Alfalfa hay cause diarrhea? Should I mix it with timothy?

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This topic has 3sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 2 months ago by KatnipCrzy.

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- 12/01/2008 at 8:45 PM
  carrythehare
  Participant
  66 posts
  I gave Fuzzy alfalfa hay for the first time today because he stopped eating hay and I thought alfalfa might encourage him to eat hay again. He just had a giant blob of diarrhea. He had no veggies or anything else except pellets. The only new thing is the alfalfa. Should I mix it with Timothy hay to dilute it? Does alfalfa hay cause diarrhea? Its now 11:39 PM, and I have to go to bed soon. I’ll check email before I go to bed. If no reply to this post, I’ll check first thing in the morning. (He was running around earlier, like he feels okay.)
- 12/01/2008 at 8:51 PM
  Lightchick
  Participant
  1017 posts
  Lizzy has, in the past, gotten poopy-butt when the only change to her diet was a different kind of hay… I don’t think I’ve actually seen anything that says this can happen, but she’s been on the same kind of hay for months, and no poopy-butt. It could just be a matter of adjustment. Like anything else you feed them, probably a good idea to start out with limited amounts of the new edible, and work up so their system can adjust…
- 12/02/2008 at 12:11 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Alfalfa hay can be too rich for older bunnies (high protein) and can cause excess cecal production. This could be what you’re seeing. Have you tried the other softer cuts of grass hays, more fragrant types? I’ve read of Fuzzys troubles in your other threads. I read about pellets that are 100% hay recently. Here’s the link to a discussion about them: https://www.binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/forumid/1/postid/82506/view/topic/Default.aspx
  
  This may be a short term option to increase fiber in his diet. Then hopefully he’ll eat hay again after a molar reduction (???) Hopefully!!!
- 12/02/2008 at 10:58 AM
  KatnipCrzy
  Participant
  2981 posts
  I would try to mix it with other type of hay he is used to. But with Fuzzy’s medical problems it may not be only the change in hay that is causing some mushy stool. If he is not eating like a normal bunny and needs to be force fed, etc- things are not progressing thru his gut like a typical bun that snacks all day. If he is eating the alfalfa that is great- and it is a good sign that he will accept other types of soft hay.
  
  Since your vet specializes in rabbits I would ask your vet about the alfalfa and what recommendations are- obviously any hay/fiber you can get Fuzzy to eat willing is a huge plus! But since your vet has seen Fuzzy recently and knows what his body condition is like (weight, how skinny, how easily to feel spine and ribs) your vet would be a great resource in clarifying that an alfalfa diet would be approp. It may be that Fuzzy needs a richer diet that he WILL eat and manage any symptoms of that in other ways.
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