Growing those lovely coats of hair requires lots of energy and protein. Too little protein or energy and the rabbit will start to use its own muscle to make fur. However, weight should be monitored closely to prevent obesity due to too much energy. Young, growing rabbits do have a high carbohydrate requirement, however, their cecal bacteria can be more sensitive to a high carbohydrate diet than that of more mature rabbits. Therefore, grain and a fruit intake should be closely monitored in young rabbits and caretakers should watch for enterotoxemia problems.
Energy is needed to support immune function and support a fever.
It is very important that a sick rabbit be getting some nutritional support when the appetite is decreased. The following are some different foods that HRS Educators have found useful for syringe feeding rabbits who for one reason or another cannot eat the normal diet. Prozyme 1 tbs. Grind in a blender until shiny Pellets can also be mixed with fluid and left to expand overnight in the fridge. Water or pedialyte can be mixed with the pellets to give the proper consistency for syringe feeding For rabbits who cannot eat solid foods because of tooth or other problems, there are a couple different options.