Table salt, it is sodium chloride - not just seasoning; in many animals it plays an important role. Chlorine ions are involved in the development of hydrochloric acid, which is part of the gastric juice. Sodium ions are responsible for the transmission of nerve impulses. The rabbit also receives these elements from other foods, but not in sufficient quantities. Therefore, if your pet began to lick the bars of the cage, consider adding salt to its diet. From the article you will learn how to do it better.
Is it possible to give the rabbits salt
Of course, salt can be given - and even necessary, if the rabbit receives insufficient amounts of mineral substances from food.
Product benefits:
- retains moisture in the muscles, which contributes to the rapid weight gain of the animal;
- improves appetite;
- part of the blood, cells, tissues of the body, supporting their normal functioning.
We advise you to read about what can and should not be given to rabbits.
A lack of minerals can lead to:
- problems with blood formation;
- performance decline;
- disruption of metabolic processes;
- frequent miscarriages;
- slow growth in baby rabbits;
- increase acidity;
- disturbed digestive processes.
Did you know? In one jump, a rabbit can easily overcome a distance of about three meters.
Feeding rules
Salt can be both good and bad - so you need to know the rules for its introduction into the diet.
From what age can
Since salt is necessary for blood formation and normal functioning of the stomach, it must be present in the diet of the animal from birth. Of course, as long as the rabbit eats only mother's milk, he does not need additional additives. When other foods besides milk begin to appear on the baby’s menu, then you can gradually add to its diet and salt.
How to give
The daily dose of a food product depends on the age of the animal and its physiological needs:
- 0.5 g will be sufficient for young (up to 4 months);
- adult - 1.5 g;
- pregnant or lactating female - 1.5-2 g.
Giving the rabbit salt, it is better to add it to food, rather than diluted in water.
Important! If you feed a pet with feed, it receives the necessary amount of minerals with food and does not need salt in the diet.
Harm
Salt can be harmful to health if it is abused.
The consequences may be as follows:
- kidney problems, their failure;
- fluid retention in the body in large quantities;
- problems with the work of the heart;
- diarrhea.
How do lizunets
In order not only to feed, but also to entertain the pet, you can prepare a mineral delicacy called lizunets. Do not confuse it with lizuntsami for cattle. In them, salt is 50%, and the rest is soda and sodium sulfate, which are not very well perceived by a tender eared stomach.
Lizun recipe:
- 5 tbsp. l food salt;
- 3 tbsp. l food sulfur;
- 500 g of food chalk;
- 300 grams of charcoal;
- 500 g dry red clay powder.
Important! Hang lizunets so that eared could easily reach him, but not near the ground, so that it does not dampen. Store the product in a dry place.Cooking:
- First mix all the ingredients dry.
- Then, stirring the mixture, gradually pour water into it. It should make the consistency of thick dough.
- From the resulting mass dazzle small balls.
- Make a hole in them under the wire.
- Put the balls in the sun until dry.
- String the finished product on a wire and hang it in a cage.
What else can be given as food
You can do it yourself and other useful treats for eared.
You probably will be interested to read about whether you can feed rabbits with quinoa, silage, alfalfa, parsley, euphorbia, sorrel, dandelions, dill, Jerusalem artichoke, radish, pumpkin, potatoes, cabbage and tomatoes.
Banana delicacy Ingredients:
- an Apple;
- banana;
- 2 tbsp. l water;
- fruit / vegetable (not watery) that your rabbit loves;
- 1/3 granulated feed.
Cooking:
- Banana puree and mix with water. Smooth mashed potatoes on a plate.
- Put the fruit / vegetable over the puree.
- Finely chop the apple and mix with the food. Sprinkle with this mixture.
- Place a plate of delicacy in the freezer to harden.
- Cut into small pieces and give to the pet.
Treats from carrots and oats Ingredients:
- 1 small carrot;
- 1/2 banana;
- 1 tbsp. l honey
- 1/4 cup granulated feed;
- 1/4 cup oats.
Cooking:
- Make a mashed carrot or rub it on a fine grater. We do the same with a banana.
- Grind food and oats in a coffee grinder.
- Put the carrot, banana and honey in a bowl and mix.
- Add feed and oats to the mixture. Stir, knead for 1-2 minutes.
- Cover the cutting board with a sheet of baking paper. Put the resulting dough on it and cover with cling film. Roll and remove the film.
- Cut the dough into small squares or triangles with a knife (do not cut).
- Preheat oven to 180 ° C.
- Place the delicacy sheet on a baking sheet and place it in the oven for 30-40 minutes (until it is slightly brown).
- Turn off the oven, but leave the delicacy in it for another 1 hour.
- Take it out and let it cool completely.
- You can feed your pet.
Banana and carrot treat
Ingredients:
- 2 bananas;
- 1 carrot;
- 5 tbsp. l oats.
We recommend reading about what additives should be given to rabbits.Cooking:
- Grate the carrot on a grater. Add oats to it.
- Make mashed bananas and mix with other ingredients.
- Heat the oven to 190 ° C.
- Spread small cakes from the mixture onto a baking sheet with a fork.
- Place the treat in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Cool it down.
These delicacies will be liked eared, but do not make them the main course in the diet. Thus, the rabbit does not need salt only if they eat special feed.
Did you know? Rabbits have five toes on their front paws and four toes on their hind ones.
If their menu is built on natural food, sodium chloride in the diet should be present necessarily. It is enough to cook a licker - and your pet will be provided with all the necessary minerals.