NatureCrest is a brand of rabbit food produced by Kaytee, a company that has been making pet food since 1858. NatureCrest rabbit food aims to provide nutritional and healthy diets for domestic rabbits. There are a few key things to know about NatureCrest rabbit food.
Ingredients
NatureCrest rabbit foods contain quality natural ingredients that are beneficial for rabbits. Some of the main ingredients found in NatureCrest formulas include:
– Timothy Hay: This is the main component of rabbit diets and provides fiber to promote good digestion. NatureCrest contains high amounts of timothy hay.
– Vegetables: Carrots, peas, corn, and other vegetables provide important vitamins and minerals. NatureCrest contains dried vegetables.
– Grains: Oats, barley, and wheat provide carbohydrates for energy. NatureCrest contains whole grains.
– Dried Forage: Alfalfa, orchard grass, oat hay provide additional fiber. NatureCrest contains a blend of dried forages.
– Occasional Fruits: Small amounts of fruit like apples, cranberries, and papaya add palatability and nutrients. Some NatureCrest foods contain dried fruit.
– Vitamins & Minerals: Essential vitamins like vitamin A, D, E, and minerals like calcium and phosphorus are added to support health.
So in summary, NatureCrest contains natural plant-based ingredients that mimic components found in a rabbit’s wild diet and provide balanced nutrition.
Types of Food
NatureCrest offers different types of rabbit food to meet the needs of rabbits at different life stages. Here are the main types:
– Pellets: These are a mixture of ingredients compressed into nugget shapes. Pellets provide balanced nutrition in a compact form. There are adult rabbit, baby rabbit, and mature rabbit pellet formulas.
– Treats: These are nutritious snacks made with timothy hay, fruits, vegetables, and seeds. Treats add variety and are used for training rewards.
– Hay: Timothy hay is sold in compressed bales or cubes. Hay supports dental health and digestion. There are first cut, second cut, and third cut hay options.
– Forage Blends: These mixes contain dried grass, fruits, veggies, herbs, and flowers. They encourage natural foraging behaviors.
So NatureCrest has a range of foods from complete feeds like pellets to supplemental foods like hay and treats.
Key Benefits
There are several benefits that NatureCrest rabbit foods aim to provide:
– Complete and Balanced Nutrition: The foods are designed to give rabbits all the nutrients they need for good health when fed appropriate amounts.
– High Quality Ingredients: NatureCrest uses wholesome ingredients under strict quality control standards for safety and nutritional value.
– Supports Digestive Health: The high fiber content eases digestion and helps prevent issues like diarrhea.
– Promotes Dental Health: Crunchy textures and timothy hay help wear down teeth properly.
– Natural Foraging Behaviors: Ingredients like hay and forage mixes allow natural grazing behaviors.
– No Artificial Additives: No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives are used.
So in summary, NatureCrest aims to deliver optimal nutrition in a natural way rabbits are adapted to eat.
Feeding Guidelines
NatureCrest provides some general feeding guidelines for their foods:
– Provide unlimited grass hay. Timothy hay should make up majority of diet.
– Feed 1/4 to 1/2 cup pellets per 5 lbs body weight daily. Adjust amounts based on age and activity level.
– Introduce treats sparingly. Timothy or fruit-based treats are best. Limit to 1-2 treats per day.
– Offer a heaping pile of leafy greens daily. Introduce new veggies slowly.
– Provide a constant source of clean, fresh water.
– Transition diets slowly over 2-3 weeks when introducing new foods.
Following these tips will help provide a balanced diet and prevent digestive upsets. Owners should adjust amounts to maintain ideal body condition.
Where to Buy
NatureCrest rabbit foods can be purchased from the following places in the United States:
– Petco
– Petsmart
– Pet Supplies Plus
– PetFoodDirect.com
– Chewy.com
– Amazon.com
– Small pet and farm stores
– Directly from Kaytee.com
The foods come in various sized bags or cartons ranging from 2 lbs to 50 lbs. The most common sizes found in stores are 2 lbs and 10 lbs. Larger bags offer more value but must be stored properly to preserve freshness once opened.
Prices
NatureCrest rabbit food is considered a mid-priced brand and is very affordable compared to premium or organic brands. Here are some average prices:
| Product | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Rabbit Pellet | 2 lbs | $5 |
| Timothy Hay Cubes | 32 oz | $12 |
| Garden Select Blend | 5 lbs | $13 |
| Fruit & Veggie Snacks | 3 oz | $4 |
Of course, prices can vary by retailer. Buying in larger quantities generally provides the best value overall.
Quality Ratings
When evaluating the quality of NatureCrest rabbit foods, here are some things to look at:
– Ingredient Quality: The ingredients used are natural, minimally processed, and wholesome. There is a good balance of hay, grains, veggies, and supplemental nutrients.
– Testing Standards: Kaytee has strict standards and routine testing to ensure safety and consistency.
– Palatability: Rabbits seem to readily eat and enjoy the tastes and textures. Fussy eaters may be more attracted to NatureCrest foods.
– Nutrient Profile: The guaranteed analysis shows minimum percentages of key nutrients like crude protein, fiber, and fat. Values align with rabbit nutritional needs.
– Company Reputation: Kaytee has over 150 years of experience producing quality pet foods. They are a well-known and trusted brand.
– Customer Reviews: Reviews for NatureCrest foods are overwhelmingly positive. Many rabbit owners report excellent results.
Based on these criteria, NatureCrest scores very high in overall quality and benefits for rabbits. It offers great value for the price compared to other brands.
Comparison to Other Brands
NatureCrest is comparable to other popular mid-priced rabbit food brands like Oxbow and Small Pet Select. Here’s how it compares:
**Oxbow**
– Very similar in ingredients and nutrition
– Both use quality hay, grains, and produce
– Oxbow has organic formulas available
– Prices are similar between brands
**Small Pet Select**
– Both use premium natural ingredients
– Small Pet Select has wider treat variety
– Small Pet Select non-GMO verified
– NatureCrest more available in chain stores
**Purina**
– Both trusted major brands
– Purina has more filler grains
– NatureCrest higher quality ingredients
– Purina lower priced
So while every brand has its differences, NatureCrest stacks up well against the competition and is one of the better mid-priced options out there.
Pros and Cons
Some pros and cons to consider when choosing NatureCrest rabbit food:
**Pros:**
– Quality natural ingredients
– Good nutrient balance
– Timothy hay-based formulas
– No artificial additives
– Affordable prices
– Rabbits enjoy the taste
– Produced by reputable company
– Widely available in stores and online
**Cons:**
– Limited flavor options
– Some varieties hard to find in stores
– Not organic certified
– Lower protein than some premium brands
– Contains grains and legumes some don’t prefer
– Bag sizes could be bigger
Overall, the pros seem to outweigh the cons for most rabbit owners. NatureCrest offers time-tested nutritional science at an affordable price point.
Customer Reviews
NatureCrest rabbit foods generally receive excellent reviews and ratings. Here are some examples:
“My bunnies absolutely love this food. Their coats look so soft and healthy now.”
“I switched to NatureCrest pellets and noticed less waste in my rabbit’s litter box. The ingredients seem very high quality.”
“This hay helps wear down my rabbit’s teeth and it’s his favorite snack.”
“I love that there are no artificial colors or weird ingredients. Just simple, natural foods.”
“My picky eater finally eats her pellets now that I switched to this brand.”
The majority of reviews mention happy, healthy rabbits that eagerly eat NatureCrest foods. Many owners report improved digestion, dental health, energy levels, and coats after transitioning to this brand.
Recall History
Kaytee/NatureCrest rabbit foods have no recent history of any recalls or contamination issues. Kaytee takes extensive measures to test and verify the safety of their products.
Some measures they take include:
– Testing raw ingredients for contaminants prior to manufacturing
– Testing finished products for salmonella, listeria, E. coli, and other pathogens
– Rigorous equipment cleaning and safety protocols
– Lot coding to enable quick identification and recall of products
– Annual third party food safety audits at all manufacturing plants
Kaytee adheres to the strictest standards set by organizations like the FDA and Institute of America to ensure no unsafe products reach the market. Customers can feel confident feeding NatureCrest foods to their rabbits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, NatureCrest offers quality rabbit nutrition in an affordable package. The use of natural plant-based ingredients in optimal ratios provides complete balanced nutrition rabbits thrive on. There is a range of products to suit different rabbit needs and life stages. Strict safety standards ensure peace of mind when feeding. While no brand is perfect for every rabbit, NatureCrest is a great option to consider providing excellent value and results. It delivers premium ingredients without the premium price tag. Rabbit owners looking for a healthy and cost-effective diet for their rabbits would do well to give NatureCrest products a try.
