Iknow it is tons better that my buns eat hay more then their pellets. but how unhealthy are pelltes really? I am at a constant battle with my buns to eat more hay. they do eat it but useally not as much as I think they should. I have tried taking away thier pellets and they have refused to eat at all untill I gave in afraid they would go into stasus. any sugestions on how to get them to eat more of it? I usually only give them about 1/4 cup for the little ones and 1/2 cup for the older ones( which is 1/2 cup for the pair of buns not each). they all get greans everyday also in the morning to start their day happy. Am I doing this all wrong?

My first bun would rather starve than eat hay. She held out and I caved first. I think Oxbow pellets are really healthy. I've read all the ingredients and love the percent of fiber/fat/protein, etc. I don't feel guilty feeding my rabbit those.

My rabbit now LOVES hay (only the freshest stuff and Oxbow brand will be eaten). However, when I cut back his pellets, he lost too much weight (and begged for food all the time). So, pellets are a staple in our house. Some people can go without, which is great, but if you can't, I don't think-- if you choose a healthy pellet --it is bad at all.

A good pellet is not unhealthy, it is just a small part of the rabbit diet. It does sound to me like you are right on with your diet.

You always want to consult with your vet about any diet changes you may want to make with your rabbits.

What type of hay do you feed them bullrider? There's lots to try. Another type might be more appealing to them.

I am using the first cut timothy I believe from the BB store. I am not sure exactly on what to mix it with maybe to entice them. They LOVE the little treat bags I get from BB as a gift, and I think it has orchard hay and some other herbs mixed in

I use locally grown timothy that I buy in 50lb bales and then every other day or so I add in a bit of a "treat" hay. Like Oxbows Botanical, Orchard Grass, Meadow Grass, or Oat, BB's mini bales, APD Timothy Gold, stuff like that. I find that just by adding a bit of variety my two double their hay intake. My one rabbit likes a variety, but to only be fed one kind at a time. Whereas my other rabbit likes them to be all mixed together. Just do some playing around with different types to see what works best for you. Also I buy the hay topper/herb mixes from BB that I mix in with the hay sometimes, to create interest.

Like others said, a good pellet is not unhealthy, but you don't want to rely on it, in the place of hay. When rabbits are chewing pellets, their jaws move in a different pattern than when chewing hay. This pattern doesn't provide them with even wear on their teeth.

If I fed my rabbits timothy, they would not eat hay either. For some reason, my buns dislike timothy. Orchard is their favorite, though $75 a box was getting expensive so I found some local brome hay and they enjoy that as well. I buy oat / orchard in smaller bags now to mix with it for variety. I also sometimes hide craisins in their hay, just to entice them to dig around in it.

I will have to try mixing them thank you

You could try alfalfa with a bunny potpurri on top to entice them, then gradually introduce healthy grass hays.

It's very important they eat hay-for their teeth to wear down and for their gut to function properly so it's important to try to get them eating it. i've found putting small amounts down frequently works, as well as sticking a handful in their bed. If they are like mine they will make an effort to get the hay out of their bed, and eat quite a bit in the process.

do they *have* to eat timothy hay? Tofu gets oxbow pellets which are timothy hay based but he won't touch timothy hay in its natural hay state. He loves oxbow orchard grass and eats a tissue box full a night. Am I doing it wrong? (he also gets a bowl of fresh greens a night)

the hay is essential to their diet for helping their teeth and maintaining digestive health. yes a rabbit can survive on pellets, but they run a lot of health risks not getting the raw hay that their body needs

Doesn't have to be Timothy zoologist, any grass hay is good. Many people find they're allergic to Timothy hay or their rabbits not interested in it . So orchard has been a great alternative.

If Tofu tires of it you can try oat, wheat, barley, brome, blue grass, Bermuda... Lots out there to chose from.

Thanks Jerseygirl I was getting worried because he wasn't eating hay until I switched to the orchard grass. now he eats a lot, so I'm very relieved.