Changing Bunnies food to my new bunnies food

FORUM

What are we about? Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules.

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

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.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 12sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 9 months ago by LoveChaCha.

Viewing 12 reply threads

Author

Messages
- 05/24/2010 at 6:02 PM
  The Rabbit
  Participant
  183 posts
  any tips on going about this? The adoption place said to place two bowls in the bonding section one with one annd another with the other kind. Is this right? how long until he can eat her pellets safely? and another site mentioned maybe adding oatmeal, to minimize tummy problems?
- 05/24/2010 at 6:15 PM
  Nibbles_NZ
  Participant
  751 posts
  No, that is not right. You have to gradually switch your bunnies food. Week 1: Give him 3/4 of his pellets he is used to & 1/4 new pellets.
  Week 2: 1/2 his pellets 1/2 new pellets. Week 3: 1/4 his pellets 3/4 new pellets. Week 4: New pellets.
- 05/24/2010 at 6:16 PM
  Nibbles_NZ
  Participant
  751 posts
  Just make sure you mix in his pellets with the new pellets when you switch him so he can get used to the new taste too
- 05/24/2010 at 6:49 PM
  The Rabbit
  Participant
  183 posts
  Thanks! is it okay if he winds up eating a a few bites while in the bonding section, or should I keep the food separate?
  
  also, that measurement is for a day, right?
- 05/24/2010 at 7:53 PM
  Minty
  Participant
  338 posts
  I would avoid putting food in your bonding space for now. This could be a cause for fights or jealousy.
- 05/24/2010 at 8:46 PM
  Nibbles_NZ
  Participant
  751 posts
  No, that isn’t the measurement as far as cup size. When I said 3/4, I was saying 75% of the pellets you give them in one day. 1/2 50%, and 1/4 25%.The amount of pellets your rabbits get depends on thier age and wieght. Mine get unlimited pellets so I don’t really measure yet. They are only a few months old. They should get unlimited pellets until they are 7-12 months. It depends on when they are full grown. Some people switch from Alfalfa to Timothy pellets at that age also. How old are your rabbits and how much do they wiegh? If they are under 12 months and not over wieght I would feed them an unlimited amount of pellets. If they are older than 12 months I would feed them 1/4 cup of Timothy pellets for every 5 lbs of thier wieght. I agree with Sully too. I would not put any kind of food in the bonding area. Food is definetly something they would be territorial over.
- 05/25/2010 at 5:54 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  Oatmeal can actually cause tummy trouble, so don’t add it to the food. Nibbles was exactly right with how to slowly transition a bunny to new food. Your new bun is an adult right? So she can be moved to a good quality timothy pellet.
  
  Food can be useful later on in the bonding process… but not starting out.
- 05/25/2010 at 10:19 AM
  The Rabbit
  Participant
  183 posts
  Thanks guys. She was also saying 1/2 cup a day, and the vet had told me a while back 1/8. so of course, i’m getting mixed messages. Pixel is two and about 3 and a half pounds, Zelda is 1 and a half or a little bit older, and weighs 3 and a half to 4 pounds.
- 05/25/2010 at 10:21 AM
  The Rabbit
  Participant
  183 posts
  Posted By Beka27 on 05/25/2010 05:54 AM
  Oatmeal can actually cause tummy trouble, so don’t add it to the food. Nibbles was exactly right with how to slowly transition a bunny to new food. Your new bun is an adult right? So she can be moved to a good quality timothy pellet.
  
  Food can be useful later on in the bonding process… but not starting out.
  
  I learned that when I got her home, I set up the x-pen with food and such and then compeltely forgot to move the food when I put them together. That made for one unhappy Zelda.
- 05/25/2010 at 10:25 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  I wouldn’t do more than an 1/8th cup for her. It’s better to feed too few pellets than too many pellets. Worst case scenario if you feed too few… she eats more hay/greens to compensate. This is of course the desired outcome!
- 05/25/2010 at 12:00 PM
  Nibbles_NZ
  Participant
  751 posts
  I said 1/4 cup per 5 lbs. If your bunny wieghs only 3 lbs than you wouldn’t feed her that much. You will get mixed messages. lol. Our Vet says 1/4 Cup per 5 lbs while the House Rabbit Society says 1/2 Cup per 6 lbs. lol. I agree with Beka, you would rather feed too few pellets than too many. Too many will just make your bunny fat. You want the bulk of your bunnies diet to be Timmy Hay and Veggies.
- 05/26/2010 at 9:49 AM
  The Rabbit
  Participant
  183 posts
  Thanks! I’ll try the 1/8th cup, although it seems really little. if she’s hungry, she can eat the hay and such. Thanks for all the advice, i’ve never had two bunnies at once.
- 05/26/2010 at 9:51 AM
  LoveChaCha
  Participant
  6634 posts
  It does seem very little, but gradually decrease the pellets and add more hay and veggies I am in the process of doing that to my 3 pound dwarf rabbit. I worry that she’ll starve, but she is eating more hay.
Author

Messages

Viewing 12 reply threads

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.