Analysis of the nutrient composition of selected commercial pet rabbit feeds with respect to nutritional guidelines

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition of pet rabbit feeds available on the market with respect to nutritional guidelines and to determine whether the manufacturer's guaranteed analysis differed from the measured analysis. Samples of 5 different rabbit feeds were collected from sealed bags, three per each type of feed. The samples were then ground into a powder using a laboratory mill. Guidelines from the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) were used to assess the basic chemical composition of the samples. Four out of 5 feeds did not meet the minimum recommended level for crude fiber and analysis results for this nutrient were up to 67% lower than what was declared on the label. One feed did not meet the established minimum recommended level for crude proteins. In any of the feeds tested the nutrient levels matched the manufacturers guaranteed analysis. In four feeds, the deviations were outside the range of tolerance permitted by law. Results indicate that in the analyzed feeds there is considerable non-compliance with current EU guidelines for pet rabbit food and divergence from the manufacturers’ guaranteed analyses.