Brussels, 27 November 2024: FEDIAF, the voice of the European Pet Food Industry, is delighted to announce the release of its updated 2024 Nutritional Guidelines for Feeding Pet Rabbits. This comprehensive document provides essential guidance and scientifically-backed recommendations to help ensure the health and wellbeing of pet rabbits, through provision of nutritionally balanced diets.
Dr. Donna Snellgrove, co-chair of FEDIAF’s Small Pets Working Group and Dr Christine Huggett, content co-ordinator explain: “Our thorough review of the latest scientific literature, and practical experience as nutritionists, vets and technical experts has enabled us to refine and further develop these guidelines, making them a valuable tool for the pet food industry, and beyond. We are extremely grateful to all our experts for their contributions and time spent reviewing this updated version.”
New content highlights include:
- An introduction to the rabbit as a species, its unique anatomy and physiology, and how this impacts its nutritional requirements.
- Guidance on practical formulation and feeding of rabbits, describing the different commercially available dietary formats, as well as forages and fresh foodstuffs (cultivated vegetables, wild plants) that may be fed to rabbits alongside prepared rabbit foods.
- Information on water requirements, including consumption and provision.
- A new section on labelling of pet rabbit foods.
- New appendices outlining body condition scoring of rabbits, and lists of safe and toxic plants for rabbits.
The overarching objectives of the Nutritional Guidelines are to:
- Support the production of nutritionally balanced foods for adult and growing pet rabbits, and compliance with EU regulations. This includes practical nutrient recommendations for manufacturers formulating complete diets for pet rabbits, and those designing complementary diets, to be fed alongside forage and fresh foodstuffs.
- Assist manufacturers in evaluating the nutritional value of rabbit foods by providing guidance on unique nutritional requirements, such as dietary fibre, essential for rabbits’ digestive health and dental maintenance, and analytical determination of its various fractions.
- Serve as a reference for EU and local authorities, consumer organisations, professionals, and pet owners on pet rabbit nutrition, further enhancing collaboration among pet food manufacturers, pet care professionals, and regulatory bodies.
- Complement FEDIAF’s other key guidelines, such as the Nutritional Guidelines for Cats and Dogs, Guide to Good Practice for the Manufacture of Safe Pet Foods and Code for Good Labelling Practice for Pet Food.
Alice Tempel Costa, FEDIAF Deputy Secretary-General, emphasised the guidelines’ value, saying, “This document is an essential resource for manufacturers dedicated to producing safe, nutritious, and enjoyable food for rabbits. They incorporate the latest knowledge on rabbit nutrition to support the creation of high-quality diets.”
“We extend our sincere thanks to the experts who contributed to this document, including Dr. Christine Huggett, Dr. John Lowe, Prof. Anna Meredith, Dr. Suzanne Moyes, Penny Ormsby, Ellie Parkes, Marion Turnbull, Dr. Donna Snellgrove, and Dr. Molly Varga-Smith. Special thanks also go to external reviewers Prof. Julian Wiseman and Prof. Jürgen Zentek.”
The full Nutritional Guidelines for Feeding Pet Rabbits are now available at www.fediaf.org. Throughout our website, you will also find general information on FEDIAF’s work to promote nutritious pet food, the value of pets in society and sustainability from farm to bowl.