New bunny parent problems

[Chlari9]

Hi So we just added a Bunny (Wallie) to our family. When I was looking at getting a rabbit I did all the research I before hand about feeding and caring. about always having lots hay and veggies and just a small amount of pellets each day. Well when we went to pick up Wallie at the breeders hes 7 month old Holland lop. she handed me a bag of pellets and said here’s his food hes been on since birth… I just was like umm hes never been on hay? She like nope these pellets give all the nutrition they need. When I got home I contacted one of my friends who raised rabbits growing up he said this was common… he told me to keep giving him pellets and slowly add more and more greens/vegs in and cut the pellets downs as i give more fresh…so far the poop is staying solid I have had him for about 4 days now. I haven’t added hey yet because my friend said that’s the last thing I should introduce and since only having him 4 days I just been slowly just giving him lettuce(everyday) and a few carrot chips(every other day)…Am I doing the right thing? he always has food available.

[sarahthegemini]

Hay is not the last thing you should introduce. You need to get him eating hay asap. Veggies can come next. Carrots should be given in moderation as they are sugary.

[Vienna Blue in France]

Hi Chlari and a warm welcome to BB !

You are doing the right thing by introducing slowly. Introduce one veggie at a time so if he is not happy with it or it disagrees with him you will know what did it.
Lettuce can be given but NOT iceberg lettuce as it gives them an upset tummy.
I give mine cabbage but cabbage can give gas to some rabbits so give a little at a time.
As Sarah said carrots are high in sugar as are fruits. So give very little amounts.

Try and go for any dark green leafy veggies or herbs.
You can find a rabbit friendly list in diet and care or on the House Rabbit Society website. There are lots to choose from.

You may find he won’t eat much hay to begin with but you can certainly give it to him as an option.
It has important fibre which helps the food go throught their digestive system.

We’d love to see photos !!

[Hazel]

Beautiful sandwiching there, Vienna! 

It’s true that they get most of their nutrition from pellets and veggies, but hay is still an incredibly important part of their diet (in fact it should make up the majority of their diet). It helps wear down their teeth and keeps their digestive tract moving. Rabbits have to more or less eat 24/7, otherwise their digestive tract will begin to shut down. Of course you can’t feed them pellets all day long, so it’s very important to have hay available for them at all times, the more hay they eat the better! 

[Author]

Messages