View source for Rabbit Feeding Guide

=Introduction=
If you search the internet you will see repeated over and over that rabbits should have 80% hay or an all hay diet. The 80% hay recommendation  and propaganda was started by House Rabbit Society, an animal rights extremist organization. Oxbow is a partner to House Rabbit Society and funds them. For the past two decades House Rabbit Society has approached soon to graduate DVMs going into exotics specialty and  offered them "Assistance " on rabbits, even help starting their practices! This makes many vets beholden to HRS and their practices are colored with HRS faulty information.
 
I advise you to look at your sources a second time, even the big colleges, Purdue, UC Davis, Colorado, WSU.... look at their Rabbit care guides,  then scroll down to the citations and fine print... and you'll have House Rabbit Society's fingerprints in it. Hence why Oxbow bags carry their feeding recommendations. Oxbow has a near monopoly on the pet rabbit market and thus this incorrect info spread over the last two decades. Another point to keep in mind when reading House Rabbit Society propaganda is that in the 1990's the House rabbit society conflated Cavy and Rabbit care and even went as far as to suggest they could eat the same diet and be housed together. When it was found out that Rabbits and Cavy should not cohabitate due to the Cavy ability to infect rabbits with diseases, they retracted that recommendation but never adjusted their Rabbit dietary stance. 

One of the many reasons that Rabbits and Cavy are fed such different diets is because Rabbits have a different gut bacteria population to guinea pigs, so the mechanism of digestion is different in rabbits, despite similar anatomy

[https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0165779 Comparison of the microbial population in rabbits and guinea pigs by next generation sequencing]
Edward J. Crowley,Jonathan M. King,Toby Wilkinson,Hilary J. Worgan,Kathryn M. Huson,Michael T. Rose,Neil R. McEwan 
Published: February 9, 2017 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0165779


ARBA care guides are written by a panel of DVMs and pellets making up the majority of the diet is their recommendation. 
Not only that, but a study of the teeth/jaws and digestion of wild rabbits vs domestic rabbits concluded that hay is poor in nutrition, hard to chew which actually causes malocclusion, and causes periodontal disease from hay getting stuck between teeth. Wild rabbits are high nutrition selectors, they only resort to dried hay like grasses in times of starvation/deep winter, just to stay alive.

=Pellet Feeding Recommendations=

ARBA recommends feeding a complete balanced pellet as the main source of nutrition. Rule of thumb for selecting complete pellets for your rabbit should start with a baseline of 16% protein, 18% fiber, and a grass or legume as the first ingredient.  Typically feed instructions will suggest you feed a measured amount to most adult rabbits rationed twice a day. Total daily intake should  equal 1oz of pellet per lb of ideal adult body weight. Rabbits are crepuscular animals, active at dusk and dawn with a rest and digestion period during the day. ie:" a 10lb adult rabbit would receive 5oz of pellets in the morning and 5oz pellets at night. 

A complete balanced Pellets should make up between 80% and 100% of a rabbits diet.


==Nuanced Feeding recommendations :==

===Feeding Nursing and Pregnant Does===


Nursing and Pregnant animals have a higher Protein requirement while growing fetal kits. It is recommended that the Doe be kept on a regular feed ration for the first 2 weeks of pregnancy, but the feed should be gradually switched from a 16% maintenance diet to an 18% production diet. When the Does enter the 3rd week of pregnancy feed can be increased. After the Doe gives birth to a successful litter she should be allowed to free feed having a quality 18% pellet in front of her at all time until the kits are weaned, and she may remain on this diet until she has fully regained condition. 
Some Feed Additives that are safe and recommended to add to a nursing Does diet to help increase milk production are , Steam Rolled or Old fashioned Oats, Calf Mana, and Black oil sunflower seeds.

===Feeding Weanling Rabbits from 8 weeks to 20 weeks===


Animals of this age should be free fed a higher protein (17% to 20%) Complete Pellet since their bodies are growing.

===Feeding Adult Non-producing Rabbits===

Non-producing animals can be fed according to need, Protein between 15% or 17% are acceptable and will suit most animals needs. Make sure the pellet has a minimum of 15% fiber.  Non-producing and pet animals can be on a timothy or alfalfa based pellet. Other bases may be available but grass or legume hay based pellets are preferred. Try to avoid pellets that use grain as a base.

Total daily intake should equal 1oz of pellet per lb of ideal adult body weight. Rabbits are crepuscular animals, active at dusk and dawn with a rest and digestion period during the day. ie:" a 10lb adult rabbit would receive 5oz of pellets in the morning and 5oz pellets at night.

===Conditioning Show Rabbits===


==Feed Related Studies== 

[https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/rabbit_tracks_feeds_and_feeding  Rabbit Tracks: Feeds and Feeding April 24, 2017 - Author: Michigan State University Extension] <br />
Received: 23 May 2021 / Revised: 12 July 2021 / Accepted: 12 July 2021 / Published: 14 July 2021

[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275519611_Impact_of_feed_restriction_and_of_the_hygiene_of_housing_on_rabbit_performances_and_health Impact of feed restriction and of the hygiene of housing on rabbit performances and health]<br />
August 2013

[https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/7/662 Effects of Rocket Seed Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, and Their Mixture on Growth Performance, Feed Utilization, Digestibility, Redox Status, and Meat Fatty Acid Profile of Growing Rabbits]<br />
April 24, 2017 - Author: Michigan State University Extension

[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268003523_RECENT_RESEARCH_ADVANCES_IN_RABBIT_NUTRITION RECENT RESEARCH ADVANCES IN RABBIT NUTRITION]<br />
December 2000

[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287407223_Reflections_on_rabbit_nutrition_with_a_special_emphasis_on_feed_ingredients_utilization Reflections on rabbit nutrition with a special emphasis on feed ingredients utilization]<br />
January 2004

[https://www.vetfolio.com/learn/article/nutrition-know-how-pet-rabbit-nutrition Nutrition Know-How: Pet Rabbit Nutrition]<br />
September 2011 (Vol 32, No 9)

=Hay Feeding recommendations and balancing :=


 "There is a vast difference in the nutritional value of hay, depending on the type of hay, the quality of forage prior to preparation and the type of and manner of the curing process of hay."
 Dr. T.E.Reed, Rabbit Specialist

This is a limited listing of commonly fed Rabbit hays , for a FULL list of forage types please see [https://www.feedipedia.org/] Feedipedia which is an excellent breakdown of advanced nutritional breakdown including granular analysis of each feed type including hays , grasses Legumes forage, and grains. The following is a quick list of various Forages and there nutrient breakdowns. 


===Timothy===
[https://www.feedipedia.org/node/16886 Phleum pratense L.] [Poaceae]
Average 
*Protein       :% DM 13.8
*Fiber         :% DM 31.8
*Carbohydrates :% DM 4.7 -10.9


===Alfalfa ===
[https://www.feedipedia.org/node/275 Medicago sativa L.] [Fabaceae]

Average 
*Protein       :% DM	18.3	
*Fiber         :% DM 28.6	
*Carbohydrates :% DM 4.5	



===Oat forage ===
[https://www.feedipedia.org/node/500 Avena sativa L.] [Poaceae]

Average
*Protein       :% DM 9.1
*Fiber         :% DM 34.0	
*Carbohydrates :% DM 17.7	


=== Grass Hay ===

Catch all: Grass hay comes from a variety of sources  timothy, brome, orchard grass, tall fescue, and bermudagrass. It contains lower levels of carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals than legume hay. Grass hay is very high in fiber. Because grass hay contains fewer nutrients, it may be necessary to supplement your livestock’s diet to ensure its nutritional needs are being met.
*Protein       :% DM
*Fiber         :% DM
*Carbohydrates :% DM


===Mixed Grass/Legume Hay ===
 Legume and grass hay blends offer the best of both worlds and help bring nutritional balance to hay. Not only do these mixes provide a more well-rounded diet, but growing them together often 
 produces more forage than growing a legume or grass alone. When considering establishing a legume/grass hayfield, aim for a field containing around 1/3 grass to 2/3 legume. There are several 
 excellent combinations to plant. Some of the more popular combinations are orchardgrass/alfalfa and tall fescue/alfalfa. These mixed hays are readily eaten and healthy for all types of livestock.
[https://www.naturesseed.com/blog/which-pasture-plants-make-the-best-hay/#:~:text=Grass%20hay%20also%20comes%20from,is%20very%20high%20in%20fiber. hay]
*Protein       :% DM
*Fiber         :% DM
*Carbohydrates :% DM


===Bermuda grass ===
[https://www.feedipedia.org/node/471 Cynodon dactylon Pers.] [Poaceae]

*Protein       :% DM 9.8
*Fiber         :% DM 31.3	
*Carbohydrates :% DM 0.8	


== Quick links to Hay Resources ==
[https://www.feedipedia.org/node/16886 Timothy ]

[https://extension.psu.edu/understanding-a-hay-analysis Understanding a Hay Analysis]

[https://extadmin.ifas.ufl.edu/media/extadminifasufledu/cflag/image/docs/fl-equine-institute/2006/SelectingHay.pdf Selecting Hay for Your Horse ]
Lori K. Warren, PhD, PAS Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida

[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5606619/ Shape Variation in the Craniomandibular System and Prevalence of Dental Problems in Domestic Rabbits: A Case Study in Evolutionary Veterinary Science]
Vet Sci. 2017 Mar; 4(1): 5.  Published online 2017 Jan 24. doi: 10.3390/vetsci4010005  PMCID: PMC5606619      PMID: 29056664

[https://www.agdaily.com/crops/list-of-types-of-hay-found-us/ List of hay found in US]

[https://tributeequinenutrition.com/articles/whats-difference-between-grass-and-legume-forages Differences between Grass and Legume forages]

[https://www.hobbyfarms.com/all-hay-is-not-equal-choose-your-livestocks-carefully/  All Hay Is Not Equal: Choose Your Livestock’s Carefully]


=Rabbit Snacks and Treats =



[https://mmcrabbits.com/BCWiki/index.php/Recipes_to_Make_Treats_For_Rabbits Recipe page:]

=Debunked Studies whose info is still used as "evidence" for House Rabbit society Propaganda:=

[https://www.proquest.com/openview/aab930d5ae37a871a6db58254da14fdb/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2041027&fbclid=IwAR231sEmTCZBjH9nE5l6q1mFN-Hb9dXPREmaXCS279ipOCuc4BZDUXeJGtQ Preference of rabbits for drinking from open dishes versus nipple drinkers ]
Tschudin, A; Clauss, M; Codron, D; Hatt, J-M.The Veterinary Record; London Vol. 168, Iss. 7,  (Feb 19, 2011): 190.

This study was widely discredited, and removed from ResearchGate, and PubMed , becuse the sample size was 12 dwarf rabbits total. Not large enough sample to gather any conclusive evidence.





Also questionable Sources on the House Rabbit society care pages House Rabbit Society cites three sources for their information  at the bottom of their care page, they cite zero studies, and  zero research, you are expected to take what they post as gospel with no reviewable sources to back it up. it is there for not academic but a op-ed opinion piece.  :

*Dr. Susan Smith, Ph.D., Professor of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
*Dr. Micah Kohles, DVM, MPA, Oxbow Animal Health
*Dr. Peter G. Fisher, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Exotic Companion Mammal), Pet Care Veterinary Hospital



<b>Dr. Susan Smith, Ph.D., Professor of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison<b> ( 2002-2010 National Board of Directors, House Rabbit Society (Richmond CA) 
https://sph.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/112/2016/07/Susan_Smith_CV.pdf

While Dr Susan Smith has a lot of "invited guest speaker"  positions, mostly to HRS conventions, and several Lay-person opinion  articles on her resume. She has Zero studies involving rabbits in her  published body of research, Zero rabbit related peer reviewed papers, and Zero Rabbit related study sponsorships. In fact all her rabbit related activates are solely on the House Rabbit society board , where they seem to be using her doctorate to give House Rabbit Society Opinions more clout but not to back up these opinions with any solid science.   


Dr. Micah Kohles, DVM, MPA, Oxbow Animal Health 
VP of Technical Services and Research, Oxbow Animal Health, 
he was part of the study that tested , The Effect of Feed Form on Diet Digestibility and Cecal Parameters in Rabbits
December 2017Animals 7(12):95 DOI:10.3390/ani7120095 [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321658593_The_Effect_of_Feed_Form_on_Diet_Digestibility_and_Cecal_Parameters_in_Rabbits] . This study had a total sample size of 15 new Zealand Rabbits. Broken into three groups of five Rabbits.  "Rabbits were placed in individual cages with ad libitum access to water and food for 45 days acclimation followed by 30 days experimental period." 

 "Simple Summary: In addition to hay or forage in the diet pet rabbits are commonly fed a supplementary food as a muesli (granular mix), pellets, or extruded croquettes. This study aimed to determine ifform of this supplementary 
 diet (pelleted vs. extruded) or composition (muesli) had an effect on the diets total tract digestibility and cecal fermentation patterns. Rabbits had slightly higher intake whenfed extruded and pelleted diets compared to muesli. 
 Digestibility results were inconsistent between estimation methods. The extruded diet was more digestible than pelleted according to the total collection digestibility method, but according to internal marker acid insoluble ash 
 the pelleted diet was the most digestible. Both the extruded and pelleted diet had similar fermentation patterns, with lower cecal pH and greater proportions of butyrate. Our findings suggest that diet composition, rather than 
 form,  may have a greater impact on nutrient utilization by rabbits" 

The pellet used was also only 14% protein. and the sample size was tiny.


 Gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology of select exotic ... https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24767739/   text behind paywall.
 by M Kohles · 2014

note:  a visible study on this  topic is represented about that shows the gut bacteria and digestion is different between Rabbit and Cavy.