Switched Pellets- now problems with cecotropes

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This topic has 4sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 2 months ago by SamSinn.

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- 02/18/2017 at 9:10 AM
  SamSinn
  Participant
  29 posts
  So, my rabbit was having some problems not eating her cecotropes and I took her to the vet, who said she was getting too many vegetables, and recommended that I switch to timothy pellets instead of alfalfa (i’m a first time bunny owner so I’m doing my best). I stopped the veg for about a week and gave very limited pellets until my timothy ones came in the mail. During that time, my two rabbits split one eighth cup of alfalfa pellets each day. It seemed to solve the problems, there have been no cecotropes left behind for over a week! Until I switched over to the timothy pellets and starting giving my two rabbits a bit more than 1/4 cup to split. This morning I woke up and there were 6 cecotropes on the ground, and I’m pretty sure they all came from the same rabbit. Could it just be from the switch in pellets or is something worse going on? And isn’t 6 a lot? Usually when she left some behind it was just one or two.
  
  They are both eating, pooping, and playing normally, and the last time we were at the vet a few weeks ago they tested negative for coccidia.
- 02/18/2017 at 9:12 AM
  sarahthegemini
  Participant
  5584 posts
  When switching pellets, you need to do it gradually. Did you stop the old and start the new immediately or did you transition them slowly?
- 02/18/2017 at 10:36 AM
  SamSinn
  Participant
  29 posts
  I started immediately, its been about two days. should I try mixing in some of the alfalfa pellets for a while?
  
  thanks for replying!
- 02/18/2017 at 10:40 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  16877 posts
  Yes, mix them up. A common recommendation is Week 1: 75% old to 25% new, week 2: 50/50, week 3: 25/75.
  
  Some buns will tolerate a swifter change like 50/50 to begin with. But slow is never wrong when it comes to bunnies and dietary changes.
- 02/18/2017 at 10:43 AM
  SamSinn
  Participant
  29 posts
  Wow thank you so much! My vet didn’t mention this and I just didn’t think it would be that big of a change going from one kind of pellet to another but it makes sense given how delicate their digestive track is. I’ll mix it up. Your advice is much appreciated, I was very worried!
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