We don’t normally recommend rolled oats, but I do know many bunnies get them, esp bunnies that live outside in the winter and need extra energy. GI problems would be the thing to worry about, the extra calories should not be a problem with a young growing bunny, they need richer food than adult bunnies. If he eats plenty of hay, I think he’ll be fine since he’s been used to getting rolled oats from a very young age. But I can’t like really recommend it, I have no scientific basis for my assumption, I’ve just read anecdotal evidence on various websites. Generally grain is not recommended for bunnies, but then again most bunny pellets do contain some grain.

Too much is likely to cause sticky butt.

They aren’t good for bunnies. Probably won’t kill them, but they aren’t good. It’s like feeding them potato chips. They cause bunnies to gain weight, so they are used sometimes for outdoor bunnies or bunnies that REALLY need to gain weight.

Very starchy. Could disrupt the balance in the belly – hence – sticky butt. 3 of my bunnies could handle it, 1 couldn’t. I don’t’ give my bunnies starchy foods. Generally not recommended.

It is when they are young that you have the best chance at establishing good dietary habits and a super-healthy sturdy bacterial flora, so I think you should gradually go off the oats. LBJ and Vanessa are absolutely right about it not being a bunny-appropriate food, in those cases when oat is fed (outdoors buns in winter, sickly bunnies that need to regain weight etc), it should be whole oats, not rolled. I’m sorry that I wasn’t clear. I still think a growing bunny can make use of the extra protein and starch in the oats, but it’s the healthy bacterial flora that you want to build up in the gut that may suffer. And for a bunny, the good bacteria in their guts are key to their health.

So the best thing is if you taper out the oats, don’t just stop since any drastic changes can cause tummy trouble. There will be plenty of other good things for him to have as treats when he becomes a little older. I know it’s hard to resist a pleading bunny, but it’s in his best interest, it really is.

Hello my bunny is 7 years old has had a lot of trouble with tooth abscess has gone off his hay and green vegetables, I’m feeding him critical care food, someone suggested rolled oats soaked in water, is this ok for me to feed him,? he has lot a little bit of weight. Also another suggestion was to mash up pumpkin in the critical care food, is this ok.

Thank you
Rob

Hi Rob!
I’m sorry you are going through this with your rabbit. I think that in your case, rolled oats with water would be fine. Critical care with mashed plain pumpkin is fine too. Buns often like oats and pumpkin a lot.

This is an old thread, and we ask members to not revive old threads. We’d be very happy to hear more about your rabbit, and it’d be great if you start a thread of your own. You can do this here: https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/afv/post/aff/1/Default.aspx

I will lock this thread now. If you need assistance starting a new thread etc, please PM me or one of the other forum leaders!