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Hi, Miss Maddie here. For this month’s column, I am going to talk about hay. Hay hay hay! Many people don’t realize or, they wonder why hay is the most important part of a rabbit’s diet. Just like breakfast is the most important meal of the day for humans, hay is the most significant meal of a rabbit’s day. |
Health Reason: Dental Maintenance
Did you know that a rabbit’s teeth are always growing throughout their life? In order to prevent their teeth from growing too long, thus causing health problems, a rabbit’s teeth need to be worn down at the same rate of their growth.
Can’t I give my rabbit pellets or hard food, such as carrots to wear down their teeth?
No, and I will tell you why. While giving your rabbit pellets or hard food such as carrots may contribute to some wear, hay has special “roughage” that is necessary for maintaining your rabbit’s dental care. Also, giving your rabbit too many pellets or carrots isn’t good since that leads to obesity.
These neat pictures, which I found on the web, of magnified grass hay show exactly why hay is the optimum food for your rabbit. The “blades” or spiky surfaces in the hay act like sandpaper which wears down the teeth. So, unlike pellets or carrots, it isn’t how hard the surface is, it is how rough it is.
Did you know that a rabbit’s teeth are always growing throughout their life? In order to prevent their teeth from growing too long, thus causing health problems, a rabbit’s teeth need to be worn down at the same rate of their growth.
Can’t I give my rabbit pellets or hard food, such as carrots to wear down their teeth?
No, and I will tell you why. While giving your rabbit pellets or hard food such as carrots may contribute to some wear, hay has special “roughage” that is necessary for maintaining your rabbit’s dental care. Also, giving your rabbit too many pellets or carrots isn’t good since that leads to obesity.
These neat pictures, which I found on the web, of magnified grass hay show exactly why hay is the optimum food for your rabbit. The “blades” or spiky surfaces in the hay act like sandpaper which wears down the teeth. So, unlike pellets or carrots, it isn’t how hard the surface is, it is how rough it is.
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Health Reason: Prevention of Gastrointestinal “GI” Stasis
Unlike cats, rabbits do not have the ability to “spit up” and so they are prone to a condition called Gastrointestinal Stasis, otherwise known as “GI Stasis.” GI Stasis is a blockage in the digestive system, whether it is from ingesting too much fur from grooming, chewing carpet fibers, poor diet, or simply a dehydrated food mass.
When a rabbit has a constant source of hay, this is one of the surest ways to prevent GI Stasis. Hay keeps things moving through the digestive tract, and provides the proper nutrients for a rabbit’s energy, growth, and healing ability. That’s all I need to say about that for now.
Promotes Good Behavior
Placing a large pile of hay in the bunny’s litterbox will promote good litterbox habits! Rabbits usually love to munch on hay while doing their business. This encourages the good habit of using the litterbox and keeps their area much cleaner as well.
Hay also keeps a rabbit busy; they are an industrious creature who likes to search for the best and tastiest pieces. And, a busy bunny is a less mischievous one for your furniture, carpet, shoes, and other desirable items!
The Logistics
Your rabbit should always have 24/7 access to hay. The four most common hays that are healthy options include Timothy, Orchard, Oat, and Bermuda. Some types of hay are more available dependent upon your geographic location. Alfalfa hay should only be given to bunnies under two years of age, and is not recommended for adult rabbits (over two years old). For adult bunnies, alfalfa hay is too high in calories and causes bladder stones. Us bunnies like to watch our figures too.
Hay may be purchased from a rabbit rescue/shelter (such as NTRS), online supplier such asOxbow, or a feed store. One note of caution, when buying from pet stores, hay may have been setting on a shelf for a lengthy amount of time and sometimes goes stale. Hay should be green and have a fresh, fragrant smell. Don’t buy hay that is yellow or brown, dusty, has visible mold, or smells musty. Moldy hay is fatal for a bunny!
We hope that you have enjoyed this month’s topic and continue to tune in for another “Miss Maddie.” We at NTRS want to educate you with truth, not opinions.
Remember a question will open up the truth,
Miss Maddie
~ Information courtesy of The Rabbit House and Indiana HRS.
Unlike cats, rabbits do not have the ability to “spit up” and so they are prone to a condition called Gastrointestinal Stasis, otherwise known as “GI Stasis.” GI Stasis is a blockage in the digestive system, whether it is from ingesting too much fur from grooming, chewing carpet fibers, poor diet, or simply a dehydrated food mass.
When a rabbit has a constant source of hay, this is one of the surest ways to prevent GI Stasis. Hay keeps things moving through the digestive tract, and provides the proper nutrients for a rabbit’s energy, growth, and healing ability. That’s all I need to say about that for now.
Promotes Good Behavior
Placing a large pile of hay in the bunny’s litterbox will promote good litterbox habits! Rabbits usually love to munch on hay while doing their business. This encourages the good habit of using the litterbox and keeps their area much cleaner as well.
Hay also keeps a rabbit busy; they are an industrious creature who likes to search for the best and tastiest pieces. And, a busy bunny is a less mischievous one for your furniture, carpet, shoes, and other desirable items!
The Logistics
Your rabbit should always have 24/7 access to hay. The four most common hays that are healthy options include Timothy, Orchard, Oat, and Bermuda. Some types of hay are more available dependent upon your geographic location. Alfalfa hay should only be given to bunnies under two years of age, and is not recommended for adult rabbits (over two years old). For adult bunnies, alfalfa hay is too high in calories and causes bladder stones. Us bunnies like to watch our figures too.
Hay may be purchased from a rabbit rescue/shelter (such as NTRS), online supplier such asOxbow, or a feed store. One note of caution, when buying from pet stores, hay may have been setting on a shelf for a lengthy amount of time and sometimes goes stale. Hay should be green and have a fresh, fragrant smell. Don’t buy hay that is yellow or brown, dusty, has visible mold, or smells musty. Moldy hay is fatal for a bunny!
We hope that you have enjoyed this month’s topic and continue to tune in for another “Miss Maddie.” We at NTRS want to educate you with truth, not opinions.
Remember a question will open up the truth,
Miss Maddie
~ Information courtesy of The Rabbit House and Indiana HRS.
