.As was discussed in HRJ volume III number 4, for the NONBREEDING house rabbit the least important
part of the diet is the pellets. These concentrated food sources were designed originally for rabbits in
production (for food or fur) and for laboratory rabbits. They are packed with calories and vitamins and
minerals. Nonbreeding house rabbits do not need these extra calories and they produce most of their
own vitamins through their cecotropes when provided a diet high in hay and fresh foods. I rarely
recommend pellets as part of the diet for a house rabbit unless I am trying to increase the weight of a
patient r in cases where hay cannot be given because it is unavailable or the humans in the household are
allergic to it. We have seen hundreds of rabbits (including my own three; a Flemish Giant, a mini rex and
a mixed breed) that are in excellent condition on a hay and fresh food diet alone. These rabbits rarely