Bunny Basics

[BabyGotQuack]

Yes, take the pellets away. How many pellets did you give them? And how much fresh veggies?

We’ve only given them each a leaf of lettuce yesterday and they had access to unlimited pellets. I was told that they can have as many pellets as they want until 1 year old and then they get very little.

 

[BabyGotQuack]

Yes - they need to be trained to eat hay. Hay is not as tasty as pellets and, coming from a pet store, they likely never had hay (it’s messy). Assuming they’re 4-6 months old you can give them alfalfa for a few weeks before transitioning to Timothy. You can also mix it for a month or so. After that move to all Timothy. Alfalfa is like cupcakes for an adult rabbit.

Their pellets depends on their weight. My 4lb adults get 1/4 cup of pellets per day. Many feed 1/8 cup pellets per 5lbs of rabbit. Check their weight and bone feel to be sure it’s the right amount for them.

Only do fresh greens a few bites a day and check for soft poops.

Be sure they’re eating their “blackberry poops” (cecotropes) at night. If you see them piling up, then their diet is too rich or too much.

K I’ve taken the pellets out and I’m gonna so see if I can find some alfalfa.

So for the pellets I was told they could have as many as they wanted until 1 year old and then limit to 1/4c. I should be giving them only 1/4c now at 4-6 months old?

 

[Cecisflock]

You're going to need a litter box, timothy hay, good quality pellets (I recommend Oxbow)

Do not use oxbow for rabbits. It was not formulated by veterinary nutritionists and do not use timothy hay. It interferes with a balanced diet, don't listen to House Rabbit Society.

 

[Cecisflock]

Also rabbits can't get sore hocks from wire floors as they don't have paw pads.

 

[BabyGotQuack]

Also rabbits can't get sore hocks from wire floors as they don't have paw pads.

We are not doing any wire floors

 

[HappyClucker7]

We’ve only given them each a leaf of lettuce yesterday and they had access to unlimited pellets. I was told that they can have as many pellets as they want until 1 year old and then they get very little.

You need to limit the pellets now. If they have unlimited pellets then they won't eat hay. I only give my rabbits a little handful (equal to about 1/8 cup) in the evenings.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Do not use oxbow for rabbits. It was not formulated by veterinary nutritionists and do not use timothy hay. It interferes with a balanced diet, don't listen to House Rabbit Society.

That's not true at all. It was formulated by vets, and it doesn't interfere with their diet. I have fed my rabbits oxbow pellets for years, and they have always been healthy.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Also rabbits can't get sore hocks from wire floors as they don't have paw pads.

This is also not true.

 

[Cecisflock]

That's not true at all. It was formulated by vets, and it doesn't interfere with their diet. I have fed my rabbits oxbow pellets for years, and they have always been healthy.

It was formulated by doctors, not vets.

 

[LizzzyJo]

Do not use oxbow for rabbits. It was not formulated by veterinary nutritionists and do not use timothy hay. It interferes with a balanced diet, don't listen to House Rabbit Society.

Hmmm. If you could add a solid online source here, that would be helpful on both statements.