Quality of rabbit food (or lack thereof)...

[Inimical Me]

Out of interest, everytime I see a brand of rabbit food I check out the nutritional value (I'm sure you're all the same)...and I can't for the life of me fathom why they're all such appalling quality! That Wagg Bunny Brunch muck has a piffling 8% fibre or something...and the Wagg premium stuff isn't much better. Tesco's own value Rabbit and Guinea Pig food (without noticable enough info about the vitamin C issue if you ask me), has even less! Apart from Burgess, Science Selectie and A&P, they're all appalling! What excuse is there for the manufacturer of a rabbit food to produce and flog something that is going to do your animal more harm than good? Do they have any idea about the nutrition needed by the animals they're so pathetically catering for? Would it really cost any more to up the fibre levels and reduce the protein? Even in a bloody mix? GAH, this really rubs me up the wrong way. I understand that they're obv. in it for the money, but why create such blatant rubbish?! Surely it wouldn't cost that much to make the food higher in fibre?! Too many under educated rabbit owners are going around believing that just because it says "rabbit food", it's good for them!

[Estelle]

I didn't even know Tesco sold rabbit food. I'll have a look next time I go in. It maybe worth writing to all the retailers to complain and suggest an alternative rabbit food they could sell instead.
I don't bother with commercial foods myself, my buns just eat hay, grass and a wide variety of vegetables.

[Bionic Bunny]

The Tesco value rabbit and guinea pig food is apalling. I wrote a letter to them complaining but I have never heard back. The artificial colours in Russel Rabbit are classed as either dangerous or carcinogenic. In defence of the Wagg food it isn't designed to be complete and does say that hay needs to be fed. However, many of the foods available claim to be complete.

[Toby]

Try not to get to worked up about it hon. I do think more rabbit food should be of better quality, but most don’t think rabbits are worth the hassle. I don’t think they have caught onto rabbit welfare yet. However saying that, I wouldn’t say “Apart from Burgess, Science Selectie and A&P, they're all appalling!” because probably the majority of rabbits out there HATE these products. If I left a bowl of this stuff in front of mine he would probably die of starvation. “Too many under educated rabbit owners are going around believing that just because it says "rabbit food", it's good for them!”That would make me a very un educated rabbit owner then. Because although I don’t think that everything that states rabbit food on is healthy, it is made for rabbits and therefore I will try it. I believe rabbits should try different things, if not for a varied diet but to keep them happy. I know I wouldn’t be happy eating the same thing over and over day in and day out. But again this all comes down to the rabbit. We all know our rabbits and what there tummies can cope with. Toby can eat almost anything without being effected, therfore I try in on a lot of things, and his done great with it.

[Lynn]

I wouldn’t say “Apart from Burgess, Science Selectie and A&P, they're all appalling!” because probably the majority of rabbits out there HATE these products.

Rob and Molly must be in the minority then as they love Science Selective Rob wasn't keen at first but it was worth persevering as I think it's much better for him than some of the other offerings.

[Bionic Bunny]

My rabbit must too. He only likes the expensive pellets. I think the key it to feed what is natural. In the wild rabbits eat little or no seeds and they certainly do not eat artificial colourings! Sorry but this is an issue I am passionate about.

[Toby]

But its proof to me that these foods are not as bad because of Toby’s age! For a rabbit to eat mixed food for 14 years is proof to me that people may be worrying a bit "too" much. I don't disagree for a second that there isn’t better food out there, there is and I know mine is such a faddy b****r BUT maybe people are worrying to much? I dunno. It just confuses me because people say how "dangerous" food like Russell rabbit is and mine has lived off nothing but mixed rabbit food. The vet confirmed he has the body of a 3 year old and his very healthy. So I find it confusing. Maybe rabbits get fibre from other things? When Toby did eat a few Pellets he had to be rushed to the vet will tummy issues. So I will never feed him pellets again.

[Estelle]

Amber was fed on some mixed food when I got her. I think it was mayfields flakes with herbs but not sure It was only 8% Fibre. Her poo's were really tiny and dark brown which I think is a sign of a slow gut. I weaned her off it and she now only eats hay, grass and veg. She has big golden brown poo's now.
I think if she had been moulting and swallowed her fur then it could have caused a blockage if her gut was slow.
Its better to be on the safe side and get the highest fibre food that your rabbit will eat

[Bionic Bunny]

Toby has obviously done well on a mix over the years. You have done an excellent job with him! Every rabbit is an individual, some may be able to cope with mixes, but in my experience most rabbits can't. I don't believe my rabbit would still be here if he was still on the food he was on when i got him. He is now 9, can jump one metre and has come fighting from two operations.

[Toby]

Toby has obviously done well on a mix over the years. You have done an excellent job with him! Every rabbit is an individual, some may be able to cope with mixes, but in my experience most rabbits can't. I don't believe my rabbit would still be here if he was still on the food he was on when i got him. He is now 9, can jump one metre and has come fighting from two operations.

9? is he in my Golden Bunny collection :wink: Well Done hon 9 is a great age