no pellet diet?

[piperknitsRN]

My new bunny, Simon, is rumored to be around 4 months of age–he’s no more than three pounds, so I’m guessing he can’t be much older than that.  I haven’t had a chance to go out and get him pellets, but he’s been eating a combination of timothy hay and alfalfa hay.  Will this suffice, or should I buy him pellets to supplement his growth?

[Sam and Lady's Human]

He needs pellets. You haven’t given him pellets for a week?

[piperknitsRN]

No, he’s gotten timothy hay pellets (not alfalfa–I was thinking of buying them.  He’s not a huge pellet fan, though).

[Beka27]

Timothy pellets are fine. I wouldn’t bother transitioning him to alfalfa pellets only to transition him back in a few months.

[Sam and Lady's Human]

Beka, I think she’s referring to the pellets that are just compacted timothy hay, not like adult timothy pellets? I could be confusing her with another member though.

[piperknitsRN]

Thank you.  He nibbles daintly at his pellets but loves his hay even more.  (Olive used to *love* alfalfa pellets when she was younger–actually, just a few weeks ago, as she’s only between five and six months old, and when she hears the cupboard door open, she sits up and begs for pellets–it’s just too cute).    The pellets are Oxbow timothy.  Oh my goodness–these two, who last week were fighting–are now nose to nose in meatloaf position, practically cuddling.  I’m so glad I stuck with the bonding process… this is amazing to see them acting like old pals!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

The more hay the better but a young bunny should definitely have pellets, and arguably they should have some pellets always to give them nutrition. If he only nibbles thats perfect. That’s what mine do, consuming about a cup a week between two of them-I free feed and they only eat what they need preferring hay. But it is an important part of their diet especially when young and you shouuld pick up some pellets

[Sam and Lady's Human]

So wait, I’m confused. You asked if he needs pellets because you don’t have any and all he eats is timothy and alfalfa hay, but he has and eats oxbow pellets?

[piperknitsRN]

Thank you!  I do have pellets (Oxbow timothy) and I’m glad he doesn’t wolf them down like Olive does hers!   They both spend a great deal of time grazing on 1st cut timothy hay, sometimes orchard hay, and Simon gets his pellets.  I was just wondering with the addition of alfalfa hay if he didn’t need the pellets… but he obviously does. 

[piperknitsRN]

It’s the  alfalfa pellets I don’t have… I heard young bunnies should have alfalfa pellets, but I’ve been giving him alfalfa hay and timothy hay.  I have timothy pellets and he’s been getting those.  Sorry, I was a little confusing in my previous posts. 

[Monkeybun]

I wouldn’t worry about alfalfa pellets. Monkey hated em, Smudge hated em, and both are totally fine with having had timothy from the moment i got them

[piperknitsRN]

That’s funny you say that, Monkeybun, because Olive <> alfalfa pellets and would balloon up to a gazillion pounds by gorging on them if I allowed her to (she’s back to eating timothy pellets, which she now gorges on because she’s afraid Simon will get something she doesn’t have).  I don’t let her gorge, actually–I was just hyperbolizing for effect.  She does run over when I set the pellets down for Simon, and since they’re in the initial stages of bonding, I don’t want a fight over food, so I can only feed him pellets when I think she’s not looking, but she’s got my number on that account, I fear.  In fact, she wasn’t that stoked on apple twigs, until I gave one to Simon (she stole it from him).  Really, Simon’s kinda a push over, but considering how nosy she is, I’m sorta glad…

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