Diet Questions

[BunnyMunchkin]

My holland lop just turned 6 months old this month. I have purchased the oxbow adult pellets and I am going to start transitioning him from the young adult to the adult. I am also going to lower the amount from 1/2 cup to 1/4 cup. I would also like to start adding in greens and veg into his diet. What is the proper amount of greens/veg he should be getting each day? What kind would be best to start with?

I also bought the vita licious blend from small pet select, is it ok to start giving him some of that as well?

[sarahthegemini]

I think depending on the size of your bun, a half cup to a full cup of greens per day is recommended. But of course you want to build up to that amount gradually. I would suggest starting with romaine lettuce – It’s what I was advised to try first and my buns really like it. Just try a small piece and check their poop the next day, if all is okay, increase the amount slightly. Do this over the course of about a week until you are giving them a whole leaf. Give them a couple days to get used to that and then introduce the next veggie. I’m planning on giving mine coriander next I think.

I will say if you’re going to transition from one pellet to another, do this before introducing veg as you don’t want too many things changing at once. Wait til they’ve adjusted to the new pellets first.

Forgot to mention, if you’re decreasing the amount of pellets, do that gradually too

[BunnyMunchkin]

Thanks! That was going to be my next question! I will finish transitioning him to the new food before I start anything else. 

[Jessica]

My girl prefers green or red leaf lettuce to romaine, but her other favs are dandelion greens, carrot tops and cilantro

[BunnyMunchkin]

We have plenty of red leaf lettuce at our local stores but I have never been able to find dandelion greens, I would love to get some of that one day. How about parsley?

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By BunnyMunchkin on 12/07/2016 10:26 AM

We have plenty of red leaf lettuce at our local stores but I have never been able to find dandelion greens, I would love to get some of that one day. How about parsley?

Parsley is okay but I believe it’s one that is high in oxalic acid and shouldn’t be given every day. Is this right, guys? 

You could always try dried dandelion – my buns love it! Especially Peanut, I’ll sprinkle it over his hay and he’ll gobble the dandelion up before even starting on the hay 

[tobyluv]

Parsley is on the list of greens that are higher in oxalic acid and it’s better if those aren’t fed every day. The only place that I can find fresh dandelion greens are in a natural/organic food store, such as Earth Fare. The dandelion greens are organic and they come from California. You can feed dandelion greens that you have in your yard or a neighbor’s yard. Just make sure that they haven’t been sprayed with any chemicals and wash them well, of course. If you are a gardener, you can buy dandelion green seeds. Not many places sell them. Two are Johnny’s Seeds – they have a few different varieties, and Burpee Seeds, which has 1 variety.

Here is a good article on veggies and fruits for your rabbit: http://rabbit.org/suggested-vegetables-and-fruits-for-a-rabbit-diet/

[BunnyMunchkin]

Thank you for the link! I will stick with cilantro instead of the parsley then. I actually do grow a few different things for my tortoise so I will have to try and find some dandelion seeds, I am pretty sure my tortoise would enjoy those as well.

[Jessica]

My local grocery stores carry only organic dandelion greens, but they are only $1.89 so no big deal having them in the house

[Author]

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