Bun hates his diet–and me :(

[Aniqa]

I’ve only had my bun for about 3 months (he’s about 9 months old), so I’m very much still learning. I realized recently that I was overfeeding him on pellets so I’ve started measuring 1/4 cup out every day, plus of course lettuce and hay. Now he sticks his face in the bowl before I even finish pouring them in and leaves it completely empty by the time I go to bed. I’m worried that (1) I’m underfeeding him and (2) he resents me. We were finally making some progress in that he was hopping up on my bed most nights but he hasn’t done so since I started the diet.

Is there a better way? Should I keep at the 1/4 a day until h gets used to it or should I give him more?

[jerseygirl]

Welcome : )

Im sure he doesn’t hate you!! I know it can feel like a bunny is holding a grudge sometimes though.

How big is he? Do you know his current weight?

I realized recently that I was overfeeding him on pellets so I’ve started measuring 1/4 cup out every day, plus of course lettuce and hay.

Im not sure if Im understanding correctly. Are you serving a portion of hay in the bowl also?
You can give loads of hay. This should be about 80-90% of their diet.

[VivaLaBunz]

Hi Aniqa,

How much does your bunny weigh? Pellet feeding measurements should be done according to their weight. Hay should be always available and they can eat however much they want. Veggies should also be fed according to the rabbit’s weight.

[tobyluv]

There are a lot more veggies that he can have besides lettuce. Those will help to fill him up, as well as give him extra nutrients. If he’s not used to a lot of different greens/veggies, go slow, and only try one new one each week. Maybe if you give him a nice mixed salad at bedtime, along with his pellets, he will be more content. You could also try different kinds of hay, which might make him eat more of it, then feel fuller.

Here is a good list of greens/veggies to try:

http://rabbit.org/suggested-vegetables-and-fruits-for-a-rabbit-diet/

[Azerane]

Rabbits always act starved when you feed them pellets. I risk losing a finger ever time I feed Luna, even though she gets pellets at the same time, every day without fail. She feels the need to suck them up like a vacuum. My pair weigh 2.5 and 3kg, each get 2 tablespoons daily.

If your bunn is small, I’d suggest splitting the pellets between two meals (and even reducing them further). Pellets have a tendency to swell in the gut which can cause discomfort if many are eaten at once, so splitting the meal into two 1/8 cup meals morning and evening could help, since he may not be coming up on the bed because his tummy feels sore after gorging himself all at once.

[Aniqa]

Thanks for the advice, y’all! He’s around 5 pounds, which is why I give him 1/4 cup. I also make sure he has a constant supply of hay in a separate bowl and give him lettuce twice a day. I’ve tried a few other veggies (leafier lettuce, bok choy, brussel sprouts, etc.) but he doesn’t seem to like any of them. He doesn’t even eat his hay unless he’s run out of everything else.

I’m not sure exactly what or how much he was eating at his old home, but my understanding is that they gave him mostly pellets and fruit and yet he was somehow happier and more social there ): This bun is a tough one!

[Azerane]

It would be best to try and get him to eat more hay. He should be eating a pile of hay the size of himself every day. 1/4 cup is a fair amount of pellets for a bun his size though certainly far better than before. Perhaps once he’s adjusted a little he’ll eat more hay, otherwise you may need to cut the amount a touch more. In regards to the greens, some bunnies are extremely fussy at trying new things and are just too stubborn for their own good

Though it’s not the end of the world if they choose not to eat lots of greens.

He’ll get there with you, a few adjustments and once he gets used to it and you more I’m sure he’ll come out of his shell some more.

[Author]

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