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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 Olive not interested in pellets or hay

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    • Kai Loves Olive
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      19 posts Send Private Message

        Hi, I’ve never posted on here before. I have a house rabbit, Olive who is an 8 month old neutered male. He used to loveee hay and eat his pellets super quickly, within the last 2-3 weeks I’ve noticed I went from refilling his pellets every other day to now refilling them once a week, his hay hasn’t been touched really, I even bought 2 other types to entice him.. Didn’t work. I recently switched him to a water bowl and I feel like he’s barely drinking that either… I put his old water bottle in his room but he hasn’t touched that either
        He still gobbles down his fresh veggies and is always begging for treats, his potty is all normal..he has a little less energy but maybe I’m imagining it. Should I be concerned?


      • Sarita
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        18851 posts Send Private Message

          I wouldn’t be so much concerned about the pellets but I would keep trying with the hay.

          As for drinking water – I find that my rabbits don’t drink much water at all – I think it’s because they eat alot of veggies and they are indoors so they just don’t get as dehydrated.


        • Sam and Lady's Human
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          2001 posts Send Private Message

            How many treats is he getting? Its possible he’s filling up on treats.


          • Stickerbunny
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            4128 posts Send Private Message

              At 8 months, he’s at the point where you should be limiting his pellets rather than free feeding. Since you used to fill them up every other day, I assume you’re giving him a big bowl of pellets, versus measuring out a daily amount? It’s possible since he’s reaching adulthood, he is filling up on vegs + pellets and so isn’t eating as much hay and since he’s no longer a baby, his eating will slow. Measure out his pellets based on his weight, the next day if he hasn’t finished take them up and measure them out to see how much of the amount you gave him he ate. If he is eating a lot of greens, he’ll be getting water from those as well.

              Also, did you switch his hay recently? Maybe from alfalfa to grass hay, since he’s recently hit that mark in age?


            • RabbitPam
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                He should have between 1/8 and 1/4 cup of pellets daily, and the best adult hay is Timothy Hay. He may prefer softer hays like Orchard Grass, or the other end of the spectrum which is Mature Oat Hay. Let him try those and do wean him off of alfalfa if he’s been eating that.

                Limit to only one or two treats a day max. If they are really large of sweet treats, try giving a 1/4″ slice of banana or a small apple wedge instead. Just a few raisins are also a fruit treat, as are craisins. He may be filling up on those. Unless you find a hay he loves (my Sammy now goes for the Oat Hay before the other stuff sometimes!) he will prefer everything else before eating his hay, so limit the rest and give unlimited hay for a while. He will drink more if he isn’t getting enough water, but the washed veggies often provide much of the water they need, so just keep it fresh and handy.


              • Silly Sungura
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                  Maybe you should talk to your vet just in case… When I took my bunny to the vet recently for a check-up, the vet mentioned when he was checking her teeth that often a bunny will snub his/her hay and pellets in favor of softer foods like veggies when there’s a problem with their teeth. It is hopefully not what’s wrong with Olive, but since you are worried a quick call to your vet might better determine whether it’s something that warrants a check-up.


                • Beka27
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                    I would also recommend a vet check for his teeth. He’s still a bit young to be developing dental issues, but it does not hurt to have an examination done to see if any molar spurs are beginning to form.


                  • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                      Yeah…I’m thinking dental issues, and those could be excabberated by not eating hay…like a viscious circle. Veggies are the favorite for bunnies with ouchy mouths, at least when Noot had a bit of an overgrown tooth that’s almost all he would eat. Any change at all thought that you notice, you shoudl at least call the vet-you might not necessarily have to have him seen, your vet will know what questions to ask you so you can troubleshoot and see if an appointment is necessary.

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                  Forum DIET & CARE Olive not interested in pellets or hay