A vitamin D deficiency causes bone and teeth softening, known as rickets in young bunnies and osteomalacia in adult bunnies. [2] X Research source If your bunny is deficient in vitamin E, he could develop muscular dystrophy. In female bunnies, vitamin E deficiency can lead to the death of unborn and newly born kits (baby bunnies). [3] X Research source Vitamin A deficiency primarily causes reproductive problems. [4] X Research source Illness and stress can take a toll on your bunny’s body and increase his vitamin requirements. [5] X Research source Your veterinarian can determine if your bunny is sick, or if he is experiencing stress.

For your appointment, bring in the bags of bunny food, or just the labels from the food bags. This will give your veterinarian a good idea of what you are feeding your bunny, and if the food is providing him with enough vitamins. Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination on your bunny and run some blood work to determine the specific vitamins in which your bunny is deficient.

To prevent vitamin D deficiency in rabbits, you should allow your rabbit to have 30 to 60 minutes of supervised outdoor time every day. If daily outdoor time is not possible, then you can also purchase an artificial UVB lighting system for your rabbit’s enclosure. [7] X Research source

Following your veterinarian’s recommendations will prevent you from giving your bunny too many vitamins, which could lead to serious disease. [8] X Research source Do not add vitamins to your bunny’s water. This is not an effective way of giving your bunny vitamins.

Vitamin A toxicity causes low conception rates and increased infant mortality. [10] X Research source The kits that survive might have slow growth rates and fluid on the brain (‘hydrocephaly’). [11] X Research source Take your bunny to your veterinarian if your bunny becomes sick after vitamin supplementation.

Vitamins can be inactivated when exposed to air, water and light, meaning that the supplements could lose their effectiveness quickly. [13] X Research source If you must give your bunny vitamin supplements, talk to your veterinarian about the best way to store and administer them so they don’t lose their effectiveness.

Limit your bunny’s intake of alfalfa hay. Alfalfa hay is very high in beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A. Too much vitamin A could lead to reproductive problems. [15] X Research source Alfalfa hay is also high in vitamin D. Vitamin D toxicity can make your bunny very sick. [16] X Research source

Vitamin A is an essential vitamin for bunnies. Feed your bunny at least one vitamin A-rich vegetable (e. g. , collard greens, kale, and spinach) per day. [18] X Research source Fresh leafy greens also provide your bunny with vitamin C. [19] X Research source To keep your bunny interested in his food, feed him vegetables that have different colors. [20] X Research source To ensure he gets all of the vitamins he needs, feed him three different types of vegetables per day. [21] X Research source Introduce new vegetables to his diet one at a time to lessen the likelihood of digestive upset. If a certain vegetable gives him diarrhea, remove it from his diet. [22] X Research source

Commercial pellets are formulated to contain enough vitamins and minerals to meet your bunny’s nutritional requirements. Vitamins can start breaking down in pelleted food. Store the pellets for only three to four weeks to prevent vitamin loss.

As soon as your bunny excretes cecotrophs, he will turn around and eat them directly from his anus. If your bunny is obese, he may not be able to reach back to his anus to eat the cecotrophs, resulting in a vitamin deficiency.

Leave the bag of hay open to allow for good air circulation, but make sure insects and rodents do not get in the bag. [26] X Research source If your rabbit’s hay becomes damp and/or moldy, then discard it right away. Do not feed this hay to your rabbit. [27] X Research source

Storing your rabbit’s food in this way will also help to keep out insects and rodents. Keep the sealed container in a cool and dry place as well, such as in a pantry.