Chubby Baby Bunny - Diet Needed?

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This topic has 5sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 6 months ago by Chelsea.

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- 10/26/2016 at 5:30 PM
  pearnu1
  Participant
  2 posts
  Hello! My 8 week old Holland Lop is very chubby and eats a lot. Everything I read says they need unlimited access to pellets and alfalfa hay at this age, but I’m worried he’s going to have weight problems if he keeps eating like this. Would it be a bad idea to start limiting his pellets now? Should I switch to timothy hay instead of alfalfa? Or is he too young and I shouldn’t worry about it yet? Thanks!
- 10/26/2016 at 5:36 PM
  Azerane
  Moderator
  4688 posts
  Hi there, welcome
  
  Are the pellets he is eating alfalfa based? If so, you can switch to timothy hay if you would like. You only really need either the pellets or the hay to be alfalfa based, not necessarily both.
  
  In regards to quantity, he is a growing bunny so needs to eat a lot, that being said, you can limit pellets at this age as some bunnies really don’t moderate their pellet intake very well. I’m not exactly sure how much you’re putting in his bowl on a daily basis at the moment, but perhaps try feeding 1/4 cup in the morning, and 1/4 cup in the evening as long as it’s less than what you’re currently feeding. He’ll eat hay in between once his pellets are all gone
- 10/26/2016 at 5:50 PM
  cinnybun2015
  Participant
  570 posts
  Since your bun is young, I wouldn’t recommend a diet. Maybe try a mix of alfalfa/timothy and slowly switch it over to timothy. Or switch to timothy hay all together.
- 10/27/2016 at 8:53 AM
  pearnu1
  Participant
  2 posts
  Thank you both!
- 10/27/2016 at 1:37 PM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  I feel like I need to see pictures of this chubby little baby. Sounds adorable.
- 10/27/2016 at 5:22 PM
  Chelsea
  Participant
  189 posts
  He might just not be as chubby as you think, just fluffy 🙂 My mini-lop just came back to the vet and was told his weight is just right, in spite of everyone teasing him for his dewlap and round belly. She told me as long as you can feel their ribs, they are usually good. Of course, this same vet seems to be about 15 years out-of-date, so take it with a grain of salt. But sometimes bunnies are just cute and round AND healthy.
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