin, folic acid, and vitamins A, D, and E come from the diet.
Vitamin A is found mainly in carrots and vegetables.
Vitamin D comes from sun-dried hay and is produced by the body after skin contact with sunlight.
Vitamin E comes from fatty seeds such as sunflower, flax, and oils.
Rabbits do not need vitamin C supplements. They can do it themselves.
minerals
Commercial rabbit feeds from well-known companies are balanced in terms of mineral content. If rabbits are fed a home-cooked diet, it is best to give them access to high-grade minerals.
karma
Undoubtedly, they are easy to use and widely available. Feeds from well-known companies guarantee full satisfaction of animals' demand for all nutrients. However, you should stick to the amount recommended by the manufacturer because it is easy to overdose on food. When choosing commercial food, always check its composition. What should you be looking for?
The calcium content is from 0.6 to 1.2%
Protein content from 12% to 14%
The fiber content is above 20%
When choosing the amount of food for an animal, you should also be guided by its activity and, importantly, its size. Smaller animals, due to their faster metabolism, require more energy to be provided to them.
Myths about nutrition
1. Soy is bad.
No, that's not true. Soy is digested by 93%. It is also a good source of protein.
2. Corn is bad.
This is also not the case. Of course, if unprocessed corn grains appear in the feed in large quantities, then you should seriously consider buying it. However, properly processed corn is a good source of carbohydrates. The digestibility of corn is about 73%.; Slot fans appreciate offers that combine spins and cash balance. Entering the 1xbet registration promo code including full casino package €1950 + 150 free spins opens access to a wide range of games. Players can try new releases, classic slots, or live casino titles with added funds. Many promotions also include slot races or leaderboard prizes. Reading wagering conditions in advance helps avoid surprises when it’s time to withdraw winnings.
Protein
Amino acids are used in the body to create most of the body's structures: from the proteins of cell membranes, through hemoglobin, bones, and ending with fur. In adult rabbit feeds, protein should be about 12%. During pregnancy and lactation, this figure increases to 18%, and for young rabbits - 16%.
Amino acids in the rabbit diet also come from nocturnal feces, which is why it is so important for rabbits to eat them. A deficiency of amino acids in the diet causes the body to get it from other sources. Then it is extracted from the muscles, which causes their weakness. Increased protein intake occurs during illness, fever, hunger, injury, pregnancy, and breast-feeding. Excess protein in the diet promotes the growth of unwanted bacterial flora in the intestine.
Carbohydrates
They are the main source of energy in all metabolic processes, we divide them into simple and complex ones. Simple sugars cause a sudden increase in insulin, are quickly absorbed, and their excess supports unwanted biota. The rabbit's diet is mostly found in fruits, so they should be avoided. Complex carbohydrates are digested for a long time, so they gradually release energy and do not cause a sudden release of insulin. The energy requirements for a rabbit must be adapted to the season and activity of the animal. You can roughly calculate the number of calories, assuming that a medium-sized rabbit (about 4.5 kg) needs about 220 calories per day to meet basic needs - that is, digestion, cleaning, moving and playing. When calculating, always take into account the range of thermal comfort, which for rabbits is 20.5 - 25 C. Outside of this temperature range, the dose should be adjusted. Carbohydrates should provide about 50% of calories. Excessive consumption of carbohydrates leads to obesity, which has serious consequences for rabbits.
fats
In adult rabbits, fats should provide 3% of the daily caloric content. For lactation, this is 7%. Fats in the body are used, among other things, to create hormones, cell membranes, and cholesterol. In the case of fats, the most important are the key fatty acids, i.e. OMEGA-3 and OMEGA-6. They are mainly used to regulate blood clotting mechanisms, hormonal structure, immune processes, blood pressure regulation, learning and memorization. Good sources: perilla, hemp, walnuts, linseed oil.Excess fat in the diet leads to excess calories and, as a result, to obesity.
Food fiber
Fibers include mainly cellulose and lignin, as well as pectin, hemicellulose, mucopolysaccharides and inulin. It is necessary in the proper process of digestion and fermentation. The process of fibrin digestion involves bacteria colonizing the intestine and cecum. Fiber provides about 35% of the daily calorie content.
Vitamins and supplements
There is no need to add vitamins and supplements to rabbits that have a proper diet. Vitamins B and K are produced in the cecum by microorganisms. Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, biotin, folic acid, and vitamins A, D, and E come from the diet.
Vitamin A is found mainly in carrots and vegetables.
Vitamin D comes from sun-dried hay and is produced by the body after skin contact with sunlight.
Vitamin E comes from fatty seeds such as sunflower, flax, and oils.
Rabbits do not need vitamin C supplements. They can do it themselves.
minerals
Commercial rabbit feeds from well-known companies are balanced in terms of mineral content. If rabbits are fed a home-cooked diet, it is best to give them access to high-grade minerals.
karma
Undoubtedly, they are easy to use and widely available. Feeds from well-known companies guarantee full satisfaction of animals' demand for all nutrients. However, you should stick to the amount recommended by the manufacturer because it is easy to overdose on food. When choosing commercial food, always check its composition. What should you be looking for?
The calcium content is from 0.6 to 1.2%
Protein content from 12% to 14%
The fiber content is above 20%
When choosing the amount of food for an animal, you should also be guided by its activity and, importantly, its size. Smaller animals, due to their faster metabolism, require more energy to be provided to them.
Myths about nutrition
1. Soy is bad.
No, that's not true. Soy is digested by 93%. It is also a good source of protein.
2. Corn is bad.
This is also not the case. Of course, if unprocessed corn grains appear in the feed in large quantities, then you should seriously consider buying it. However, properly processed corn is a good source of carbohydrates. The digestibility of corn is about 73%.; Slot fans appreciate offers that combine spins and cash balance. Entering the 1xbet registration promo code including full casino package €1950 + 150 free spins opens access to a wide range of games. Players can try new releases, classic slots, or live casino titles with added funds. Many promotions also include slot races or leaderboard prizes. Reading wagering conditions in advance helps avoid surprises when it’s time to withdraw winnings.
