Switching from feeding twice a day to unlimited

[ImaBunnylover]

Hey guys!  So, my “at home” bunny is free fed and has an unlimited supply of hay and pellets all of the time.  He receives his veggies daily (in the AM) and munches on them throughout the day.  He is optimal weight according to his vet, so that’s all great!

However, I have two bunnies that I’m going to be taking care of from now until….. well, probably forever.  Their past owner claims they have always been fed twice a day BUT I don’t believe it. I’ve had these guys for about a week now and I’m trying to get them to transition over to being free fed BUT every time they see food, they act like they don’t know when they will get it again.  Honestly, I’m sure they’ve never been real sure.  

So, does anyone have any good ideas on how to get them to not binge eat?  While I was transitioning my house bunny, it was easy; these guys are a different story!

So that y’all know and I can answer this questions: They are on Oxbow adult pellets and Oxbow Timothy hay.  Veggies include Cilantro, Watercress, Dill, Romaine hearts, Dandelion Greens, and living Butter Leaf Lettuce! 

Please help!  All of your input is appreciated in advance! 

[Azerane]

It is generally recommended not to free-feed rabbits. I’m great that it’s working for your rabbit however it’s really not for every bunny. Some rabbits just don’t know when to stop and will simply just eat as many pellets as they can throughout the day, ignoring hay and veggies. In which case, if a rabbit can’t control what it eats, you will need to ration out food. I’m yet to meet a bunny that could ration it’s own food to a healthy degree, they just don’t have the mindset for it. In which case I really don’t know what to suggest in terms of helping you meet your goal of free feeding.

[ImaBunnylover]

That’s what I keep seeing online but I’m hopeful for these two.  I had read a million times that bunnies can’t filter/control their eating habits but about a year and a half ago, I found that Kisses, my house bunny, always picks hay and veggies over his pellets.  Thank you for your input, thought, and time! I really appreciate it!!  

[Bam]

Rabbits should always have unlimited hay. Unlimited pellets will probably make most adult buns over weight, so I wouldn’t recommend that. But you can very well experiment, just start slow. Bunnies’ tummies need time to adjust to all dietary changes.
You can weigh your buns weekly and make a weight-diary. I weigh mine in a bowl on my kitchen scales. I find it useful because a bunny’s weight loss or -gain is difficult to see. It’s like they’re always wearing loose fitting pajamas.

[ImaBunnylover]

Good thinking, Bam!  I didn’t think to weigh them weekly; that’s smart!  Thank you! 

My bunny must be part of the minority who likes veggies and hay more than pellets…. 

[Jillian191j]

Now, I had my Jessie for 8 almost 9 years, and she was always free fed. She would also pick veggies and hay over pellets. I can’t free feed my current bunny, Monte, pellets. She’ll just keep eating them. I can free feed her veggies though. She’ll only eat what she wants. I think It might really depend on the rabbit.

[flemishwhite]

I recommend reading the nutritional information that comes along with a bag of pellets. Some pellets contain molasses/corn syrup. This makes them high calorie.  I think these pellets are intended for buns that a caged and fed only pellets.  If your bun is eating hay, green veggies, and fruit treats, you bun doesn’t need high calorie pellets.  Actually, they don’t have an absolute need for pellets…IMO.  I buy pellets that are essentially ground and compressed hay/vitamins/minerals. They have bowls of these pellets just in case they get the munchies during the night. My buns are very adequately fed!  If we try to sleep in on the weekend, they are scratching and banging on the bedroom door for us to come out and give them their expected morning treats. 

[ImaBunnylover]

Great input and advice, thank you, Jillian191j!  I’m glad to know I’m not the only one with a bun who doesn’t prefer pellets!

[ImaBunnylover]

I will take a look, flemmishwhite!  Thank you for your input and great advice!  LOL- I hope you get to sleep in some weekend! 

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