Hey there,
I thought I would comment as I’ve done extensive research into this food – as well as have contacted the two men who have made this product – Bob and Eric – as well as have brought this food to my vet for her to research into as well (she also has contacted the makers). I was on the verge of switching my own from Oxbow to the Sherwood before ultimately deciding against it.
I will tell you exactly what my vet said after researching this product: “To be honest, I would not recommend switching them. This pellet seems like it is fine, but I feel that the Oxbow is better. Oxbow has veterinarians on their staff and since they are already eating those pellets well, I wouldn’t rock the boat. Now, if someone came in and said that they were feeding the Sherwood pellets and their bunny was doing well, I would not tell them to switch, but I still do not like the Alfalfa. I was looking some stuff up on the Vitamin D thing and Oxbow is below the recommended IUs (900), so their theory does not stand up against that particular food.” She provided additional links but I figured this would help you get the gist of what my vets opinion was on Sherwood.
First things first, the alfalfa. This was my vets first concern. After discussing it with the makers, she does not see the *point* of putting alfalfa in the food BUT is willing to accept that the logic behind it is *acceptable* but definitely not necessary. Second thing my vet was concerned about was how the ingredients on the back of the bag list “alfalfa pellets” rather than “alfalfa hay”. She was concerned about what exactly “pellet” means as that leads a lot of open room for additional things to be added without being exacted listed. They assured us both this was strictly just hay in an already pelleted form, no additional things added.
I hope this at least helps you a little in making a decision. Ultimately, the thing that swung my decision the most was the fact that Oxbow DOES have a great panel of vets on their staff dedicated to making a products meant for animals and the diets they should be consuming. My main reason for possibly switching was that I had heard a lot of people are having “success” with this food treating buns prone to GI stasis… BUT the problem with this is that there is nothing in the Sherwood that has been tested in a way that could ever actually make this conclusion a reputable one. None of the products in Sherwood have ever been used or useful in helping to treat stasis, much like the myth that the enzymes in pineapple also help treat GI stasis. It’s just that… a myth. As it has been proven that the enzymes are destroyed by the high acidity of the rabbits stomach before ever having a chance to be useful…which is how “old wives tales” get started and COULD be what is happening with Sherwood and it’s great reputation…the “free-fed” reasoning behind it was concerning to me as well and I had decided I definitely would not be free-feeding pellets even if I did decide to switch over.
My vet is very rabbit-savvy and provides me with a lot of research to support her opinions and ideas behind treating rabbits which is why I love and respect her opinion so much. Having a vet focused on the most up to date research has been extremely important to me. Along with her, I know many vets who are also questioning this food as well – to be what it’s being labeled as in the rabbit community. Just some things to think about I don’t think you will be making a bad decision either way, as my vet would not tell me she would be okay with someone feeding Sherwood if she didn’t think it was adequate. Hope this helps you a little bit in your decision making