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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum DIET & CARE Bunny won’t eat hay outside

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    • LunaLove
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      19 posts Send Private Message

        My bunny has a large hutch she stays in while my husband and I are at work. She has access to unlimited hay in her hutch, but she never eats it. The only time she eats hay is when I bring her inside. I have a container that I put her hay in by her litter box and water. Any idea why she won’t eat it outside? I replace it every few days to make sure it’s fresh, but she still won’t touch it.


      • Finnigan!
        Participant
        48 posts Send Private Message

          If she has access to fresh grass she may be filling upon that instead of the hay


        • Wick & Fable
          Moderator
          5771 posts Send Private Message

            It could be a variety of factors.

            1) Is the hay’s presentation the same as indoors (hay rack vs. pile in a box, in a litter box vs. out in the open)
            2) Does the environment outdoors tend to make the hay less appealing? (humidity changes moisture level of hay, atmosphere may make the hay smell less potent)

            — Rabbits like to eat, poop, and sleep in the same area, so it could be the hutch hay isn’t as cozy of a spot. Your rabbit may not feel as comfortable eating hay there as well if the hutch is somewhat exposed to loud noises or your rabbit just does not feel as comfortable to eat as the indoors. It could also be when you put your rabbit in its hutch; perhaps she is already full during the times she’s in the hutch, so she doesn’t really feel the need to eat while in it.

            The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.


          • Sunny
            Participant
            68 posts Send Private Message

              i’m certainly no rabbit expert, but my guess is that it could maaaaybe be fear..?

              what possible predators for rabbits live in your area? does the rabbit eat greens and/or pellets while she’s out there or does she avoid them too? where did you get your rabbit?

              rabbits are prey animals so i’m thinking that maybe she could just be in fear of something she hears, smells, or sees. if she’s not eating anything else while in her hutch, that could be more proof of this, as well as if she’s lived completely indoors all of her life before you got her. maybe she’s not used to being outside.

              i’ll say it again, though – i honestly have no clue! those are just my thoughts on what it could be. i’m sure there are other people on this forum who’ve had similar experiences to yours and will have better explanations. my rabbit Sienna has lived in my room with me ever since i got her, so i wouldn’t really know.

              edit: i finished submitting and noticed other people responded. whoops. i guess you’ll have more ideas.


            • LunaLove
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              19 posts Send Private Message

                Thanks for all the answers! She does have access to fresh grass, so I’m thinking that may be it. I might try putting hay in different places as well to see if it’s the location that she doesn’t like.

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            Forum DIET & CARE Bunny won’t eat hay outside