In their natural habitat rabbits eat a range of grasses, weeds, leaves, shoots, twigs as well as the bark of shrubs, bushes and trees. They will also eat crops, roots, fruit and vegetables. Rabbits are herbivores and their digestive system has evolved to be extremely efficient, with the ability to eliminate indigestible fiber rapidly and ferment those fibers that are digestible.

What to feed your rabbit

Rabbits need feeding twice a day, every day (in the morning and in the evening). A good quality, heavy, earthenware food bowl is essential to keep the food dry and clean, and prevent the rabbit from tipping the food on to the floor of the hutch. Their bowls must be cleaned after every use.

Rabbits need a balanced diet with high levels of fiber to keep their gut healthy and to encourage grinding to keep their continually-growing teeth in trim to ensure that they stay happy and healthy. Fresh vegetables and hay should be provided every day. A coarse mix, such as Russel Rabbit (or Russel Junior for dwarf rabbits and baby rabbits between 4 and 16 weeks old) provides everything your rabbit needs. It has been specially formulated for rabbits and is a “complete” food (which means that you don’t need to provide anything extra as all the goodness your rabbit needs is in one handy bag). All Russel Rabbit foods are high in fiber and your rabbit will love eating them.

RUSSEL RABBIT ORIGINAL FOOD

Russel Rabbit Original food is a low fat, low sugar complete and balanced food for adult rabbits. Vitamin and mineral fortified, it includes chopped alfalfa stalk, field peas, field beans and carrots for a tasty and nutritious mix that stimulate your rabbits natural urge to forage. Russel Rabbit Original is high in fiber which is essential to maintaining gut health in your rabbit and is rich in omega 3 fatty acids to keep the skin and coat healthy. The variety of shapes and textures encourage a variety of chewing motions to assist in proper dental health. Russel Rabbit Original - the complete nutrition your rabbit needs all in one bag!

RUSSEL JUNIOR

Russel Junior has been specially formulated for the needs of young rabbits (4-20 weeks). It is also suitable for dwarf rabbits and pregnant or lactating does, which benefit from enhanced protein and fiber levels. Russel Junior is also based on alfalfa, combined with other ingredients, including soy, peas, flaked corn, oats and carrots that provide variety and encourage foraging. Russel Junior contains pr-biotics to aid digestion and is also free from artificial colors.

Changing your rabbits diet
If you are feeding any of the Russel Jr. Rabbit food to your rabbit, you can change to Russel Original and back without risking digestive upset. However, if you are not feeding Russel Rabbit foods at present but would like to try them, you must introduce them gradually into your rabbits diet. Mix about one quarter of the new food with three quarters of the old food on the first day and then gradually increase the new food and decrease the old food over a 10-day period. This should make sure that your rabbit has no tummy upsets.

Selective feeding
You should try to ensure that your rabbit eats all his food from a very young age by calculating the daily requirement and dividing it into two meals, one fed in the morning and one in the evening. However, if you notice that your rabbit tends to leave some of the ingredients in coarse mixes, reduce the amount you give him until he is eating all of it. Then slowly increase the amount again to the recommended daily allowance.

Russel & Frankie's Feeding Ball
Russel & Frankies Feeding Ball is designed to make feeding time fun. Place some food in the ball and as your rabbit plays, the ball dispenses food, encouraging activity and keeping your pet amused and happy. It increases the eating period, thereby preventing boredom and keeping them fit at the same time. Fully washable and hygienic.

Ensure there is fresh drinking water available at all times.

Drinking Bottle
The best way to provide fresh drinking water is to use a gravity-fed water bottle, attached to the front of the hutch. Use one of the large ballpoint bottles to prevent dripping and ensure a constant supply is available. Water bowls are not suitable as they are easily tipped over and can get contaminated.