Post on 21-Jul-2016
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Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
What’s the best diet- myths and truths
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Origin of the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
• Originated in Iberian peninsula – hot, dry and arid for some of year
• Rabbits can exist in these conditions
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
All there is to eat in September
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Introduction of rabbits to other countries
• Domesticated and kept in captivity for meat and fur
• Spread around the world by settlers who took and released them in new countries
• ‘Wild’ rabbits in Europe are descended from introduced rabbits
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Worldwide distribution of Oryctolagus cuniculus
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Effects of rabbits on landscape
• Eat virtually everything
• Destroy natural habitat
• Happened in UK before myxomatosis
• Even worse in Australia
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Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Control measures in Australia
Killed all rabbits on one side by various methods
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Including poisons
• Dropped by helicopters or planes in baited food
Didn’t use poisonous plants
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Supreme’s list of poisonous plants
Acokanthera fruit and flowersAconiteAfrican rueAgapanthusAgave (leaves)AlmondAloeAlsike cloverAmanita
Amaryllis belladonnaAndromedaAnemoneAngel's TrumpetAnthuriumAntirrhinumsApple (seeds)Apricot (all parts except fruit)Arrowgrass
Arrowhead vineAsian LillyAsparagus FernAtropa belladonnaAustralian NutAutumn CrocusAvacado (leaves)Azalea (leaves)
BaccharisBalsamBalsam Pear (seeds, outer rind of fruit)BaneberryBarbados LilyBeach peaBeargrassBeefsteak PlantBegoniaBelladonna Lily (bulbs)Betel‐nut PalmBird of Paradise (seeds)Bitter Cherry (seeds)Bittersweet (American & European)Bitterweed(s)
Black NightshadeBlack Walnut (hulls)BloodrootBluebonnetBluebellsBoston IvyBuddhist PineBusy LizzieButtercup (leaves)Black Locust (all parts)Black Nightshade (leaves and berries)Black RootBladderpodBleeding Heart (foliage and roots)Blue‐green Algae (some forms toxic)Bloodroot
Blue CohoshBog KalmiaBottlebrush (flowers)Boxwood (leaves,twigs)Bracken FernBranching IvyBroomcornBroomweedBryonyBuckeye (sprouts and seeds)Buckthorn (berries, fruit, bark)Bull NettleBunchberryBurroweedButtercups
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
And….
Cactus ThornCaesalpinia (seeds and pods)CaladiumCalendulaCalico Bush (young leaves and shoots)California FernCalifornia GeraniumCalifornia Holly (leaves)Calla Lilly (rhizome, leaves)Caladiur (leaves)Candelabra CactusCardinal FlowerCarnationCarolina JessamineCasava (roots and sap)Cassine (berries)Castor Bean (seed, leaves ‐ castor oil)CelastrusCentury PlantCerimanChalice Vine (all parts)Cherry, Jerusalem (fruits and leaves)Cherry Laurel
Cherry, Natal (berries)Cherry Tree (all parts)China DollChinaberry Tree (berries)Chinese BellflowerChinese LanternChinese EvergreenChoke Cherry (seeds)Christmas Berry (leaves)Christmas Candle (sap)Christmas RoseChrysanthemumCinerariaClematisClimbing NightshadeCloak FernCockleburCoffee BeanCohoshColorado RubberweedColumbineCommon PrivetCone Flower
Coral Berry (seeds)Coral Plant (seeds)CordatumCorn CockleCorn LilyCorn PlantCovotillo (berries)CowbaneCowslipCrab's Eye ‐ seedsCreeping Charlie (not the houseplant)Cress/crucifers/mustardCrocusCrotonCrow PoisonCrown of ThornsCrown VetchCuban LaurelCuckoopint (all parts)Curcas Bean (seeds and oil)Cutleaf PhilodendronCycadsCyclamen
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
And…
DaffodilsDahliasDaisyDaphne (berries, bark)Datura (berries)Day LilyDeadly NightshadeDeath Camas (all parts)Death CupDelphinium (all parts)
Deadly Amanita (all parts)Desert TobaccoDestroying AngelDevils TomatoDevil's IvyDianthusDieffenbachia (leaves)Dog MercuryDogwood (fruit)Doll's eyes (berries roots, foliage)
DogbaneDracaenaDracaena palmDragon treeDrymaryDurraDumb CaneDutchman's BreechesDutchman's pipe
Easter LillyEggplant (all but fruit)ElaineElderberry (unripe berries, roots, stems)Elephant Ear (leaves, stem)
Emerald dukeEmerald FeatherEnglish LaurelEnglish Ivy (berries, leaves)Euonymus
EuphorbiaEvening trumpetExotica perfectionEyebane
False HelleboreFalse Henbane (all parts)False ParsleyFiddle Leaf FigFiddleneck (fruit and bark)FigwortFirecracker
FirethornFireweedFlamingo PlantFlorida BeautyFlowering MapleFlowering TobaccoFluffy Ruffles
Fly AgaricFly‐poisonFool's ParsleyFour 0'clockFoxglove (leaves, seeds)FrijolitoFruit Salad Plant
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
And…
Garden SorrelGelsemiumGeraniumGerman IvyGhostweed (all parts)Giant DumbcaneGiant Touch‐me‐notGlacier Ivy
GladiolaGlecoma HederaceaGlory LillyGoatweedGold DieffenbachiaGold DustGolden Chain (all parts)
Golden PothosGolden‐toothed AloeGreasewoodGreen‐gold NephythytisGround IvyGroundsel(s)Guajillo
Hahn's IvyHalogetonHart IvyHawaiian Baby Wood RoseHawaiian TiHeartleaf PhilodendronHeart Ivy
Heavenly BambooHedge ApplesHelleboreHemlock, Poison (all parts)Hemlock, Water (all parts)Henbane (seeds)Hogwart
Holly (berries)Horse Chestnut (nuts, twigs)Horsehead PhilodendronHorsetail ReedHurricane PlantHyacinthHydrangea
ImpatiensIndian HempIndian LaurelIndian Rubber
Indian TobaccoIndian Turnip (all parts)IndigoInkberry
InkweedIrisIvy, Boston & English (berries, leaves)
Jack‐in‐the‐Pulpit (all parts)Jamestown weedJapanese EuonymusJapanese Show LilyJapanese YewJasmine
Jatropha ‐ seed and oilJava Bean (uncooked bean)Jequirity bean ‐ seedsJerusalem Cherry (berries)Jessamine
Jimmy fernJimson Weed (leaves, seeds)Johnson GrassJonquilJuniper (needles, stems, berries)
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Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
And…
Kafir Kingcup Klamath weed
Laburnum (all parts)Lace FernLacy Tree PhilodendronLady SlipperLambkill (leaves)Lantana (immature berries)
Larkspur (all parts)Laurel (all parts)Laurel CherryLecheguillaLeyland CypressLigustrum
Lily of the Valley (all parts)Lima Bean (uncooked bean)Lobelia (all parts)Locoweed (all parts)Lords and Ladies (all parts)Lupine
Macadamia NutMachineelMadagascar Dragon TreeMajestyManchineel TreeMandrakeMarbel QueenMarijuana (leaves)Marsh MarigoldMauna Loa Peace LilyMayapple (all parts except fruit)Meadow Saffron
Medicine PlantMescal ‐ cactus topsMesquiteMexican BreadfruitMexicantesMescal Bean (seeds)Milk BushMilkvetchMilkweedMiloMiniature Croton
Mistletoe (berries)Moccasin FlowerMock Orange (fruit)Monkshood (leaves, roots)MoonflowerMoonseedMorning Glory (all parts)Mother‐in‐lawMountain LaurelMushrooms (some)Mustard (root)
NandinaNarcissusNeedlepoint Ivy
NephtytisNicotiana
Nightshades (berries, leaves)Nutmeg
There’s lots more
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Burgess website
Some common plants that are harmful to rabbits: autumn crocus, begonia, black nightshade, busy lizzie, buttercup, carnation, chrysanthemum, clematis, cowslip, geranium, hemlock, laburnum, laurel, poison ivy, poppy and yucca.
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
An easy way to control rabbits?
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Is plant toxicity a problem?
• No- rabbits are either resistant to toxin or they don’t eat the plant
• Finding plants they don’t eat is a problem
Cannabis
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Reports of plant toxicity
• Reports of plant toxicity are in situations where rabbit has had nothing else to eat
• Could happen with houserabbit and houseplant
• Can worry about plant toxicity in that situation
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
What rabbits like to eat
?? Ground Elder
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Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Must rabbits have hay to eat?
Wild rabbits prefer grass
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Is there anything that does poison rabbits
• Lead and heavy metals• Herbicides• Moulds- aflatoxins
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Which of these is most likely to have been sprayed with chemicals
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Which of these is most likely to go mouldy
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Food for pet rabbits
• Lots of brands• Big variation between quality and suitability for pet rabbits
• Lots of competition between companies
• Lots of claims
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Some advertising claims are hard to take…..
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Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Complete v complementary foods
• Complete foods are meant to fed on their own
• Complementary foods are meant to be fed with another food
• Rabbits need hay/grass• Muesli mix with no other food is the worst option
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
How commercial rabbit food is formulated
Information about nutritional requirements is taken from data about growth and reproductive performance of farmed rabbits
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Pelleted food
• Are the way that most commercial rabbits are fed
• Easy to change analysis for life stages
• Give control of cost and efficiency of production
• Easy to store• Convenient• Can be medicated
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Pellets and pet rabbits
• Superseded by muesli mixes
• Some good quality grass based pellets are available
• Mostly in US• Better than muesli mix
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Nuggets
• Cooked, palatable biscuit• Stores well• Can incorporate long fibre strands- partially denatured by cooking
• Meant to be fed alongside hay• Nutritionally balanced• Fattening
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Hay
Type and quality of hay depends on species of grass, soil, weather conditions when it was cut and how it is dried
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Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Hay for rabbits
• Lots of choice• If the rabbit eats it, then it is Ok
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
What about probiotics and prebiotics?
• Are in some brands of commercial rabbit food that contain prebiotics and probiotics
• ? Value• Supporting literature ahs shown they may improve
growth rate in commercial rabbits
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Vitamin and mineral supplements and blocks
• Not necessary if rabbit is on a good diet
• Amount of calcium that is in them could be a problem for rabbits with urinary tract disease
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Grass
• Grazing outside is perfect for rabbits
• Expensive to provide secure space
• Have to sacrifice any idea of growing flowers or veg
• Not an option for most people
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
?Poisonous plants
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Foraging for rabbits
• Lots of free food, including grass on verges and alongside foot paths
• Won’t have been sprayed
• May be mowed, which is inconvenient
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Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Some examples of plants that my rabbits enjoy:
Dandelions Young docks Wild chervil
Ground elder Groundsel Hogweed
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Foraging for rabbits
• Excellent book describing plants
• Available from Rabbit Welfare Association
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Plants from veg garden
Fallen fruit, strawberry leaves, pea plants, artichokes, maize
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Diet for healthy rabbits
NO MUESLI MIXES
Wild plants
Grass
Hay
Leaves
Branches
Tiny amount (or no) pellets or nuggets
Small amount fruit & root vegetables
Leafy greens
Herbs
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
BUT.. Surely you shouldn’t feed too many vegetables
• Breeders are worried about enteritis in juvenile rabbits
• Not surprising because enteritis is a problem
• Change of diet can trigger problems
• Breeders sometimes tell owners not to feed vegetables to their rabbit
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Do plants and vegetables cause diarrhoea?
• ??? Maybe in rabbit colonies• Change of diet can cause
problems in young rabbits• Introduction of new veg can stop
an adult rabbit eating caecotrophs• Caecotrophs may be soft and
sticky • Owner thinks it has diarrhoea• So they stop feeding vegetables• Feed more nuggets instead
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Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
What happens next?- A fat rabbit
• Too many nuggets and no vegetables ends up with obesity
• Main reason for not eating caecotrophs
• Not diarrhoea• Need to eat more vegand less (or no) concentrated food
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Obesity
• Have to convince owners that there is a problem
• Try to get the to feel bad about feeding the rabbit instead of not feeding it
• If it has good teeth, it won’t starve on a diet of hay/grass and leafy greens
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
What about lettuce?
• I’ve never seen a problem with it
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
NO MUESLI MIXES
Wild plants
Grass
Hay
Leaves
Branches
Tiny amount (or no) pellets or nuggets
Small amount fruit & root vegetables
Leafy greens
Herbs
Diet for rabbits with no incisors- may need food shredding or cutting up
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Diet for rabbits with early dental disease (apical elongation)
Wild plants
Grass
Hay
Leaves
Branches
Tiny amount (or no) pellets or nuggets
Small amount fruit & root vegetables
Leafy greens
Herbs &
Rabbits with apical elongation can’t/won’t eat hay
NO MUESLI MIXES
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Wild plants
Grass
Hay
Leaves
Branches
Pellets or nuggets
Fruit & root vegetables
Leafy greens
Herbs
Rabbits with apical elongation can’t/won’t eat hay
NO MUESLI MIXES
Diet for rabbits with advanced dental disease
Rabbits with deformed crowns can’t chew fibrous foods‐ could shred it
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Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Wild plants
Grass
Hay
Leaves
Branches
Pellets or nuggets
Fruit & root vegetables
Leafy greens
Herbs
Rabbits with apical elongation can’t/won’t eat hay
NO MUESLI MIXES
Rabbits with deformed crowns can’t chew fibrous foods‐ could shred it
Diet for rabbits with endstage dental disease
Rabbits with no crowns struggle to eat
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Rabbits with endstage dental disease
• Some rabbits eat very slowly
• Can live on nuggets• May need to be soaked• Nutritionally complete• Fibre content OK but not as good as hay/grass
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Diet for obese rabbits with good teeth
Wild plants
Grass
Hay
Leaves
Branches
Tiny amount (or no) pellets or nuggets
Small amount fruit & root vegetables
Leafy greens
Herbs
NO MUESLI MIXES
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Diet for obese rabbits with endstage dental disease
Wild plants
Grass
Hay
Leaves
Branches
Tiny amount (or no) pellets or nuggets
Small amount fruit & root vegetables
Leafy greens
Herbs
NO MUESLI MIXES
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Obese rabbits with endstage dental disease
• Very difficult• Struggle to eat fibre- can choke
• Live on toast and banana
• Light diets are still fattening
• Shredded leafygreen plants and herbs
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
What about amount of calcium in diet?
• Amount of calcium in urine is related to amount of calcium in the diet
• This has been extrapolated to say that too much dietary calcium causes urinary tract disease
…. Not that simple
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Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Causes of urinary tract problems
• Encephalitozoon cuniculi• Spinal problems• Inactivity• Obesity• Physical problems preventing normal urination
• Pain preventing normal urination
• Etc. etc
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Urine concentration
• Natural diet is leafy green plants that are mostly water
• High water intake dilutes urine
• So sediment is diluted if rabbit eats lots of leafy green veg
• Sediment not diluted if rabbit eats lots of dry food- including hay
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Common advice for rabbits with urinary tract disease
• ‘Low calcium diets’ are often recommended to prevent or treat urinary tract disease
• Recommendation to avoid ‘high calcium veggies’
• It is sensible to restrict calcium but how?
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Influence of water content on dietary calculations
• Recommended dietary calcium is 0.6-1%
• But actual calcium intake depends on how much food is eaten and how much water is in it.
• Concentrated foods- pellets/nuggets have 5-10% water
• Hay is 15% water
• Grass is 80% water
• Lettuce is 95% water
How much calcium does a rabbit need to consume each day?
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Recommended daily allowance (RDA) of calcium
• RDA- recommended daily allowance
• Commercial rabbit pellets contain 0.8% calcium
• Pellets are 10% water so dry matter contains 90% x 0.8% = 0.72%
• Rabbits eat 63-95g pellets/day
• Consume 0.72% X 63-95g calcium
i.e 0.453-0.684g = 453-684mg
i.e. approximately 500mg
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Calculating RDA (approximate figures)
• Commercial rabbit pellets contain 0.8% calcium
• Pellets are 10% water so dry matter contains 90% x 0.8% = 0.72%
• Rabbits eat 63-95g pellets/day• Consume 0.72% X 63-95g calciumi.e 0.453-0.684g = 453-684mgi.e. approximately 500mg
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Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Calcium content of foods
Food Calcium (Dry matter analysis)
Ca:P ratio
Apples 0.12% 1:1
Bananas 0.03% (0.06%) 1:30
Broccoli 0.48% 1:2
Cabbage 0.43% 2:1
Carrot tops 1.94% 10:1
Carrots 0.37% 1:1
Dandelions 1.87% 1:1
Lettuce 0.86% 2:1
Maize (sweetcorn) 0.04% 1:7
Oats 0.03% 1:11
Watercress 1.2% 2:1
Figures from a variety of books and websites.
Approximate values only
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
How much food would a rabbit need to eat to get 500mg calcium?
Equation to calculate amount of food (in grams) that provides 500mg calcium:
50% Calcium X % Dry matter
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Amount of food to provides 500mg calcium
• 63g Burgess Suparabbit Excel (0.9%Ca)
• 65-159g Oxbow Bunny Basics (0.35-0.85% Ca)
63g nuggets
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Amount of food item that provides 500mg calcium
1.6kg of lettuce 5.63kg of maizei.e. 3 lettuces ~10 cereal packets
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Amount of food item that provides 500mg calcium
2 large pieces broccoli 15 apples
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Amount of food to provides 500mg calcium
529g spring 631g spinach 1.13kg carrotscabbage~2 cabbages ~2.5 bags ~10-15 carrots
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Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Amount of food item that provides 500g calcium
• 20 bananas
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
‘High calcium veggies’
152g carrot tops 245g dandelions 256g kale( 2 bags)
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Mineral blocks
• Weighs 55g• Contains 19% calcium and no
water• Calcium content 55X 19% =
10.45g • 1/20 block supplies RDA
(500mg) of for calcium
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Grass
• Calcium content variable
• Depends on species of grass and soil type
• Usually around 0.5-0.6%
• 463g of grass if calcium content is 0.54%
Seems a lot…
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
But if you dry it out and separate it..
• Rabbits produce lots of hard faeces (180-200 per day)
• Have a large caecum that needs to be filled
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Water content of grass that provides 500mg calcium
• 463g grass contains 350mls water
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Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
‘Low calcium’ nuggets
63g nuggets
Could easily eat two bowlfuls and eat twice RDA of calcium
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Amount of hay that provides 500mg calcium
• 143g grass hay (85% DM)‐ contains 21mls water
• 41g alfalfa hay (1‐2.07% calcium)‐ 6mls water
Hay may not be a good idea if rabbit has urinary tract problems. Not enough water
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Water intake
• Water in take is important• More concentrated urine and
potentially more sediment if water intake is low
• Important that rabbits can drink plenty of water if they are fed on hay
• Not so important if they eat lots of greens
• Very important if they have urinary tract problems
Rabbits drink less from sipper
bottles.
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Diet for rabbits with urinary tract problems
Wild plants
Grass
Hay
Leaves
Branches
Tiny amount (or no) pellets or nuggets
Small amount fruit & root vegetables
Leafy greens
Herbs &
NO MUESLI MIXES
Rabbits with urinary tract disease need high fluid intake
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Same diet for rabbits with early dental disease and urinary tract disease
NO MUESLI MIXESTiny amount pellets or nuggets
Small amount fruit & root vegetables
Leafy greens
Herbs
Wild plants
Grass
Hay
Leaves
Branches
Rabbits with urinary tract disease need high fluid intake
Rabbits with apical elongation can’t won’t eat hay
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Grass and leafy greens are good for rabbits with urinary tract problems
• 463g grass contains 350mls water
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Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
Grass and leafy green plants are preferred diet of rabbits
??
Provides right amount of calcium, water and fibre (plus many other benefits)
Frances Harcourt‐Brown BVSc FRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery
The End