Feeding the mini rabbit

Author: Laura McKinney
Date Of Creation: 8 August 2021
Update Date: 1 November 2024
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My Bunny Feeding Routine - Netherland Dwarf Rabbits - Family Pet Vlog
Video: My Bunny Feeding Routine - Netherland Dwarf Rabbits - Family Pet Vlog

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THE mini rabbit feed it is a fundamental aspect of your care, as it directly affects your health and well-being. However, we must know that the dwarf rabbit's diet is not based only on commercial foods, but must be supplemented with other ingredients.

In this article by PeritoAnimal we will explain in detail what the dwarf rabbit eats in its different stages of life, but we'll also offer you some extra tips to keep in mind when it comes to providing them with good care and ensuring their well-being.

What is a mini rabbit or dwarf rabbit

The mini rabbit, also known as the dwarf or toy rabbit, appeared in Holland in the twentieth century. Its origin is due to a cross between small rabbits that are the result of a mutation of a recessive gene that causes dwarfism with domestic and wild specimens. Due to this crossing, the dwarf variety, especially the Dutch, managed to establish itself.


The dwarf rabbit reaches a maximum of 1.5 kilograms and measures between 30 and 50 centimeters. As we already mentioned, feeding a dwarf rabbit is a very important aspect, because if we offer an inadequate diet, it can suffer from various pathologies, such as diarrhea, obesity and even intoxication.

Below we talk in detail about the Dwarf rabbit feeding.

How much should a mini rabbit eat a day?

We shouldn't be surprised if we notice that our mini rabbit eats a lot, as we are dealing with a species that requires a continual intake of food to maintain a healthy diet. proper bowel function. In fact, if we notice that the rabbit does not eat, we should go to the vet as it is an obvious symptom of an anomaly.

To explain why a rabbit eats a lot, we must pay attention to the digestion mechanism of the dwarf rabbit that is classified as "passive". When you eat any food, it stays in the digestive tract until another food can push it into the body. This is how digestion takes place in lagomorphs.


Once the food group is digested, the rabbit expels it with soft droppings, which it re-ingests in order to take advantage of all its nutrients. This is called coprophagy. After that, the droppings are expelled again in the form of hard feces that are no longer ingested by the rabbit.

In this sense, the types of foods that are combined are very important, as some can ferment in the digestive tract and generate diarrhea. Therefore, it is more advisable to use foods with high cellulose content and low in sugar, starch and fat.

In the following sections we will explain how much a mini rabbit has to eat per day, as this will directly depend on its vital stage.

Feeding the mini rabbit puppy

If you've just adopted a mini rabbit and are unsure about their diet, then we'll teach you what they eat.


What does a 1 month old mini rabbit eat?

Feeding the mini rabbit is important from the first days of its birth. Before 3 months of age, it is recommended that the dwarf rabbit eat mainly hay which should always be available in the cage. Hay is high in fiber, helps regulate digestion and keeps teeth that are developing healthy. It is also important to keep a bowl of fresh and clean water available all day.

Hay can also be used to form the nest of rabbits, as it is used to build what will be the bed. It is not recommended to add a new portion of food until the mini rabbit has consumed what is already in the cage, in order to avoid spoiling.

One mini rabbit must not eat more than 3 scoops a day of commercial feed, which is high in fiber and low in fat. At this stage, cereals should be avoided as they contain a lot of fat and the rabbit prefers to eat those pieces that have a higher content of fat and calories.

What does a mini rabbit eat from 3 to 12 months?

From the age of 3 months, in addition to hay and feed, you should add fresh vegetables to your diet. Then add one or two pieces of different vegetables two days a week so the rabbit can get to know them and, at the same time, so you can notice possible diarrhea or discomfort.

The servings a toy rabbit can eat increase as it grows, but they must never exceed its hay or feed intake during this stage. Balance your diet with three or four scoops of kibble daily, plus diced vegetable pieces three to four times and offer fruit only in a few days.

Adult mini rabbit feeding

The toy rabbit will reach maturity between 9 and 12 months. At this stage it is necessary reduce feed portions commercial diet of the mini rabbit and increase the amount of fresh vegetables and fruits.

What do mini rabbits eat?

It is recommended to offer between three and four types daily different from vegetables that have been cut and cleaned and do not add another portion until the rabbit has consumed them. Hay is still indispensable, so it must be available at all times. Regarding the mini rabbit food, choose those that have a higher proportion of fiber, a little protein, calcium and practically no fat. For an adult rabbit, calculate between 25 and 30 grams per day.

Continuing with the feeding of the mini rabbit, the fruit will continue on its menu, but limit it to a few times a week, as it usually is rich in sugars and can be harmful to the animal's health. Between two and three times a week is more than enough. Of course, vary the types so that your rabbit learns to eat everything.

Rabbit treats should be avoided, so offer some only once in a while, no more than a few times a month. A healthy rabbit consumes between 80 and 150 milliliters of water, about.

Keep in mind that mini rabbits or dwarfs can spend most of the day just eating, so if you're not home, leave plenty of hay and the daily portion of feed in the cage, plus some fresh vegetables, but don't fill the food space. to prevent it from decomposing. Although they eat a lot, each portion must be small.

Fruits and vegetables for mini rabbits

For a correct feeding of the mini rabbit, we must know in depth the list of fruits and vegetables recommended for the species. Remember that it is very important to vary food to enrich your daily life and provide a diet as balanced as possible.

Here are some fruits and vegetables for dwarf rabbits:

  • spinach
  • Carrot
  • Beet
  • Cucumber
  • Basil
  • Turnip
  • Celery
  • Lettuce
  • Alfalfa
  • Broccoli
  • Chard
  • Arugula
  • Clover
  • Papaya
  • Cherry
  • Kiwi
  • Peach
  • Pineapple
  • watermelon
  • Strawberry
  • Melon
  • Apple
  • Artichoke
  • Mint

Banned food for mini rabbits

There are also some foods that are harmful to your rabbit, or that should be consumed in moderation to avoid stomach problems and even intoxication. Some of them are:

  • nightshade
  • Oat
  • dairy products
  • Legumes
  • Parsley (in large quantities)
  • Bread
  • Potatoes
  • sweets and sugars
  • snacks and sugars
  • fried food
  • Dog and cat food
  • Nuts

See the prohibited food for rabbits article to learn about all these foods in detail and to prevent your toy rabbit from consuming them.

How to feed a dwarf rabbit

Now that you know all about feeding a mini rabbit, we've added some general tips and suggestions about how to properly feed a dwarf rabbit:

  • Offer fruits and vegetables washed, cut and at room temperature, never chilled from the refrigerator.
  • Keep an eye on your rabbit's health when introducing a new food, this is the only way to know if your body assimilates it correctly.
  • Hay should always be available, but make sure the portions are fresh.
  • Include pieces or pieces of wood that the rabbit can chew to wear out its teeth, as they never stop growing. Keep in mind that this wood cannot be varnished or treated. For more information, see the article on abnormal growth of rabbit teeth.
  • Change the rabbit's diet little by little, never all at once.
  • If a food (vegetable or fruit) spends all day in the cage, remove it and throw it away to prevent it from decomposing.

If you want to read more articles similar to Feeding the mini rabbit, we recommend that you enter our Balanced Diets section.