Article: This is the main component of a rabbit's diet and so it should be available at all times. Timothy, oat, and brome hay are good choices. Put it out on a daily basis in a clean area of the rabbit's cage.  For young growing rabbits (up to 4 months) feed alfalfa hay and pellets to provide extra calories needed for these life stages.  Dried ready grass hay is available from pet shops and feed stores or you can grow a tray of grass specially for the rabbit. These contain protein and fiber, essential for growing bunnies. Adult rabbits should get 1/4 cup for every 5 pounds of body weight.   Rabbits are herbivores and even hay and vegetables can make them gain weight. Pellets are more concentrated energy than hay and should be fed sparingly. Remember that your rabbit can't live on pellets alone. It is very important for the rabbit’s digestive tract to have long stem indigestible fiber in the form of Timothy or grass hay to prevent hairballs (trichobezoars) and to keep its digestive system happy and healthy. Chewing on long stem fiber also helps to wear down the rabbit’s continuously growing (hypsodont) teeth and prevent dental problems. Baby rabbits can have as many alfalfa pellets as they want until they are 6-7 months of age. Rabbits are famous for loving carrots, but these should only be given occasionally, as they have high sugar content. Wash the veggies completely and, if possible, feed organic greens.  Provide leafy greens like spinach as well as collards and turnip greens. In addition, mustard greens, cilantro/parsley, watercress, celery, and dandelion leaves are good vegetables for your rabbit. Two cups of vegetables a day is a good amount for most adult rabbits. Introduce greens a little at a time to avoid digestive upset. Younger rabbits, 12 weeks an older, you can add in one veggie a week, about a half an ounce at a time to avoid disrupting the cecum.  You can also feed your rabbit fruits like apples, blueberries, strawberries and bananas as special treats. Fruit is high in sugar, and should be fed sparingly, about 1 to 2 ounces per 6 pounds of body weight. Some vegetables aren't good for rabbits, including corn, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage,  beans, peas, potatoes, beets, onions, kale, and rhubarb. Also avoid feeding the rabbit with bamboo, seeds, grains, and any type of meat.  Human foods such as bread, chocolate, candy, dairy, and anything cooked should not be given to rabbits.  Do not give your bunny light lettuce (such as iceberg). It may kill them by causing diarrhea and digestive upset of the good bacteria in the gut. Romaine is best, but make sure it's organic if possible, and wash it before offering it to your rabbit. You can allow a rabbit to eat grass that has not been sprayed with herbicides or pesticides and let the bunny choose what to eat on the lawn. However, avoid cut grass that has been heated and crushed by the mower. The process of cutting it will hasten the fermentation process and can lead to bunny digestive problems. Fresh water must always be available and changed daily. You can put it in a bowl or in a bottle of the sort used to feed hamsters, but rabbit size, although a bowl of water can be easily spilled. Make sure it never runs out and clean it out frequently to prevent contamination. Make sure, if using a water bottle, that it is working properly and is not stuck open or closed.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Put out unlimited grass hay. Give the rabbit a dish of rabbit timothy hay pellets. Offer plenty of vegetables. Avoid giving your rabbit unhealthy foods. Supply plenty of clean water.