Providing your rabbit a healthy diet is a fairly simple process because the foods that they need for proper nutrition are readily available. While your rabbit’s diet should consist primarily of hay and grass, the rest of the diet should come from pellets, muesli, and vegetables. Many rabbit owners struggle to decide whether regular rabbit feed pellets or muesli is the better option. To better understand which type of food you should be feeding your family pet, take a look at these pros and cons of each.
Muesli
Muesli is commercial rabbit food that you can get at just about any pet supply store or feed store. Muesli can range in ingredients according to the manufacturer, but most often consists of a blend of things like grains, seeds, flaked dehydrated vegetables, small nutrition pellets, pieces of or nuggets of hay, such as alfalfa and timothy.
1. Muesli gives your pet rabbit a variety of foods in one serving.
2. Muesli can satisfy a rabbit’s natural need to chew and keep them entertained.
3. Muesli is readily available.
1. The rabbit can pick over the different types of food in muesli, which means they may not get as many vitamins and minerals from the food as what is suggested on the product label.
2. Some research has suggested that muesli can be a poor diet choice because it may not always contain the right ingredients and also may not do a good job of keeping teeth ground down.
Rabbit Pellets
Rabbit pellets are basically a blend of chopped hay and added nutrients, particularly fibre. While these are the basic ingredients in pellets, some pellets also contain things like artificial colours or vegetable additives, which are really not necessary.
1. Rabbit pellets are easy to find and inexpensive.
2. Pellets have a long shelf life as long as they are kept away from moisture.
3. Pellets, when chosen properly, give the rabbit the nutrition it needs for a healthy digestive system.
1. Rabbit pellets can mold and ferment if exposed to moisture, so this food is best kept in a cool, dry place.
2. The nutritive value of rabbit pellets can range from brand to brand, which means you will have to research to find the best if you don’t have a reliable supplier.
Whilst both muesli and rabbit pellets have their own sets of advantages, there are also some cons to be considered with each. Feeding your pet bunny a rich and healthy diet to support their health is always the end goal, so whichever food you choose, make sure you do your research to determine its nutritive value. Look at our rabbit supplies to find a nice selection of pellets, hay, and treats for your bunny.