Rabbit food and Natural Rabbit Food!

You can order rabbit food easily and quickly from DRD ^{Knaagdierwinkel®}

At DRD ^{Knaagdierwinkel®} ordering rabbit food is a piece of cake! We ensure that your fluffy friend gets the perfectly balanced meal that his sensitive digestive system needs. Our food is not only nutritious and rich in fiber, but also simply rabbit-tastic!

Rabbit food must be balanced and tailored to the rabbit's sensitive digestive system. The diet should be nutritious and rich in fiber. That is why you have come to the right place for food for your Rabbit at DRD ^{Knaagdierwinkel®} !

We are rodent and rabbit experts and this is reflected in our range of rabbit food. We don't just allow any brand on our shelves, oh no! Only the very best food deserves a place with us. We have strict requirements: freshness, long shelf life and meeting all the nutritional needs of your rabbit. That's how serious we are when it comes to rabbit food!

Rabbits are adorable herbivores that belong to the lagomorph order. They are mainly active at dusk and at night, and in addition to being gregarious, they are also social critters. Even as pets, rabbits should not be left alone. They do best as a pair (a neutered male and a female) or even in larger groups. Like other small mammals, rabbits have special nutritional needs, especially when it comes to their digestion. We want your rabbit to live a healthy and vital life, so we take that very seriously.

Nutrition guide for rabbits

Rabbits need a low-energy, high-fiber diet. Their digestive system is designed to digest fiber-rich foods, primarily in the large intestine. Hay must always be available, because rabbits always need to be able to nibble. The rabbit's gastrointestinal tract is passive and weakly muscled. It does not make peristaltic movements to push food through. The food must be pushed along by constant intake of nutrition.

If your rabbit is fed too much energy-rich food, it may have too long 'eating breaks'. In nature, a rabbit eats 80 to 120 small meals a day! They spend practically the entire day eating, just like a true gourmet.

Rabbit food & fiber

Rabbit food & protein

Rabbits do indeed need (vegetable) proteins as part of their diet, but it is important to find the right balance. Proteins are essential nutrients used for the growth, repair and maintenance of muscles and other body tissues.

Young rabbits generally need slightly more protein than adult rabbits, because they are still in the growth phase. Older rabbits can also benefit from a little more protein, as they can lose muscle mass as they age. In general, however, adult rabbits do not have extremely high protein requirements.

It is important to remember that rabbits in the wild eat their own cecal droppings, which are rich in vitamins and proteins. These droppings are produced in the appendix, where the smallest fiber components are broken down. By eating these droppings, the rabbit gets important nutrients back into its system.

If a rabbit consumes too much protein in its diet, the rabbit may stop eating its cecal droppings. This can lead to digestive problems, such as diarrhea and sticky stools. It is therefore important to balance the protein content in a rabbit's diet.

High-quality rabbit foods and pellets usually contain the right amount of protein necessary for rabbit health. However, it is important to avoid overfeeding your rabbit with foods rich in protein, such as seeds, nuts, legumes or too many pellets. These foods can contain too much protein and can cause problems.

It is always advisable to discuss your rabbit's diet with a vet, especially if you have specific concerns about your rabbit's protein requirements. A veterinarian can give you tailor-made advice based on your rabbit's age, health status and other individual needs.

Rabbit food & Calcium

Calcium is indeed an essential nutrient for rabbits as it is important for dental and skeletal health. It plays a crucial role in bone formation and strength.

However, it is important to balance rabbits' calcium intake as too much calcium can be harmful. Rabbits have a unique calcium metabolism, in which excess calcium is excreted via the kidneys and urinary tract. If there is an excess of calcium, it can lead to the formation of bladder stones in rabbits. Bladder stones are hard deposits that can form in the bladder or urinary tract and cause problems with urination.

It is important to regulate the calcium levels in rabbits' diet to prevent bladder stones. Adult rabbits generally require a calcium level of about 0.6% in their diet. It is also important to monitor the ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the diet, with the ideal ratio being between 1.5:1 and 2:1.

It is advisable to use high-quality rabbit food that is specially formulated for the nutritional needs of rabbits. These foods usually contain the right balance of calcium and other nutrients that rabbits need. In addition, it is important to ensure sufficient roughage in a rabbit's diet, such as hay, as this can help regulate calcium absorption.

It is also important to avoid feeding rabbits with foods that are excessively rich in calcium, such as calcium-rich vegetables, supplements or excessive use of pellets. This can lead to an imbalanced calcium intake and cause problems.

If you are concerned about your rabbit's calcium intake or have specific questions about its diet, it is advisable to contact a veterinarian. A vet can give you specific advice based on your rabbit's needs and health.

Rabbit food & fats

Fats are indeed an important part of rabbits' diet. Essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, are necessary for several bodily functions, including the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, skin and coat health, and supporting the immune system.

While fats are important, it is true that too much fat in a rabbit's diet can cause problems. A diet that is too rich in fat can cause digestive problems such as diarrhea, disturbed intestinal flora and reduced food digestion. It can also lead to weight gain and obesity, which in turn can lead to other health problems in rabbits.

Therefore, it is important to balance the fat content in a rabbit's diet. In general, it is recommended to feed rabbit food that has a moderate fat content, which meets the rabbit's nutritional needs without excessive fat intake.

It is also important to note that the source of fat in a rabbit's diet matters. It is best to opt for healthy fat sources, such as vegetable oils or seeds, rather than fats of animal origin. Saturated fats should be avoided as much as possible as they can contribute to health problems.

As with every aspect of a rabbit's diet, it is advisable to use high-quality rabbit food formulated to meet the nutritional needs of rabbits. In addition, the diet should be supplemented with sufficient roughage, such as hay, which is essential for good intestinal health and the proper functioning of the digestive system.

If you have any questions about your rabbit's diet or are concerned about its fat content, it is wise to seek advice from a veterinarian or rabbit nutrition specialist. They can help you determine the right nutrition and balance in your rabbit's diet.

Rabbit Teeth

Rabbit teeth are indeed unique in that they continue to grow throughout the rabbit's life. This applies to both the incisors, which are located in the upper and lower jaw, and to the molars. Because of this, it is important to ensure that the position of the teeth is correct so that they can wear down naturally and do not continue to grow uncontrollably.

To promote optimal tooth wear, the choice of food is an important factor. It is essential that the food has a rough fiber structure. This means that the rabbit must receive sufficient roughage, such as hay, grass and leafy vegetables. These foods require good chewing motion, which helps wear down the teeth.

Roughage is crucial because the rabbit has a wearing effect on its teeth when chewing. It also helps to maintain the correct position of the teeth and prevent excessive growth. By constantly chewing roughage, the teeth are worn down to a normal length.

In addition to roughage, providing fresh vegetables and certain types of wood (e.g. willow) can also help promote tooth wear. This encourages the rabbit to gnaw and helps with the natural wear and tear of the teeth.

It is important to note that a diet consisting mainly of bland foods, such as commercial rabbit food high in starches and sugars, is not sufficient for proper tooth wear. The rabbit needs the constant stimulation of roughage to keep its teeth healthy.

If a rabbit's teeth do not wear down naturally or if there are other problems such as excessive growth, misalignment or dental problems, it is important to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. A veterinarian can assess the rabbit's teeth and, if necessary, take the necessary steps to restore dental health.

In short, the correct position of the teeth and a diet containing sufficient crude fiber are crucial to promote optimal wear of rabbits' teeth and prevent dental problems.

The stomach of rabbits

Rabbits indeed have a special type of stomach, also called a 'full stomach'. Unlike other animals, the stomach of rabbits is less muscular and cannot independently transport food to the next part of the intestinal tract.

Instead, this process is taken over by the food portions that are consumed one after the other. This explains why rabbits eat an average of 80-120 small portions of food per day. These portions should be adjusted to the maintenance needs of adult rabbits or to the growth of young rabbits.

It is important to properly manage rabbits' diets to prevent digestive problems and obesity. Giving too much food at one time can cause problems because the rabbit's stomach is unable to process large amounts of food efficiently. Dividing the daily diet into several small portions helps the rabbit's digestive system function optimally.

It is therefore advisable to tailor the diet of rabbits to their specific needs, such as the maintenance needs of adult animals or the growth of young rabbits. It is important to provide the right amount of food to meet the rabbit's nutritional needs, without overfeeding.

It is also essential to ensure that a rabbit's diet is varied and consists of a combination of hay, fresh vegetables, limited amounts of pellets and the occasional fruit. This ensures a good balance of nutrients and fiber necessary for healthy digestion.

By taking into account the special stomach structure of rabbits and their need for frequent small food portions, digestive problems and obesity can be avoided, thus promoting the rabbits' overall health and well-being.

The cecum of rabbits

The cecum of rabbits plays an important role in their digestive system. The large cecum functions as a kind of fermentation chamber into which fine dietary fibers end up. In this cecum, the dietary fibers are converted into proteins, vitamin B complex and vitamin K by special bacteria.

A unique aspect of the rabbit cecum is the production of cecal droppings. These droppings have a grape-like shape and are covered with a mucus layer. Rabbits eat them directly from the anus, which is known as cecotrophy. This is a natural process that is vital to rabbit health.

The consumed cecal droppings are then digested in the small intestine, allowing the rabbits to absorb essential nutrients such as proteins and vitamins. These droppings are rich in nutrients, especially the aforementioned proteins and vitamins, which are formed in the cecum during the first part of digestion.

By re-eating the cecal droppings, rabbits can get the most out of these valuable nutrients. The process of cecotrophy is therefore crucial for the health and well-being of rabbits. It provides them with nutrients that would otherwise be lost.

It is important to understand that cecal feces and regular feces, which consist primarily of indigestible fiber, are two different types of feces. It is normal for rabbits to eat cecal droppings and it is an essential part of their digestive process.

However, it is also important to ensure a balanced diet that contains the right amount of dietary fiber to support the healthy functioning of the cecum. A diet consisting mainly of hay, supplemented with a moderate amount of fresh vegetables, limited amounts of pellets and occasional fruit will help stimulate proper cecal function and promote healthy digestion in rabbits.

Calcium - phosphorus

the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth. A balanced ratio of calcium and phosphorus in a rabbit's diet is important to prevent health problems.

Rabbits have a specific calcium metabolism in which calcium is mainly stored in the bones and teeth. It is essential that they get enough calcium through their diet to keep these structural elements healthy.

However, excess calcium in the diet of adult rabbits can lead to bladder grit or even bladder stones, as excess calcium is excreted through the urine. Therefore, it is important to choose the right nutritional components to optimize calcium intake.

The optimal calcium levels in the basic food are as follows:

Young rabbits: 0.9% calcium* Adult rabbits: 0.6% calcium

The higher calcium content in the diet of young rabbits is due to their rapid growth and development. They need more calcium to build healthy bones and teeth during this growth phase. As rabbits mature, the calcium level in their diet can be reduced to 0.6%, which is sufficient to maintain their bone health without causing excessive calcium deposits.

It is also important to ensure a balanced ratio of calcium and phosphorus in the diet. In general, it is recommended that the calcium to phosphorus ratio be between 1.5:1 and 2:1 for a healthy rabbit diet.

Maintaining the correct balance between calcium and phosphorus in the diet and following the recommended calcium levels for different rabbit life stages can reduce the risk of health problems such as bladder grit or bladder stones and help rabbits maintain optimal bone and dental health. If in doubt or for specific nutritional needs of rabbits, it is advisable to seek advice from a veterinarian or a specialized rabbit expert.

Importance of the crude fiber to starch ratio

The ratio of crude fiber to starch in a rabbit's diet is of great importance to their health. Both crude fiber and starch have different effects on the digestion and general well-being of rabbits.

Crude fiber is essential for rabbit health. They contribute to good digestion, support the functioning of the appendix and are important for the wear and tear of the teeth. Food with a rough fiber structure is necessary to promote tooth wear in a natural way. A good rabbit food should contain approximately 20% crude fiber to meet the rabbit's needs.

Starch, on the other hand, is mainly a source of energy and should be present in limited quantities in the feed. Too much starch in the diet can lead to several problems. An ideal guideline value for starch in high-quality rabbit food is below 7%. Excessive starch intake can lead to food cravings, changes in intestinal flora, swelling, diarrhea, fermentation and even obesity.

An unbalanced ratio of crude fiber to starch in the long term can be detrimental to rabbit health. Too little crude fiber can lead to intestinal sluggishness, changes in intestinal flora and problems with the functioning of the appendix. Too much starch can lead to digestive problems, disruption of intestinal flora, swelling, diarrhea, fermentation and obesity.

For these reasons, veterinarians generally recommend a minimum 3:1 ratio of crude fiber to starch in a rabbit's diet. This ratio ensures that rabbits get enough crude fiber for healthy digestion and dental health, while limiting starch intake to prevent problems.

It is important to remember that rabbits are herbivores and evolved to eat a high fiber diet. Therefore, it is essential to choose high-quality rabbit food that contains sufficient crude fiber and limits starch intake, in addition to offering a varied range of suitable vegetables and hay. If in doubt or for specific nutritional needs of your rabbit, consult a veterinarian or a specialized rabbit expert.

How do I actually know how much starch my food contains?

The composition is very useful: whole grain grains (with starchy flour body), field beans, potatoes or peas are an indication that a higher starch content should be taken into account.