Biscuit STILL wont eat hay! :( Help!

[AnnaW]

My 8 year old rabbit Biscuit STILL won’t eat hay!

I’ve given him 4 different types, ranging from the most expensive to the cheapest, timothy, alfalfa, all sort of stuff!

HE WONT EAT IT  

I’ve done everything, tried to make it into a game, reduced his pellets, reduced his veg but he refuses to eat it ¬¬

Anyone got any advice? I could really use it, he had surgery for malloclusion a few weeks ago and i’d really like him not to have to have any more surgery!!

Thanks xx

[tobyluv]

I don’t know which brands and all the types of hay you’ve already tried, but here is a suggestion. A few months ago, there was a rabbit who came into the Sanctuary where I volunteer, and she woulld not eat hay (that comes from a local farmer). I brought some of my Oxbox Botanical hay, which is Timothy with a few herbs and flowers, and she did eat that. It is very aromatic, and maybe it would tempt Biscuit. Orchard grass is also more tempting to some rabbits since it is sweeter.

I know that rabbits can’t go long without eating, but you may have to practice tough love and instead of giving Biscuit his daily pellet ration, put down some hay instead. Don’t give him any other food for a while and see if he will eat the hay. I assume that he is not having trouble eating, since he is apparently eating pellets and veggies. I don’t know how long you should wait before you give in and go ahead and feed pellets and veggies if he isn’t eating the hay. Maybe someone else would have a good idea about that.

Some rabbits are just not good hay eaters, but they usually will eat some.

[RabbitPam]

It’s good advice to cut back on the other types of food until he begins to eat some of the hay. Have you tried entirely different “hays” like Orchard Grass (often a favorite with picky eaters); Broam; American Diner Second Cut Hay (a softer timothy); toppings that are sold in the store that make the hay taste more interesting? You can also try hiding a raisin or two well under a pile of hay in the hope that the ferreting out will lead to some hay consumption.

[AnnaW]

Yeah, i think tough love is the way i’m gonna have to go i’m afraid! Not TOO tough though, dont want a starving bunny!!
At the minute i’ve made him 10 biscuits that are made up of his pellets all crushed up, crushed carrot, and i cut up loadss of hay and put it into the mix … i’m hoping he’ll eat it … remember he likes it and then eat hay like a proper rabbit!!! Haha

[Stickerbunny]

Did you try orchard? My buns love it more than any other hay type.

[Sarita]

I would just entice him with regular hay than a biscuit treat.

Is he not eating ANY or just not eating as much as you feel he should be eating?

[AnnaW]

Yes, i have tried literally every type!! But thanks for the suggestion
And he isn’t eating ANY, at all, not one tiny miniscule bit ¬¬

[Sarita]

How long have you had him? Thinking it might be difficult to teach an old bun new tricks.

[AnnaW]

8 years … haha, he ate hay at the beginning! Then just gradually went off it, he doesnt seem to understand that it’s food!

[Monkeybun]

have you gotten his teeth checked? often they stop eating hay because of dental issues.

[Sarita]

I read back on your previous posts and like Monkeybun is saying if he had dental issues, this may be the cause of this. When did you have his teeth filed last?

[AnnaW]

Yes he’s had dental issues, he has maloclussion and a naturally misaligned jaw which would make eating hay difficult, he had his teeth done last month, filed riiiiight down bless him!

[Sarita]

Well perhaps it’s just a mechancial issue for him rather than an issue of taste. I don’t know of course if this is the reason or not, but perhaps the hay is too difficult for him to eat.

Maybe you should look for a 2nd or 3rd cut timothy has which will have a softer texture.

[AnnaW]

Yeah, i’ve tried stuff thats almost wilted down haha! And grass too, but he just doesn’t seem interested, though with the grass he did get a few bits in his mouth which showed he wanted it, but they fell out again I think maybe it’s discomfort due to his little rubbish teeth ^^

[Beka27]

Is he going back in for a second check on his teeth? How frequently do they need to be trimmed down? Did he always have teeth problems (even when he ate hay) or did it show up later on?

[AnnaW]

They have said to call and go back if i notice him having problems with his eating again (he was having clear discomfort and pain even when eating his pellets) but he’s fine currently, chomping down on anything given to him (apart from hay)
He only started to get his teeth problems recently, though the vets said as he’s old and a dwarf, it’s natural as their jaws are often misaligned, poor little bun!

[RabbitPam]

Poor guy. It does sound like they’re starting to bother him again. If the biscuits are soft I think they are worth a try in light of the teeth issues.

[AnnaW]

Yeah, i’ve made them quite soft and they seem to be a hit actually! At least he’s getting a tiny bit of hay intake, it’s better than none! At the minute i’m working on keeping his weight up .. he’s so spoilt!!

[Starmoniiglisten]

How do you make the biscuits, that sounds amazing, i want to try it! my buns im sure would love it

[lashkay]

These are made with timothy hay, cranberries, applesauce and rolled oats:

http://store.bunspace.com/Cranberry-Timothy-Cupcakes_p_46.html

Haven’t tried them yet, but I’m going to! They sound great for picky eaters.

[Starmoniiglisten]

That sounds amazing, thank you so much

[lashkay]

You’re very welcome – Happy nommin’!

[stella'smom]

WOW!!! the food on that site looks amazing!!!

i’m an herbalist, and have many of those flowers growing in my gardens… i’m going to go out tomorrow and see what’s left! yeah!!!!! (i also have alot of it in my herb cabinet… mmmm… what can i blend for stella?! fun!)

[Author]

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