Fattening up the Bella wabbit..

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 12sd replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 6 months ago by Kokaneeandkahlua.

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- 08/29/2009 at 1:15 PM
  Aminah Undone
  Participant
  84 posts
  Her diet is Oxbow 15/23 (I think that’s the number on the young rabbit formula), alfalfa.. timothy and oat.. hay, a nice green salad from my organic garden, and lots of fresh water. Of course, she still takes her meds 2x a day, also.
  
  Can I offer her some Oats or Calf Manna? When my Chin’boy first arrived here really skinny and malnourished, I gave him Steel Oats and Calf Manna sprinkled over his pellets.. and he gradually gained some “good” weight. I realize Bella is a bunny and not a chinchilla.. but can I give her some of these supplements, too?
  
  It’s breaking my heart to feel her backbone and hips.. even her ribs, still… whenever I pick her up. I just want her to fill out some.. not too fast or unhealthy.. but anything I can give her to help her along further.. I want to do it.
  
  Thanks…
- 08/29/2009 at 1:37 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  What kind of medication are you giving her and what is it for?
- 08/29/2009 at 1:42 PM
  QueSará
  Participant
  24 posts
  How much does she weigh right now, and what is her breed? It’s normal to feel a rabbit’s backbone and ribs, so how do you know that she is underweight?
  
  How much are you feeding her in pellets and how old is she?
  
  Oats are not good for a rabbit, as they have too much fat in them. On a normal diet of 80-90% hay, supplemented with pellets and veggies, a rabbit should be a good normal weight. Otherwise, I would be concerned about a medical condition. If she isn’t eating, I would probably first look at the teeth and some other issues. How is her appetite also?
  
  (Sorry for all the questions! I just want to make sure that I’m giving you the best advice I can. =) )
- 08/29/2009 at 4:45 PM
  Aminah Undone
  Participant
  84 posts
  She’s on Bactrim and Metacam. Actually, I am not giving her the Metacam anymore… she’s eating fine and her teeth don’t seem to be bothering her. (She had them filed when she first arrived in the rescue.. and some are loose.. so she’ll have that taken care of when she goes in for spay.. after delivery.) My Vet didn’t prescribe the Bactrim ..the rescue’s Vet did… so I guess it’s for RI, etc. I don’t recall what the reason was, but she’s on it for 3 weeks/2x daily.
- 08/29/2009 at 4:49 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  Is she pregnant?
- 08/29/2009 at 5:00 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  Okay, I found your introduction post that she is a rescue and is pregnant :~) I would say because she has been through so much to keep her diet as consistent as possible and not make any changes at this time. How much pellets are you giving her?
- 08/29/2009 at 6:13 PM
  QueSará
  Participant
  24 posts
  If she is pregnant, you should give her unlimited access to food, as she is feeding herself and her babies. I would give her unlimited pellets and hay until she gives birth.
- 08/29/2009 at 6:53 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  I’m not familiar with calf manna but a quick search reveals is it marketed for rabbits also. This however does not mean it is good or safe for them. Maybe ask you vet on that one? I would be fairly careful not to switch up her diet too much. Her current one sounds good for her condition. You could maybe add so alfalfa hay to the timothy also.
- 08/29/2009 at 7:56 PM
  Aminah Undone
  Participant
  84 posts
  I am giving her a 1/2 c. of pellets, at least, 2x a day. If she empties her bowl, I put another 1/2 c. in it. She’s got hay around the clock.. mostly alfalfa, but some oat and timothy in there, as well. I make her a salad from different greens in my garden.. all acceptable for her.. and organic (it’s my tortoise’s edible enclosure) …so she’s getting plenty to eat.
  
  I use the Calf Manna as a treat for my other furry kids.. the Chins and Cavy, that is… and that’s probably what I’ll do with Bella.. once she’s completely settled in. The Chins, especially, think it’s a treat ..they love the strong anise smell
- 08/31/2009 at 8:35 AM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  I think what your feeding her is a perfect weight gain plan-young bunny pellets have more calories and so does alfalfa hay. And I agree-you don’t want to change the diet too much and upset her tummy-it’s easy to do with bunnies! You could try introducing a baby carrot or three-those are high calorie and can help add weight on, and most bunnies tolerate them well
- 08/31/2009 at 5:40 PM
  KytKattin
  Participant
  1195 posts
  Aren’t certain types of hay high in calories as well? Like Wheat and Oat? Alfalfa too.
- 08/31/2009 at 5:50 PM
  Aminah Undone
  Participant
  84 posts
  Oat hay is in her mix, now (1 part Oat, 1 part Timothy, 2 parts Alfalfa) …and oats are supposedly high in fat, so I assume the hay is high caloric value, as well. I give her a few beet greens and about 2″ of a regular carrot with her daily salad, so she’s getting those higher calorie foods.
  
  In just a week, I can really tell the difference between “bones about to poke through her skin” ..and “noticeable bone structure”. She’s improving very nicely, I think. I’m so glad.. and so relieved!
- 09/01/2009 at 8:16 AM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  Aren’t certain types of hay high in calories as well? Like Wheat and Oat? Alfalfa too.
  
  I really *should* know this-but I’m not entirely sure. I believe only alfalfa hay is the one to be avoided in older rabbits because of it’s high calorie content. All other hays, timothy, brome, oat, orchard grass etc etc are OK to give. BUT I’m not 105% sure I could be wrong.
  
  In just a week, I can really tell the difference between “bones about to poke through her skin” ..and “noticeable bone structure”. She’s improving very nicely, I think. I’m so glad.. and so relieved!
  
  It’s hard not to force butter down their mouths when your trying to fatten up a neglected animal!!! I know But the best safest way to do it is how you are-slowly
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