Nutrients necessary for rabbits begins with 6 fundamentals: water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Often, energy is confused for a nutrient, but energy itself is not a nutrient. Energy (measured by calories) is provided in the diet by proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
A nutrient is a chemical or substance that an animal requires to live and grow. Nutrients can be found in food, synthesized in the body, or taken in from the environment. Nutrients that must be consumed in the diet because the animal cannot produce them or cannot produce them in sufficient quantities are considered essential nutrients. Those the animal can synthesize to meet its needs or does not need from the diet are considered nonessential nutrients.