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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum DIET & CARE Our bunnies are already too plump but always act hungry. What should I do?

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    • LittleDoll
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        I dont understand why Little Doll and Magic always act hungry. Every time when I bring them greens and fill their dish with pellets they start jumping around like crazy. Little Doll gets so excited that she runs over the dish, knocks it over and spills all the greens.

        The bunnies are already plump. I havent weighed them, but I can feel how round their bellies are when I pick them up.

        I feed them twice a day with greens, small pieces of fruit or carrots and dry pellets per instructions on the bag. They always have unlimited timothy hay.

        I feel really bad for them because they seem so hungry, but I dont want them to get obese and develop health problems either.


      • bunnylova123
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          Well, you’ve probably just got greedy little buns  most rabbits love their food and get excited whenever they get it. Domestic bunnies have lost the capability to know how much they should eat because originally they were bred for food  and the greediest rabbits were preferred. Slowly cut down on their treats ( maybe every other day ) and if they are very obese think about getting them onto a specific overweight rabbit food. Excel do a nice looking one. That way you won’t have to change the amount of pellets, just the amount of fat.


        • Roberta
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            Buns like food… They look lovely and healthy… My maniacs can have two full hay trays but will bounce off the walls and runt o me if it looks like I am going to serve more.
            I suspect they are often hoping for treats. Their behavior when I rattle the Craisin box is really pathetic. I wouldn’t worry that they are starving. I’d say they just enjoy the whole process. If they have unlimited hay, at least 1/4 of pellets each per day and two good serves of greens each per day they are being fed perfectly. If they are bigger or long haired buns you can double the pellets.


          • Monkeybun
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              Don’t let them trick you, they aren’t actually starving

              My rabbits get 1/8 cup of pellets today, and a nice large salad once a day. Rest of the day is hay, with a treat MAYBE. My vet said their diet is great, and I trust him

              Most rabbits do get excited about food, don’t worry about it.


            • Bam
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              16838 posts Send Private Message

                I think bunnylova is right. Plus, rabbits have a natural instinct to eat as much as they possibly can. In nature, rabbits are prey to so many predators that they rarely have the time and opportunity to sit in one place and eat all they want. Most often they get interrupted and have to run, then seek new food, munch a little, then run again. This way they get plenty of exercise but they also have to keep eating most of the time above ground to get enough energy and nourishment.

                Our house-bunnys live under completely different conditions. We have to protect them from overeating.

                 

                PS: Your bunnies look lovely. 


              • Deleted User
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                  What is the correct ratio of pellets to pounds? I thought it was a tablespoon per pound but I’m not sure if that’s right. Also, if you have two rabbits housed together is it alright to put all their pellets in one bowl? Or should you give them each their own?

                  Thanks!


                • Bam
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                    Here’s what oxbow recommends http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products/type/detail?object=1536 Different brands of pellets will have different weight per volume. Some are dense other types less dense and of course you need to give a bigger serving of less dense types.

                    If one bunny is fat and one is getting skinnier, then you should probably separate them when they have their pellets.


                  • Roberta
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                      Depends on the buns. I have a nicely bonded family unit and I find that they eat what they need as far as pellets are concerned. A half cup twice per day does all of them and usually they leave some. I have watched monitored and really none of them are pellet pigs. They love their hay !!!!!!!! Salads are also very exciting. Pellets ? Meh,, It will do if the hay runs out.


                    • Beka27
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                        My buns are always excited for food. They get excited for salad, they get excited for pellets, and they even get excited when I top off their hay basket. They just like food… lol!

                        I feed them both out of one bowl for pellets, one for salad, etc… I am of the opinion that they will eat what they need. And they know that once pellets/veggies are gone, they still have hay which they love.


                      • Deleted User
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                          Bam, thank You, … I just don’t think of checking websites as a rule but it was an excellent idea. I use Martins’ Adult (not the original) so I went to take a look.

                          Thank you Roberta and Beka, very reassuring. I will keep an eye on things (well peeling me away from this room for the first week or two after they arrive will be the challenge, the rest of the fur family is going to comment I’m sure), but I’d planned on letting them share bowls then suddenly got worried. Hopefully it will work. I’m a big fan of free feeding and like letting my cats eat that way. I’d let the dogs do so as well except one of my cats eats their food too if given the chance so can’t do that.

                          Thanks again!

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                      Forum DIET & CARE Our bunnies are already too plump but always act hungry. What should I do?