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FORUM DIET & CARE Confused on what to feed

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    • babybella
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        I just got a new baby bunny (she’s about 3 months old), and the more research I do the more stressed I am about what to feed her! I had rabbits years ago, and we fed them nothing but alfalfa pellets. Don’t judge too harshly though – that was before the internet, and I simply didn’t know any better! But now I realize that’s why they all had digestive issues, my favorite one was sickly and had diarrhea almost constantly, and died after just a few years. It was very sad and I don’t want to make the same mistakes again, but it’s difficult because there are so many drastically different opinions out there. I’ve read everything from “feed 3-4 cups of leafy greens per day” to “never give your rabbit lettuce.” The only consensus seems to be that rabbits should have unlimited access to grass hay. Other than that, can you all give me some help as to which information is the most accurate, and what I need to be feeding my bunny to keep her happy and healthy? Thanks!!


      • Megabunny
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          Aww. Try not to stress. I don’t even know if Timothy pellets were easily available years ago. I get in on these conversations without having much to add, but here I go:

          while there is probably something on this forum about diet, I’ve printed off a lot from the house rabbit society. It tells what ages to feed what. I believe you don’t give fruit till they are 7 months, so hold off on that. Slow and easy on the other stuff. Seems like a good time of year to give dandelions a try first. Just try to avoid the dirt, and maybe wash them before feeding. It’s a good way to get more water into them, and hopefully help get rid of any bugs… At least it makes me feel better. Apple branches and leaves are yummy! I count them as greens, not fruits. There’s also information on, like, giving plenty of certain veggies and not too much of others. I wonder how many people actually meet the recommended amount of veggies in a day, especially in the winter months, so I think you’ll be ok. Listen to what they say, and take away from it what works for you. There are some amazing breeders out there ( honest!) and they feed very differently from what we on BB do, and their rabbits are gorgeous and healthy too. Plus different bunnies do better on certain foods or have different food preferences. One of mine likes certain lettuces more than another. That’s the fun of knowing YOUR rabbit best. No one can tell you perfectly what to do. There are fabulous guidelines that will tell you mostly what to do, but you will tweak it over time to fit your baby’s needs. Enjoy!


        • LongEaredLions
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            The diet for your bunny should consist of unlimited alfalfa pellets and hay, as well as small amounts of vegetables. When she becomes six months, you should transition her on to Timothy hay and limited Timothy pellets, and 2-3 cups of vegetables of vegetables per day per 6 lbs of body weight. Rabbits should be fed vegetables, but never iceberg lettuce, as it is mainly water and has almost no nutritional value.
            Here’s a link to the HRS safe foods list: http://rabbit.org/suggested-vegetables-and-fruits-for-a-rabbit-diet/
            And another explaining diet more thoroughly: http://rabbit.org/faq-diet/


          • Mocha
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              Here’s a link I found helpful.

              http://www.larabbits.org/rabbit-care/diet/


            • Peony
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                Posted By babybella on 5/26/2014 1:49 AM

                I just got a new baby bunny (she’s about 3 months old), and the more research I do the more stressed I am about what to feed her! I had rabbits years ago, and we fed them nothing but alfalfa pellets. Don’t judge too harshly though – that was before the internet, and I simply didn’t know any better! But now I realize that’s why they all had digestive issues, my favorite one was sickly and had diarrhea almost constantly, and died after just a few years. It was very sad and I don’t want to make the same mistakes again, but it’s difficult because there are so many drastically different opinions out there. I’ve read everything from “feed 3-4 cups of leafy greens per day” to “never give your rabbit lettuce.” The only consensus seems to be that rabbits should have unlimited access to grass hay. Other than that, can you all give me some help as to which information is the most accurate, and what I need to be feeding my bunny to keep her happy and healthy? Thanks!!

                Well I am not sure on the exact age maybe 6 months? is when pellets get very limited (treat food) so the conflicting information you might be seeing is the baby and adult bunny difference. Also for the no lettuce comment there might be a confusion that it was talking about iceberg lettuce, not all types.


              • babybella
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                  Thank you for all the advice! It’s good to know that different bunnies do well on different diets, that’s definitely a relief. I will try to follow as many of the recommendations as I can, and see what works for us. Thanks!!

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              FORUM DIET & CARE Confused on what to feed