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› Forum › DIET & CARE › Overhauling bunny diet – hay, forage, veggies etc. Need thoughts!
Hi guys, bare with me this might be a long one!
Right, as you all are probably aware, Buttercup has had tummy issues in the past. Three episodes of stasis between Oct 2016 and May 2017. Thankfully *touch wood* she has had no issues since May and I am eternally grateful! After having a very basic hay and dandelion diet for a few months, both pellets and veggies were reintroduced. Both her and Peanut get 10 individual pellets per day – Protexin probiotic and a few veggies. Each morning, they get cos lettuce, coriander, carrot tops and then either dill or thyme. So far, so good. We tried kale but Buttercup had a bit of a gurgly tummy so we have cut that out completely. I’m also avoiding previous favourites that may cause upset tummies such as spring greens and bok choy. They had a pretty huge variety of greens before the tummy troubles started and looking back, I wonder if perhaps her tummy wasn’t quite prepared for such diversity. They would both often have loud gurgling after veggies altho it never escalated – on the 3 stasis occasions, a gurgling tummy wasn’t actually a symptom but again, looking back the veggies were clearly causing some sort of reaction. In both bunnies. I’m very thankful that Peanut has never had any problems *touch wood*
Because of this, I’m reluctant to give such a wide variety again because I don’t want to have too many variables to deal with and I want to lessen the chance of stasis or other tummy issues reoccurring. It got me thinking, perhaps Buttercup has a sensitive tummy because veggies aren’t necessarily something they would naturally eat in the wild. Maybe her tummy isnt developed for it? So for her sake (and Peanut’s of course) should I focus more on providing a more natural diet and providing variety that way. I.e. a variety of hay and forage. And then keep the veggies not to a minimum as such but very simple. I’m thinking of just giving 3 or 4 greens a day, with little variety, just to keep some consistency. Does this make sense?
This also got me thinking that if I am to limit veggies in such a way, I should provide a complete pellet to ensure there are no deficiencies. I believe Fibafirst is a complete pellet so I’d like to include that in addition to the Protexin.
Obviously I’m not going to make any sudden changes, I’m going to take my time but I’m looking for insight, thoughts and opinions. I don’t want to deprive my rabbits and I of course want them to be happy and healthy. So does my plan sound wise?
To sum up, I would provide a few veggies per day largely for enrichment and then pellets to make up any shortcomings. I will primarily focus on hay and forage. Currently, both buns get 3 types of hay: Oxbow Orchard, timothy hay from timothyhay.co.uk and Burns green oat hay. They also currently get dried dandelion. I would include more foraging foods such as flower petals, leaves and twigs. Pets at Home actually stock a product by Woodlands that is literally just 50% Blackcurrant leaves and 50% apple twigs which I thought would be pretty good.
I would be very grateful to hear what you guys think! Am I on the right track?
If they have sensitive tummies, then I think it’s a good idea to try and figure out an alternative. That’s a lot of stasis poor Buttercup had! I am so lucky to have never had any stasis issues with Ophelia in the 8 months I’ve had her *touch wood*
I’m not sure what is available where you are, but I get Ophelia these dried herbal blends from Small Pet Select. Maybe you can find something similar where you are. The different blends have different things, but most of them have common ingredients including: rose hips, strawberry leaves, dandelion root, chamomile, lavender, hibiscus flower, red clover, oat seeds. I still feed her veggies but I bought these different herbal blends because of the medicinal value- I essentially view this as the equivalent of me taking vitamins every day for an extra health-boost. I just give her 1 tsp of the blend sprinkles into her salad sometimes, she loves the stuff!
Posted By BunNoob on 12/15/2017 8:25 AM
If they have sensitive tummies, then I think it’s a good idea to try and figure out an alternative. That’s a lot of stasis poor Buttercup had! I am so lucky to have never had any stasis issues with Ophelia in the 8 months I’ve had her *touch wood*I’m not sure what is available where you are, but I get Ophelia these dried herbal blends from Small Pet Select. Maybe you can find something similar where you are. The different blends have different things, but most of them have common ingredients including: rose hips, strawberry leaves, dandelion root, chamomile, lavender, hibiscus flower, red clover, oat seeds. I still feed her veggies but I bought these different herbal blends because of the medicinal value- I essentially view this as the equivalent of me taking vitamins every day for an extra health-boost. I just give her 1 tsp of the blend sprinkles into her salad sometimes, she loves the stuff!
Thank you for your input BunNoob! Yes a lot of stasis indeed, poor little bean is only just over a year old but as I said – her last episode was back in May so this is actually the longest she’s gone w/o issues! I’m so thrilled. It’s so scary tho because the last episode was definitely the hardest. Overnight vet stays, constantly back and forth, force feeding etc. It was awful. Luckily, she had Peanut to keep her company at the vet (i’m sure he wasn’t too pleased but at least he was able to give her some moral support and a bit of familiar company at such a frightening time for her)
My local pet shop doesn’t have a great selection but they do have some herbal blends, including the apple twig and Blackcurrant leaves mix. I order a lot from thehayexperts.co.uk and they have a pretty big selection of leaves and whatnot such as raspberry leaf, birch leaves, chamomile, marigold, rose petals, sunflower petals etc. Some the buns have tried before, and some they haven’t so it’ll be interesting to see what they like. Especially as their tastes change so often
I definitely see the importance of veggies and pellets but I think the best for my two is to limit them and focus on other parts of their diet. I am grateful that they both love their hay!
Oh goodness… I can’t imagine what I would do if Ophelia got sick. That’s the one thing about rabbits, that when they are sick you HAVE to constantly monitor them because they can get worse in such a short time. I’m terrified what will happen if I have any issues, since my job would most likely tell me that it’s not necessary to take off of work. Guess I would have to be fired!
I think that’s a great plan! I agree that not widening the veggie variety would be good for her, especially since you intend on supplementing with other things.
Posted By BunNoob on 12/15/2017 10:17 AM
Oh goodness… I can’t imagine what I would do if Ophelia got sick. That’s the one thing about rabbits, that when they are sick you HAVE to constantly monitor them because they can get worse in such a short time. I’m terrified what will happen if I have any issues, since my job would most likely tell me that it’s not necessary to take off of work. Guess I would have to be fired!
You could always find another job if they sacked you! Hehe. I’ve got health issues of my own so I don’t work so luckily I’m able to be really really vigilant. I’ve got a good idea of the amount of poops to expect each day from the two of them and I’m pretty familiar with their pooping schedule so I’m quick at spotting if something isn’t quite right. I’m a complete wreck when I have to be in hospital, I make my partner send me regular poop updates with photos of the litter trays
Posted By Luna on 12/15/2017 10:24 AM
I think that’s a great plan! I agree that not widening the veggie variety would be good for her, especially since you intend on supplementing with other things.
Thank you Luna! Do you think I’m overlooking or missing anything?
Do you think you will add the Fibafirst first and then the foraging foods, or do the foraging foods first and then the Fibafirst later?
Posted By Luna on 12/15/2017 10:40 AM
Do you think you will add the Fibafirst first and then the foraging foods, or do the foraging foods first and then the Fibafirst later?
I was thinking of adding the fibafirst first and getting them accustomed to that and then trying the foraging foods in the new year
Posted By sarahthegemini on 12/15/2017 10:30 AM
Posted By BunNoob on 12/15/2017 10:17 AM
Oh goodness… I can’t imagine what I would do if Ophelia got sick. That’s the one thing about rabbits, that when they are sick you HAVE to constantly monitor them because they can get worse in such a short time. I’m terrified what will happen if I have any issues, since my job would most likely tell me that it’s not necessary to take off of work. Guess I would have to be fired!You could always find another job if they sacked you! Hehe. I’ve got health issues of my own so I don’t work so luckily I’m able to be really really vigilant. I’ve got a good idea of the amount of poops to expect each day from the two of them and I’m pretty familiar with their pooping schedule so I’m quick at spotting if something isn’t quite right. I’m a complete wreck when I have to be in hospital, I make my partner send me regular poop updates with photos of the litter trays
I’m always really nervous about something going wrong while I am at work. I really wish I could just have a bunny barn and have no worries about a job or bills…just take care of bunnies! Ah, we can all dream, can’t we? But Ophelia is always really energetic in the morning, so if something was wrong then I would know before work. Even if she was acting a little off I would call out and monitor her. Besides being at work for 9 hours during the day, I’m home with her all the other hours since I have absolutely no social life whatsoever. I find animals are better company than people anyway
BN – Have you looked into wifi video cams? That was the only way I was able to know Luna was showing signs of stasis the other week. Most of the cameras provide free apps so you can check the video feed anytime on your phone. It’s totally worth peace of mind!
Posted By Luna on 12/15/2017 11:12 AM
BN – Have you looked into wifi video cams? That was the only way I was able to know Luna was showing signs of stasis the other week. Most of the cameras provide free apps so you can check the video feed anytime on your phone. It’s totally worth peace of mind!
I’ve considered it, but I have to justify the expense to my husband.. He thinks that it will ultimately be useless since she spends nearly the whole time we are at work sleeping behind the sofa… but I may just have to get myself a Christmas gift, if ya know what I mean!
I’ve often thought of putting cameras with night vision in the rabbit room to see what they get up to during the night but I think I’d rather be oblivious!
I think that sounds perfectly healthy. I don’t think limiting veg is bad at all, 4 types still has enough variety to be interesting, and in the wild i guess they largely eat the same things anyway. Plus there’s such an interesting variety of dried forage available, I don’t think they’ll be bored!
What about growing some grass for them? I imagine fresh grass shouldn’t cause issues, but could be add a bit of variety.
Luna had some gas the other day, and I can’t work out what caused it, since it was before their evening veg.
And yes, I have one of those wifi cams, it makes me so happy checking them during the day It wasn’t actually very expensive at all. You can get reasonable ones for about £30.
Posted By Sirius&Luna on 12/18/2017 4:58 AM
I think that sounds perfectly healthy. I don’t think limiting veg is bad at all, 4 types still has enough variety to be interesting, and in the wild i guess they largely eat the same things anyway. Plus there’s such an interesting variety of dried forage available, I don’t think they’ll be bored!What about growing some grass for them? I imagine fresh grass shouldn’t cause issues, but could be add a bit of variety.
Luna had some gas the other day, and I can’t work out what caused it, since it was before their evening veg.
And yes, I have one of those wifi cams, it makes me so happy checking them during the day It wasn’t actually very expensive at all. You can get reasonable ones for about £30.
Not gunna lie I am pretty excited about all the lovely forage I can get! I hadn’t even thought about growing fresh grass, I’ll have to look into it and see if I can grow it on a windowsill
› Forum › DIET & CARE › Overhauling bunny diet – hay, forage, veggies etc. Need thoughts!