What type of rabbit did I have?

Question
Dear Dr. Roush,

We had a baby bunny that was about the cutest thing I had ever seen in my life. He died suddenly a week ago and we were all devastated. He was so beautiful and so much fun.

Unfortunately as I look into the unexpected death, it seems that it could have been because we were feeding him lettuce, strawberries, and celery. He was most likely no more than 6 weeks old.

Anyway, I would like to know what kind of rabbit he was. Can you give me your email address so that I can send you pictures? I would like to try to find another just like him.

Answer
Katie,
My email address is below.
As for your diagnosis as to the death, it is accurate. Lettuce, strawberries, and celery are fine for wild rabbits who have never had anything else... but they are absolute NO NO's for doemstic rabbits. (Additonally, they have virtually no food value.. (Which is why dieters often will eat lots of them to lose weight.) The strawberries have calories but no protein. The best bet is to feed a balanced rabbit food (Costs about $6 for 25 pounds at a feed store and that would last about 3 months. A 50# bag is about $9 and will last about 7 months- feeding about 4 ounces a day depending on the size of the rabbit.) I never wean bunnies until they are 6 weeks old, and by then they have been eating rabbit pellets for about 2 weeks as a full diet. Send me a photo and I'll identify him/her for you..and I may know of some breeders who have them, also. Where are you located (what city,State?)  regards, Steve
steve.roush@ge.com