Rabbits are a very popular pet in Great Britain and can be a good companion for both adults and children.

They require a specific diet to make sure they are a picture of health so here are some things you should consider.

Most owners' first offering of food is a dry rabbit mix which is bought from the pet shop. This is a perfectly good way to feed your bunny but many of them selective feed. This means that they only eat the bits that they like, which is usually the least nutritious part. It is a bit like when we don't want to eat our greens! If the rabbit is selective feeding he will not be getting a balanced diet and this will have detrimental effects on his health. An example of this is vitamin D and calcium, which can cause irreversible effects on your pet's teeth.

The solution to selective feeding is to offer a single component feed. This comes in the form of pellets, which are each nutritionally balanced, making sure bunny will receive everything he needs. The food may look boring but it is very palatable and rabbits seem to like it.

Be sure to introduce it slowly into the diet if you are changing from a mixed food so as not to upset his tummy. You can buy this food from pet shops and veterinary surgeries.

Fibre is the key to a high-quality rabbit diet. They need a lot of fibre in order to maintain good gut movement and prevent blockages. The fibre should be provided in the form of hay (dried grass), which should be available at all times. Hay is also important as they use their back teeth (molars) to chew it, helping to prevent them from becoming overgrown.

Fruit and vegetables should also be offered in addition to dry food and hay. Carrots, parsnips and swedes are good at wearing down teeth. Green cabbage, peas, spinach, broccoli and other green vegetables can be given. Try not to give your rabbit too many green vegetables as they can cause diarrhoea. Apples, pears and tomatoes are good too and some fruit, such as melon and strawberries, can be given as a treat.

Treats can be given but only as in limited amounts. Yoghurt drops, seed cakes, popcorn stick or mineral wheel will be appreciated by your bunny and are all useful for wearing down those teeth that grow so quickly.

If your rabbit is allowed to run around the garden you should be aware that there are some plants that are poisonous and can have serious effects if eaten. Some examples of these are anemone, azalea, bluebells and daffodils. Harmful plants, which can cause stomach upsets, heart problems and respiratory distress are plants such as tulips, wisteria and holly. There are many safe plants however, like acorn, beech and rose. Get a list of plants that your bunny can and cannot eat from you local vet.

Don't worry if you see your rabbit eating its own poo as this is a perfectly normal habit. Food that passes through the rabbit's system is digested and passed as soft faeces. They then eat this so that it passes through again and the maximum amount of nutrients can be taken into the body. It is then passed out as hard balls, which they don't eat.

Lastly, always remember to provide your rabbit with clean, fresh water and make sure it doesn't freeze in the winter. Also, a ceramic bowl is recommended as your rabbit will not be able to chew through it or tip it over.