New Bunny Mum needs help please!

[New Bunny Mum]

Hi All,

This is my first post here, it’s nice to meet you all.

I am a relatively new bunny mum to a female dwarf lop. She is about 5 months old, and an absolute sweetheart. She seems perfectly happy and healthy but I want to make sure I am the best possible mum in the world so I have some questions to make sure I am doing everything right!

So, some info about Pancakes. I have had her for just over a month, and she is an indoor bunny who lives in my bunny proofed kitchen/living room. She has taken to being litter trained really well, and seems very settled in her new home.

She is currently not spayed – I’m planning on getting this done in january/february (I wanted to have her at home for a month or so first before I carted off to the vets and inevitably make her hate me for a few days.) I was planning to get her vaccinated before spaying her – I don’t want her to pick up anything at the vets. Is this a wise decision?

My main concerns are regarding feeding. I give her Excel Herbage timothy hay http://www.petsathome.com/shop/excel-herbage-timothy-hay-1kg-15678

Wilko Special Feast for rabbits pellets http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/rabbit-food+hutches/wilko-special-feast-for-rabbits-2kg/invt/0182647/?htxt=PsAGyAqy%2FDSGVBgOHPBfATKVETOKIWHcwqoICuDrG%2FxTcDPfxIrYzUvEu76RzzM6wutKTeo9AOCBtDs76aYYKg%3D%3D

(it was actually this brand I’m unsure of – advice on the quality of this would be appreciated)

 and a bowl of fresh greens each day. I try and give her a mix, for example today she is having spring greens, some sprouts (although she doesnt seem that keen) some broccoli and some parsley. She also loves carrot tops bit isnt that fussed on carrots. She loves lettuce, but I know this isnt great so I limit it.

I’m a bit concerned she doesnt eat enough hay, she seems to chew it in quite a half hearted way. Can anyone suggest a way to get her eating more?

I also wanted to check I’m using litter thats suitable for rabbits – here is another link to the type I’m using. http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/cat-litter+trays/wilko-wood-based-cat-litter-15ltr/invt/0070462/?htxt=PsAGyAqy%2FDSGVBgOHPBfATKVETOKIWHcwqoICuDrG%2FxTcDPfxIrYzUvEu76RzzM6wutKTeo9AOCBtDs76aYYKg%3D%3D It is wood based pelets,  doesnt clump and is highly absorbent, and she seems to use it without any problems. 

Please feel free to ask me any questions and offer as much advice as possible!

 

Thanks so much

 

 

[Monkeybun]

Hmm I would buy a plain pellet for her instead of that special feast food. It looks like it has carrot and oat and wheat in it? A plain one would be best.

If she doesn’t eat much hay, you may want to try different varieties and types of hay, some buns can be very picky about it. A different hay may get her to eat more.

[New Bunny Mum]

Thanks monkey bun.

I think you are right about the pellets. I’m going to go and get her a different sort tomorrow. Can you recommend a particular brand that is available in the UK?

[Monkeybun]

I’ll check around and see what I can find that is available there

[Monkeybun]

I sent a message to someone I know over there that is involved in bunny stuff. I’ll let you know when she gets back to me

[New Bunny Mum]

Wow! Thanks for going to so much trouble! It’s amazing of you.

[Bumblebunny]

The RWAF (Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund) is UK based. Their website might have have suggestions on what is available and best for rabbits. They often post messages on the BB website and I think there are a number of UK based members also.

[New Bunny Mum]

I now have her on excel bunny pellets http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk/products/rabbit/burgess-excel—adult-rabbit.html

I think these seem much better. Can anyone confirm?

[Juli]

these look okay but i would have suggested manapro or OxBow. but these look okay. but SLOWLY transferr them to her by giving a little bit at a timee mixed into her regular food. or else she could get a very bad tummy ache.

[RabbitPam]

You can also send a message via the Message Center to BB (BinkyBunny). She mentioned recently that she knew someone in the UK that supplied similar items to her store here, so she could give you that name and link.

Don’t forget to check out the green banner above and read through the menus in the Bunny Info section. It’s loaded with info. for all your start-up needs regarding habitat, food, care etc. It may answer questions before you ask them.

And btw, WELCOME!

[Sam and Lady's Human]

Posted By Juli on 12/24/2011 06:16 AM
these look okay but i would have suggested manapro or OxBow. but these look okay. but SLOWLY transferr them to her by giving a little bit at a timee mixed into her regular food. or else she could get a very bad tummy ache.

 

Shes in the UK, which is why oxbow wasn’t suggested.

[Monkeybun]

Ok, my friend got back to me, she says the Burgess Excel are the best she has found, and wouldn’t go with anything else. You picked the right one

[New Bunny Mum]

I’ve never seen Oxbow over here at all.

I have her on excel which seems to be a better option.

Here is the nutritional values: Can anyone confirm this is suitable for her?
Nutritional Values

Beneficial Fibre
39%
Crude Fibre
19%
Protein
13%
Vitamin C
50mg/kg
Vitamin D3 *
1,500 iu/kg
Vitamin E *
120mg/kg
Copper **
12mg/kg
Vitamin A *
15,00 iu/kg
Oils
3%
Ash
5.5%
Calcium
0.90%
Phosphorous
0.51%

Ingredients

Grass, Oat Bran, Wheat, Soya Bean Hulls, Lucerne, Peas, Yeast, Molasses, Mint, Soya Oil, Calcium Carbonate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Ligno-Cellulose, Fructo-oligosaccharides 0.25%, Salt, Vitamins and Minerals, Contains Natural Antioxidants. No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Vitamins are guaranteed until Best Before date.

here is a link to the site for the brand http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk/products/rabbit/burgess-excel—adult-rabbit.html

obviously as well as pellets I am feeding a timothy hay with dandelion and marigold mixed in. She seems to like that more than regular timothy which I tried her on before. And lots of fresh greens of course.

[Monkeybun]

looks like you posted the same time I did

[jerseygirl]

Sam and Lady’s Human, Oxbow is available in the UK but not as common as Burgess. I have seen it on some UK sites.

One site that carries Oxbow and Binky Bunny items is thehayexperts.co.uk

Most common I’ve seen is Burgess excell and Supreme Science Selective rabbit food.

[RabbitPam]

I’d suggest checking out the Oxbow site for their ingredient content if you want to do a comparison. Even if you can’t buy the Oxbow (conveniently) you can see it online. It’s what is usually recommended, so if the Excel is considered very good, you can just go with that. I’m guessing it’s probably quite comparable.

[Monkeybun]

Yeah, the person I know there says its easily found, and the best quality she has found, and wouldn’t trade it for anything else

[Author]

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