Rabbit hay alternative?

[floppysquirrel04]

I’m not sure where you learned that they don’t need hay. Go to any reputable site or breeder, rabbits always need to have hay available. They need to be eating and digesting food constantly, and if they are pellets like that then they would become obese. Pellets are meant to be a treat or a small part of their diet, and hay and veggies/fruit should be their staple. I do agree tho about the part about their teeth and the over priced unhealthy pelleted food. Yes, if you can then go to the shelter for a rabbit.

 

[Aquatic_blue]

A lot of rabbits hay can be found in their pellets. I raise rabbits for 4h with my sisters and we rarely give them hay. They actually get almost everything from their pellets! Rabbits are amazing pets and aren’t really that hard to care for if you know what you are doing! Just make sure that the pellets you get are Timothy hay based. NEVER GET THE FIESTA CRAP!!! The feed with colorful bits in it is not good for them at all! It’s only meant to trick people into buying overly expensive crap food! If you are worried about their teeth, give them untreated pine wood or toilet paper rolls! If you do decide to get rabbit for a pet, PLEASE go to a shelter! Especially after Easter!! So many people get them as presents and then take them to the shelter after two weeks. I hope you have fun!

If I may ask, what brand of food do you buy?

My husband has issues with mostly the dust and mites that can be in hay. Not all hay bothers him all the time so pellets may work.

That food dyed food looks yuck! I have seen it for hamsters and birds. I don't give animals or other people for that matter stuff with artificial food dyes if I can absolutely help it.

I could definitely try to contact our local animal shelter within the next few weeks to see if they have rabbits =)

Thanks!

 

[Aquatic_blue]

I’m not sure where you learned that they don’t need hay. Go to any reputable site or breeder, rabbits always need to have hay available. They need to be eating and digesting food constantly, and if they are pellets like that then they would become obese. Pellets are meant to be a treat or a small part of their diet, and hay and veggies/fruit should be their staple. I do agree tho about the part about their teeth and the over priced unhealthy pelleted food. Yes, if you can then go to the shelter for a rabbit.

Now I'm so confused....

 

[NatJ]

I've raised plenty of rabbits on just pellets, no hay. The pellets were alfalfa based.

But--they were mostly breeding does, and growing bunnies, so the same pellets that might make another rabbit fat were just right for them.

I don't know much about non-breeding adult rabbits kept as pets.

Most rabbit pellets are made primarily of hay (read the label, because that may not be true of all pellets.)

For wearing down the teeth, pieces of wood work just fine. (Rabbits will also chew on parts of their cage, but that's not good for the cage or the rabbit.)

 

[floppysquirrel04]

You may be able to find hay based pellets, but it will never be as good for their gut as really Timothy hay. Yeah, be confused . That’s how it will always be for any type of animal care.

 

[Skye'sDucks]

I think the debate of whether or not rabbits need hay largely depend on what you actually do with the rabbit/s.

For pets? I think that if you don't intend to butcher it for meat or breed it, you want to make sure they have access to hay 24/7 to ensure they have the healthiest and most normal diet and life. Rabbits are foragers and eat grass and other leafy greens in the wild. If you want a healthy, happy rabbit that lives long (they can live over 10 and into their teens. I have a 10/11 yo pet rabbit) it should have hay. That's just my opinion though.

 

[Little Red Birds]

If I may ask, what brand of food do you buy?

My husband has issues with mostly the dust and mites that can be in hay. Not all hay bothers him all the time so pellets may work.

That food dyed food looks yuck! I have seen it for hamsters and birds. I don't give animals or other people for that matter stuff with artificial food dyes if I can absolutely help it.

I could definitely try to contact our local animal shelter within the next few weeks to see if they have rabbits =)

Thanks!

I get pen pals rabbit feed from ADM feeds. And you can get hay blocks for them and see if your husband can deal with those (since they come in a feed bag and have been processed). I give mine wood blocks as well. I think I forgot to put in my miniature paragraph about letting them graze outside for an hour or so to allow them more fiber in my last post . During spring and summer I let them go outside for an hour or two and graze, but during the winter they get their feed and wooden toys. I totally get having someone in the house with a hay allergy (my 5 year old sister and mother do), and if you get the right food, they will be fine. I only give hay when I have to, with weaning litters and mother only. But it’s really hard because I have to put them in an entire different building so my mom and sister can be in the barn. If you do have a place for them to graze then that would be great!

 

[Little Red Birds]

I've raised plenty of rabbits on just pellets, no hay. The pellets were alfalfa based.

But--they were mostly breeding does, and growing bunnies, so the same pellets that might make another rabbit fat were just right for them.

I don't know much about non-breeding adult rabbits kept as pets.

Most rabbit pellets are made primarily of hay (read the label, because that may not be true of all pellets.)

For wearing down the teeth, pieces of wood work just fine. (Rabbits will also chew on parts of their cage, but that's not good for the cage or the rabbit.)

I just change proteins on mine! Jr.s, moms, and kits get 18% protein, while shower and breeder bucks get 16%

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

Is your husband allergic to ALL hay? I have heard that orchard grass is a lot more allergy-friendly...and it is great for rabbits!

 

[enrgizerbunny]

Koi have personality, live outside, don't require water changes like indoor fish. Also pretty.