Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

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.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

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.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum DIET & CARE Not eating enough pellets?

Viewing 10 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • MoveDiagonally
      Participant
      2361 posts Send Private Message

        I give the buns ¼ cup of pellets every morning (they are both 6-7 pounds). They also get their salad every night and unlimited hay.

         

        I noticed that while they munch on their pellets when I first put them in there that they never eat all of them. Dexter eats about half and Penny eats about 1/3 of them. I usually spread them around their hutches before I give them their salad. I think they munch on them a little more but there is always some left over. They eat all their veggies and a good amount of hay.  

         

        Is this something I should be worried about? If so, how do you encourage them to eat more pellets?  

         

        Here’s some pics of them finishing up their veggies. I just noticed that they blend in with their flooring.


      • RabbitPam
        Moderator
        11002 posts Send Private Message

          Not to worry at all. It is a very good sign, because it means they are filliing up on their hay and greens first. I would liken it to a child who gobbles up his vegetables but leaves his mashed potatoes half eaten. Pellets are at best a supplement, but most are too fattening and that’s why we limit them. You can even cut back to 1/8 cup apiece daily. Just remember that fruits are sweet and a bit fattening so should be treats not a staple. Many bunnies love eating as much fruit as they can beg off of us and will happily ignore pellets for those too. For them fruits are dessert.


        • Stickerbunny
          Participant
          4128 posts Send Private Message

            Yep, it’s fine – Powder half the time leaves his plate of pellets untouched when I give them because he’s too busy munching his hay, in the morning there is still half a plate of pellets. It’s more important that they eat a good grass hay and their greens.


          • bwild
            Participant
            273 posts Send Private Message

              I’m glad you asked this Ripley, because my Penelope does the same thing! In fact, I’m not sure she eats the pellets I give her at all! I’ve been thinking about not giving her her pellets anymore, but I think I’ll keep them in there just in case she changes her mind I’m glad to know I have nothing to worry about!


            • MoveDiagonally
              Participant
              2361 posts Send Private Message

                I was hoping that was the case! Thank you for the answers

                I’ve been feeding them a slice of banana every other day. And a craisen or two in the morning. Does this seem like too much? For veggies – Romaine Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, and a carrot or two. (this week, I’ll probably try out some new veggies next week)

                Diet has been my biggest challenge. I’m trying to get the hang of it!


              • Stickerbunny
                Participant
                4128 posts Send Private Message

                  I wouldn’t give broccoli daily, since it can give bunnies gas and that can lead to tummy upset. Mine love it so I keep it to every few days and I haven’t had a problem, but keep an eye out since some can be more sensitive than others.

                  bwild, if your bun doesn’t eat the pellets at all make sure you get a variety of veggies into the diet (slowly for new ones) to make up for it. And I would keep offering the pellets just in case, though maybe try a different brand if your bun doesn’t like the one you have now.


                • Tate
                  Participant
                  734 posts Send Private Message

                    What kind of pellets are you feeding?
                    I agree it’s nothing to worry about, but unless your getting in a TON of veggies daily (I *think* you need about 17 different vegetables daily to get the same amount of nutrition in a serving size of pellets- per Lucille Moore) it’s important to have some pellets. I would think that them eating even just a few will be totally sufficient, but don’t underestimate the value of pellets, especially since we can rarely provide the right amount of veggies!


                  • MoveDiagonally
                    Participant
                    2361 posts Send Private Message

                      Good to know about broccoli! No more for them right now. I would throw in a little stalk with their leafy greens (Like I did with the baby carrots).


                    • Beka27
                      Participant
                      16016 posts Send Private Message

                        Depending on the quantity of veggies you feed, you might even be able to offer an extra handful of veggies each day. While the minimum recommended per day is 2 cups per rabbits, you can feed up to about 4 cups, and since they are larger rabbits, if I were you I’d be trying to give the higher amount, especially since they’re eating all their veggies right now.

                        Tate asked: What kind of pellets are you feeding? Are they timothy based?


                      • MoveDiagonally
                        Participant
                        2361 posts Send Private Message

                          Beka – I feed Oxbow Adult Rabbit. (I thought Tate was asking bwild)

                          I’ve been feeding about 2-3 cups a day each. I’m not opposed to trying out 4 cups for them a day.


                        • Tate
                          Participant
                          734 posts Send Private Message

                            Oh you’re totally fine with those pellets then. They are quite rich and dense so it doesn’t take much to get those extra vitamins.
                            I would up their veggies though, if you can. It’s expensive but very worth it. Both of my rabbits are under 3 lbs and get about 3 cups of veggies daily. They don’t eat it all at once, but it’s usually gone within a few hours.

                        Viewing 10 reply threads
                        • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                        Forum DIET & CARE Not eating enough pellets?