If you have chosen a rabbit as a pet, you have probably done the research needed or talked to your vet about how to care for the animal. These guidelines probably include giving your rabbit plenty of hay throughout the day. Why is hay important? Hay can give your rabbit hours and hours of chewing entertainment. Even more importantly, hay provides your rabbit with adequate fiber that is needed to sustain its health.
Through watching your rabbit "play" with hay, you will quickly learn that it thoroughly enjoys every aspect of the grass. It enjoys picking and sorting through the hay until it finds the absolute perfect piece to nibble on. Playing with hay is excellent for the rabbit's health both mentally and physically. The rabbit will spend a considerable part of its day playing with the hay. It is important to keep a fresh supply of grass in the cage with your rabbit to meet his entertainment needs. You will have a happier rabbit!
While entertaining your rabbit is important to his overall health, providing the proper nutrition will be the key to helping the rabbit live as long as possible. Hay is an essential part of a healthy diet and should make up at least 95% of your rabbit's daily intake of food. The number one benefit that your rabbit will get from hay is fiber. The word "gastrointestinal stasis" should be a common word in your thought process when caring for a rabbit. Many rabbits are prone to getting this disease which occurs from the lack of fiber in the diet. A rabbit's system can easily become blocked if it is not consuming adequate fiber. Sugar and carbohydrates serve to slow your rabbit's system down. This can result in gastrointestinal stasis that, if left untreated, can cause death. This is why it is important that you view hay as more than just entertainment for the rabbit. It should be the most important part of your rabbit's diet. Rabbits can get all of the nutrients that he needs from hay. However, it is important that you supplement the rabbit's diet with fresh vegetables, rabbit pellets, and plenty of water. Contrary to what you may think, rabbit pellets should make up the least amount of the diet. Many people jeopardize the health of their rabbit by feeding it mainly rabbit pellets. If you fall into this category, quickly change your rabbit's diet to include a substantial amount of hay.
Properly taking care of a rabbit is not difficult if you have the correct information to go by. Realize the importance of hay in your rabbit's diet. Provide him with a continuous supply of fresh hay. Your rabbit will be happy and healthy if you follow these guidelines. Do not forget to include plenty of fresh veggies for the rabbit to snack on, along with fresh water and a limited amount of pellets. The nutrition of your rabbit will help determine how long he will live.
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