How to Feed Angora Rabbits?

How to feed Angora rabbits? There are two dry foods for feeding rabbits that are available in the market today: pellets and rabbit mixes. Rabbit Mixes are usually based on grains and cereal; these type of food contains brightly colored mixed ingredients that usually includes peas, corn and beans. On the other hand, pellets are more grass – based, and the ingredients are processed into bite – size nuggets for pet rabbits. How to feed Angora rabbits? The colors and variation of these mixes is usually something that humans go for, as if they’re the ones who are going to eat for their rabbits. But keep in mind that rabbit mixes usually have lower fiber and higher protein compared to pellets. This means that rabbit mixes are not that nutritional compared to grass – based rabbit pellets.

How to feed Angora rabbits? Feeding your Angora a rabbit mix is also kind of selective feeding because if your pet doesn’t eat all the ingredients then they won’t receive a balanced diet and will miss out on the nutrition they need. This is why it’s best to offer them pellet – based food; not only are these nutritious but also tastier for your rabbit.

The Right Rabbit Food Brand

How to feed Angora rabbits? Choosing a brand of rabbit pellets can be very overwhelming since there are lots to choose from. Pet shops stock themselves with food brands that almost always give false promises. Try not to be tempted by this. If you want to get an accurate idea of how good a food is look at the nutritional analysis and ingredients list on the back of the packets instead.

What you need to keep in mind are the protein and fiber levels. A high fiber content is very important for your Angora rabbit’s digestion. You want something around 15% of fiber. On the other hand, a relatively high level of protein is also needed especially when your pet rabbit is in growth stage mode. Try to get around 12 – 15% of protein levels.

How to feed Angora rabbits? The ingredients list will be in the order of the proportion included; with the ingredient the food contains most of listed first. As grass is higher in fiber and lower in protein than cereals, foods that are grass-based generally also have a more suitable nutritional balance. Good quality high fiber pellets can be more expensive than cheap mix, but the good news is you don’t need a lot of them.

Amount to Feed

The amount of pellets that recommended has decreased because researchers now says that it’s better for rabbits to have an organic diet rather than just a pellet – based one to make them healthier. If you feed a good variety of vegetables daily, your rabbit may need as little as 10g per kg. Keep in mind that pellets are concentrated grass ingredient which is why it’s okay if it’s only given in a small portion. Make sure to record your pet’s weight so that you can properly measure how much your Angora needs. Expect your bunny to eat all the pellets in one feeding but make sure to not refill it once it’s all consumed. This will force them to eat on their hays.

How to feed Angora rabbits? If your Angora is still young or under six months of age, you need to provide higher protein levels as this will help in their bone and muscle development. You can increase the protein percentage by feeding your juvenile rabbits some large amount of dry food. You can also let baby bunnies feed the same amount. However, it is important your Angora get into good eating habits when they are young as they can be difficult to make a switch. If you have been unable to find high fiber or low protein pellets, then it’s particularly important to feed to small quantities of food as this reduces the impact the food has on your rabbit’s diet.

How to Make the Switch

How to feed Angora rabbits? When it comes to switching foods for your rabbit, what you need to do is slowly mix in the new meal with the old one at least for a period of 1 to 2 weeks. You can start with a mix of 10% of the new food and 90% of the old, and increase the new and decrease the old each day. If you don’t have any of the previous meal, then introduce the new one in small quantities until you make your rabbit get used to eating them. Don’t worry because having a limited amount of dry food will not affect your pet as long as it’s not done in longer periods, and hay will be there as a top up.

Keep in mind that you need to also look out for your rabbit’s feces while you’re making the switch as this could give you signs if you’re doing it right. If their feces become too soft, then you must make it more gradual so their body can also adjust.

Feeding Tips

How to feed Angora rabbits? When it comes to feeding rabbits, you can hit two bunnies with one stone, so to speak if you also make the feeding into playtime. You can come up with activities that will physically and mentally stimulate them.

One method that lots of keepers use is the treat ball. You simply fill the ball with treats and it will fall out whenever your bunny pushes the ball around. These items are very easy to find in pet shops, or you can also make them on your own out of a tube or box. Just put some holes in so that your pet will get to eat as it play around with it.  You can also use the dry food portion of your rabbit’s diet as handfed treats, instead of a meal, to help you make friends or as a reward for positive behavior such as coming when called.

Different Feeding Tips for Different Stages

How to feed Angora rabbits? Just like humans, Angora rabbits and pets in general needs to be fed differently when they are babies, juveniles, adult and senior age. This will ensure that the food you feed them is the food their body needs to aid in their development. Like mentioned earlier, you need to avoid making sudden changes to their diet and that food must be introduced slowly to not have any tummy problems. Always provide clean water and you might want to use water bottles instead of dishes.

Kit

The main food source of baby rabbits or kits is their mother’s milk. But this will only last for 3 weeks. A few days after birth, the mother will instinctively feed her kits her milk. The milk contains very high levels of antibodies that help them protect the babies from diseases. And then just a couple of weeks after birth, you can expect the baby bunnies to nibble on pellets and hay. By around the 2 months, they can already eat lots of pellets and hay aside from the milk. After 8 weeks, they can already be weaned.

Juveniles

Around 7 months, the juvenile rabbit can now consume unlimited amounts of alfalfa hay and rabbit mixes or pellets. On the 3^rd month, you can already start offering them small amounts of veggies but make sure to only introduce one at a time. If any vegetable seems to cause digestive problems, avoid feeding it in the future.

Young Adults

How to feed Angora rabbits? Once your pet rabbit reach around one year of age, they can already eat various types of hays like grass, timothy or oat hays. These hays should be available in their hutch all day long as it will provide as a top – up to their pellet meal. Hays provide fiber for rabbits which is why it’s very important for their digestion. At this point, they will require little alfalfa hay, as well as fewer pellets. Alfalfa hay has more calories and calcium than rabbits need at this stage of development, and the high calorie content of pellets can also begin to cause weight problems.

Keep in mind though that you don’t want to always give them unlimited amounts of pellets. Just feed them about half a cup per six pounds of their body weight. Provide veggies to make up for some nutritional loss. You can also provide them foods but make sure that the calories are limited to only one or two ounces depending on their body weight.

Adults

How to feed Angora rabbits? For adult Angoras, you can feed them with unlimited amounts of rabbit hay. But make sure that the pellet portion is reduced if you do that. A general rule of thumb is a quarter cup of pellets depending on your rabbit’s weight. You need to also provide with at least two cup of veggies. It’s also best to feed them leafy and dark greens. Iceberg or other light-colored varieties should be avoided because they’re not nutritious. Also, make sure you are offering dark yellow and orange vegetables. Treats, including fruits, must be fed sparingly.