Vitamins are necessary for the flow of almost all biochemical and metabolic processes in the body. These highly active substances are needed in very small quantities, but even the slightest lack of them can lead to disastrous consequences. Some vitamins can be obtained from the diet, however, in home-based feeds, they do not always cover the needs of rabbits for various vitamin substances, especially in the winter season, therefore special vitamin preparations should be introduced into the diet.
What vitamins do rabbits need?
Rabbits need a full range of vitamin substances, each of which performs a specific function in the body. Vitamins can be fat soluble (A, E, K, D) and water soluble (C, B group, biotin). The latter are distinguished by the fact that they cannot accumulate in the body, therefore they must constantly come in from food, and if they are deficient, the symptoms of deficiency appear more quickly.
Did you know? If the rabbit is extremely frightened, the heart may stop.Fat soluble vitamin substances:
- BUT - ensures the proper growth of the body, regulates reproductive function, the state of the epithelium and bone tissue, and also strengthens the immune system;
- TO - participates in the formation of bone tissue, blood formation processes;
- E - without its participation, reproductive function is impossible, tocopherol is also responsible for protection at the cellular level, being the strongest antioxidant;
- D - is responsible for the formation and strength of bones, phosphoric-calcium metabolism,
Water soluble substances:
- WITH - without it, no biochemical processes can proceed, he is also responsible for immunity, resistance to adverse environmental conditions;
- B vitamins - are responsible for the normal functioning of the nervous and digestive systems, blood formation, metabolic processes, assimilation of various elements;
- biotin - the main function is the synthesis of many substances: glucose, amino acids, fatty acids.
Natural vitamins
As we have indicated, a certain amount of vitamins can be obtained from rabbits from food. The diet of animals should be varied and balanced, only in this case we can talk about a number of nutrients in the body. Vitamins in their natural, natural form can be obtained from the following groups of products.
Find out what green rabbit feed requirements are.
Green feed
Green food is a very important component of the diet of rabbits, because of them animals get not only vitamin substances, but also minerals, fully digestible and easily digestible carbohydrates and proteins. 
Green foods include such groups:
- legumes and cereal grass mixtures (alfalfa, clover, sweet clover, salvage, vetch, winter rye, barley, oats, corn);
- meadow and forest herbs (plantain, nettle, yarrow, sow thistle, tansy, dandelion, wheat grass);
- root vegetables (fodder and sugar beet, fodder cabbage, carrot).
Important! Herbs should be cut and harvested before and during flowering, as coarse, old parts of plants are poorly digested and absorbed by the digestive system of rabbits.
Succulent feed
Succulent feeds make up a significant part of the diet in the autumn-winter period. They are rich in vitamin substances, nutritious, besides with great pleasure they are eaten by rabbits. 
The main groups of succulent feeds:
- gourds. Rabbits can be given feed watermelons, melons, zucchini and pumpkin (it can be fed with raw or boiled). Gourds contain approximately the same amount of vitamins A, group B, C, K;
- roots. Especially willingly rabbits eat carrots and fodder beets (not red table beets!), Which are a source of ascorbic acid, vitamins K, C and group B;
- silage. These are the same green food, but in a fermented form. It is best to silage coarse plants that are not suitable for drying on hay: cabbage leaves, corn stalks, tops, and root vegetables. Silage is necessary for rabbits to replenish stocks of ascorbic acid and beta-carotene.
Familiarize yourself with the features of the use of rabbit branch feed.
Roughage
Rough rabbit feed consists of the following products:
- hay and straw. They form the basis of roughage, replenishing the body with vitamins C and K, and are also an excellent source of fiber;
- grass meal. It is a source of vitamins C, K, as well as A, E and group B;
- twigs (willow, linden, juniper, birch, mountain ash, acacia, maple). Fill the body with ascorbic acid, vitamin B substances, retinol and tocopherol.
Concentrated feed
Nutrient foods with high energy value are called concentrated: leguminous crops, oilcake and bran. The basis of the diet of rabbits are such cereals as oats, corn, wheat and barley:
- oats is a source of vitamins B1, B5, B9 and K;
- corn contains various vitamins, but in a relatively small amount: A, E, PP, K, group B;
- wheat is a rich source of vitamin B substances, as well as E, PP, K and biotin;
- barley also contains a number of substances in quite high quantities: E, H, PP, K and B vitamins.
Food waste
Food waste consists of the remnants of the first and second courses, the cleaning of vegetables, pasta dishes, bread remains.
Important! Food waste must be fresh and cannot be stored for more than two days. If there are signs of souring or moldiness, they cannot be fed.
They contain those vitamins that were in the products of preparation, but in smaller quantities due to heat treatment.
Feed additives
Next, we consider the most popular and effective feed additives for rabbits, which can be used with food (water) or simply placed in a cage so that the animal has access to them at any time.
Learn how to feed rabbits feed.
Mineral stone "Kesha"
This remedy is another source of calcium. It consists of sulphate and calcium carbonate, ground oyster shells, limestone, vitamin C, and salt.
It should be borne in mind that the composition also has flavors and colors, but according to the manufacturer, they are of natural origin. Mineral stone, like the previous tool, you need to fix in an easily accessible place in the cell.
Especially effective this additive is in the grain diet. When using mineral stones, you should always monitor the presence of fresh water in the animal.
Mineral stone "Chika"
Mineral stones for rabbits from the company "Chika" are a source of calcium and phosphorus, thanks to which the skeleton and bones are strengthened. 
Also, the constant gnawing of the stone contributes to the grinding of the teeth, which in rabbits grow throughout life.
The mineral stone is simply attached to the cage with the help of convenient ropes, and the rabbit gnaws it gradually as needed.
Solution "Bio-iron"
This preparation is a complex feed additive that can be used in all farm and domestic animals, including rabbits. Its features are:
- used for the normalization of metabolic processes, prevention of anemia and iodine deficiency;
- prevents lag in growth and development;
- increases stress tolerance and adaptive qualities of animals.
Learn how to improve immunity in rabbits.
The drug is especially useful for young animals in the period of active weight gain and growth, as well as females during gestation and feeding. The preparation includes iron, iodine, copper, selenium and cobalt. This solution must be mixed in dry food or water for soldering in the amount of 0.1 ml per day per individual. The course of use is 2-3 months.
Vitamin preparations
For active growth, rabbits also need to be given special vitamin preparations, especially during the period of molting, pregnancy and feeding, active growth and weight gain. 
When using vitamin aids, you must strictly follow the instructions, observe the dosage, since an excess of vitamin substances may be even more destructive than their deficiency.
Did you know? The smallest breed of rabbits is the pygmy rabbit (Idaho rabbit), whose weight does not even reach 0.5 kg in adulthood.
"Chiktonik"
This vitamin preparation is also a feed additive, comes in the form of a solution for oral administration, which consists of various vitamins and amino acids. The main vitamin substances are retinol (A), biotin (H), tocopherol (E), vitamins D3 and K, as well as some of the B group (B1, B2, B5, B6, B8, B12). Of the amino acids include such interchangeable and essential: lysine, arginine, alanine, leucine, aspartic acid, tryptophan and others.
The drug has the following positive effects:
- normalizes metabolic processes;
- eliminates the deficiency of vitamin substances and amino acids;
- increases resistance to adverse factors;
- increases livestock safety under stressful conditions;
- increases productive characteristics;
- contributes to the speedy recovery of the body in case of poisoning;
- supports the body during long-term antibiotic therapy and during vaccination.
The course of application is 5 days, the drug should be added to water in the amount of 2 ml per individual. If necessary, vitamin therapy is carried out again after 1-2 months.
Find out how dangerous rabbit obesity is and how to fight it.
"Prodevit"
This is a vitamin complex, which consists of retinol, tocopherol and a form of vitamin D. The drug is used for:
- normalization of protein, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism,
- prevention and treatment of vitamin deficiency,
- increase the body's resistance
- stimulate reproduction and increase the survival of young,
- and also to enhance the protective function of the epithelium (to prevent ulcers, wounds, dermatitis and inflammations).
May be administered orally or by injection. When administered orally, the drug should be added daily to the feed for 2-3 months. The dosage for rabbits is 2 drops of the drug per day per individual. 
"E-Selen"
This vitamin preparation is issued in the form of solution for injections. The composition contains the trace element selenium and tocopherol (E). Restoring normal levels of selenium and tocopherol in the body, the drug helps:
- regulate redox and metabolic processes,
- boosts immunity and body resistance
- helps to better assimilate a number of other useful substances (for example, A and D3).
Important! Unlike other feed supplements, overdose with this drug can cause impaired coordination, abdominal pain, blue skin and mucous membranes, accelerated heartbeat and a decrease in temperature.
"E-Selen" has antioxidant properties, protects the body from the harmful effects of toxins. It is used for stunted growth and development, exposure to stress factors, after treatment with antibiotics, and for infectious and parasitic diseases.
The preparation is administered to rabbits subcutaneously once in 2-4 months in the amount of 0.04 ml per 1 kg of weight. To work with the drug in such small doses it was more convenient, it is recommended to dilute it with sterile saline.
You should also follow the measures of personal prevention when working with the tool. Pregnant, lactating and rabbit drug can be given only after consultation with the veterinarian!
Learn more about vitamins for rabbits.
Premixes
Unlike all of the above drugs, which are feed additives, premixes contain a much more extensive range of useful substances in the composition, not limited to a few elements and vitamins. Premixes need to be added to the combined feed to replenish the need for all major vitamin substances, micro and macro elements.
"P-90-1"
This premix is designed specifically for herbivorous animals, which are rabbits. In its composition there is a line of vitamins and minerals, ideally balanced in quantity, to cover the daily need of animals for these substances. Of the minerals are composed of iron, copper, manganese, cobalt, iodine, zinc. Among the vitamin substances are: retinol, a form of vitamin D, tocopherol, B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B12). 
As a result of the use of premix in rabbits:
- improves the quality of skins,
- increases the safety and weight gain of young,
- feed costs are reduced,
- immunity strengthens,
- increases the body's resistance,
- Prevention of many pathological conditions occurs.
The premix should be added to the feed according to the following scheme: the premix should be mixed with grain in the ratio of 1: 5 or 1:10. The resulting mixture should be added to the combined feed in the ratio: 1 kg of premix per 99 kg of food.
"Ushastik"
Premix "Ushastik" for rabbits (0.5%) is also a vitamin-mineral supplement with a similar composition: iron, zinc, cobalt, manganese, iodine, copper, retinol, tocopherol, vitamin D form and vitamins of group B.
Did you know? In Queensland (Australia), keeping a rabbit as a pet is punishable by a fine of 30 thousand dollars! And all because in Australia these animals are recognized as pests, the annual damage from which amounts to almost half a trillion dollars.
It is necessary to use premix with feed in different dosages depending on the age and condition of the animals. Pre-premix should be mixed in equal parts (!) With flour or bran. 
Then the mixture should be added to the feed in accordance with the recommendations below:
- for rabbits aged 45-90 days, the daily dose is 0.8-1.8 g;
- for rabbits from 90 days the daily dose is increased to 2.4 g;
- during pregnancy and in the first 10 days of lactation, the rabbit get 3 g;
- from the 11th to the 20th day of lactation, the norm is 4 g;
- at the final stage of lactation, the rate is increased to 5 g;
- in a non-random period, the norm for adult rabbits is 1.5-3 g.
Learn how to feed ornamental rabbits, meat rabbits for weight gain.
What will happen if you do not give the rabbits vitamins?
Lack of vitamins leads to negative consequences of varying severity, depending on the type of vitamin, the duration of its failure to enter the body and some other factors. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, E, K, D) can accumulate in the body, and water-soluble (PP, C and group B) should always be supplied with food, because their absence in the diet leads to a shortage and gives the appearance. 
The main signs of a lack of vitamin substances:
- deterioration of immunity, frequent diseases, pathologies of the gums and teeth indicate a shortage of ascorbic acid (C);
- loss and deterioration of the type of hair, deterioration of the epithelium and tearing eyes indicate a shortage of ascorbic acid (C), tocopherol (E) and retinol (A);
- impaired reproductive function is possible with a lack of vitamins A, B9 and E;
- improper functioning of the digestive system occurs when there is a lack of vitamins of groups B and A;
- brittle bones, impaired support apparatus - lack of vitamins D and A.
Find out if rabbits can be given beets, cabbage, grapes, pears, Jerusalem artichokes, tomatoes, sorrel, apples, rice, powdered milk, squash, pumpkin, peas, corn, dill, cherry twigs, fish oil, burdocks, tarragon, nettle, bran , cereals, bread.
Thus, the diet of domestic rabbits should be filled with all vitamin and mineral substances for normal growth, development and reproduction. Only if all the necessary substances are received will it be possible to get a return on the maintenance of animals in the form of high-quality skins and a large amount of dietary, healthy meat.
Video: vitamins to rabbits
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