Feeding
Hay There!
By Chandra Moira Beal
The single most important thing you can do for your rabbit is feed it hay. Hay is an essential part of the rabbit's diet.
What is Hay?
Hay is a dried plant product, such as a grass or legume, which is fed to animals. Examples of grass hays are timothy, brome, orchard, and oat grass. Legumes contain more protein and calcium than grass. Examples of legume hays are alfalfa and clover.
As hay matures, the amount of protein decreases while the fiber increases. The leaves contain the largest percentage of protein and the highest amount of Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF). This fiber is more digestible to animals than the Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) found in the stalk and stem. However, both types of fiber serve a purpose in the digestive system of a rabbit.
Why is Hay Important?
Many animals require fiber in their diet to stay healthy. Without adequate amounts of fiber, illnesses such as gut stasis and enteritis can occur. A common indication that an animal is not receiving enough fiber is soft, mushy stools and/or diarrhea.
Rabbits need more fiber than other animals because of their unique digestive systems. Their wild ancestors were sources of prey for many animals, so they had to be able to run quickly from predators. If there stomachs were full of food, they could not run as fast and survival depended on speed.
Rabbits are grazers, eating small meals continually throughout the day. The digestible fiber contained in leafy portions of hay passes quickly through the stomach and intestines and is partially digested by the cecum, or hindgut. Other portions of the plant contain a different type of fiber that encourages peristaltic action (wave-like motion of the intestines).
When food is ingested, the larger particles pass through the digestive system faster. This faster rate of passage keeps the other food particles moving and prevents blockages such as hairballs. The digestive system works best when there is a consistent rate of passage instead of it continually changing due to varying types of feedstuffs.
There is no way to guarantee how hay will look or feel from one year to the next. Factors such as maturity and weather produce different colors, textures, tastes and aromas with every harvest. Some bunnies are particular about how hay smells, feels and tastes.
Encourage your rabbit to eat as much grass hay as you can get him to eat. All grass hay contains a low level of calcium, so feed your rabbit whatever type she will eat. Use a hay trough if your rabbit is confined to a cage for most of the day, or place several baskets or boxes full of hay around the house for the free-roamer. Rabbits should always have access to hay.
Hay provides not only essential fiber and nutrition, but is mentally stimulating and helps rabbits keep their continuously growing teeth worn down. Try stuffing a cardboard toilet paper roll full of hay and give your rabbit a combination toy and treat.
A Special Word About Alfalfa
Alfalfa is the wonder hay. It contains more crude protein, digestible energy and calcium levels than any other forage, as well as the fiber content needed for normal digestive functioning. Alfalfa is also a source of important minerals including calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc and selenium.
Alfalfa can be fed in moderation to most rabbits. Young bunnies under the age of six months can be given alfalfa free choice because it provides the essential calcium necessary for growing bones. After six months of age a transition should gradually be made to free choice grass hay and limited alfalfa.
Bunnies that are thin and weak or recovering from surgery can have alfalfa. Alfalfa is a very good appetite enhancer and will help your pet recover more quickly. Elderly rabbits often have low appetites. It is more important at this stage to offer foods that they enjoy. Since alfalfa is high in calcium, rabbits that are prone to kidney or bladder stones or crystals in their urine should always avoid alfalfa.
A once-a-week alfalfa treat is ideal for the average rabbit.
Hay Storage
Hay will stay in good condition for 6-9 months when stored in a cool, dry, dark location such as a closet. If you live in an area where the summers are hot and humid, store the hay inside a plastic bag that's placed loose and open inside a paper sack. Fold the paper sack once and put a clip or clothespin on the top.
Do not store hay in tightly closed plastic containers. Hay needs air circulation to help it "breathe" but still retain the moisture that keeps the hay soft.
© Copyright by Chandra Moira Beal. All rights reserved.
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