Alfalfa, or Lucerne, many of you think it is hay (gramineos), but in fact alfalfa is a legume, although there are still those who insist on selling it as hay, do not be fooled, this is not hay.

It is very rich in protein and calcium so its original name in Arabic means "The best food" because it is so rich in these two points and exactly why it should not be eaten by healthy adult bunnies because it will cause them to have too much calcium and thus form sand or even stones in the kidneys.

Alfalfa is very good for baby rabbits, it helps to strengthen their bones and helps them to grow strong, so they can eat it until they are about 6 months old (dwarf rabbits, big rabbits until 8 months and giant rabbits until 12 months), but even here it must be given with care, because if it is too much it will also harm them, and at most they should be given 3 times a week a handful of Alfalfa.

You can also give Alfalfa to the bunnies which are going to become mothers to help them with the development of their babies and while they are breast feeding and also to rabbits which need to fatten up or those which are sick,but always with moderation so as not to give too much and end up creating mud,sand or stones in the kidneys.

One way of knowing if we are ingesting too much alfalfa is through the peeing. If this starts to turn very yellow and with white deposits, (see here about the colours of the peeing), then we are really full of calcium and we have to completely redo our diet starting with the alfalfa suspension.

It is usually sold as hay, in bales or bags, so there is often confusion.

Don't forget, Hay is hay, they are gramineos, Alfalfa is alfalfa, a legume, they are not the same thing, they do not serve the same purpose.