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Forum DIET & CARE 6 week old rabbit diet?

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    • Alisha
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        I just got a rabbit last week and the lady said she had her on pellets and veggies. Online it says they’re too young to eat veggies before 12 weeks but it also says they need consistency so I started out slowly giving her a few spring mix leaves here and there. Then an apple slice. Then eventually had her try a freeze dried banana (organic). Her body seems to react fine to all these things and I’m wondering what  normal diet should be like for her? 

        I added in hay of course, especially since I litter trained her. It’s been alfalfa mainly but I started mixing in half orchard grass hay. She seems to favor the orchard grass hay a lot more so she might be off of alfalfa sooner than I thought. Maybe at least give her alfalfa pellets for a while longer. Since I know they need alfalfa while they’re this young. 

        The past couple of days I decided to give her small handfuls of leafy greens in the morning and then at night. with a small slice of apple in the middle of the day. With unlimited pellets (for now) and hay. 

        What do you guys think and does anyone have advice or is knowledgeable on bunnies this young? I didn’t find much online. 

        Also I have no idea what her breed is. I was guessing rex or mini rex but maybe she’s not. Anyone’s input would be great. Thanks


      • Wick & Fable
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          1) Completely disregard pretty everything the lady told you. Based on her diet advice alone, it’s clear she is not well educated on young rabbit care, so start at blank slate. Additionally, you should not receive a rabbit that’s less than 8 weeks old as a general rule because they are too young to be separated from their mother, so it was irresponsible for the lady to give you the rabbit in the first place so early.

          2) When rabbits are young, especially as young as yours is, they are developing their gut biome, which is going to get filled with different bacteria and enzymes which are used to break down the food they consume. Because it’s still in develop, feeding veggies and fruit is highly discouraged. Although the rabbit may go bonkers for it, introduction of those foods when the bacteria in their gut it not developed enough to receive and break it down properly leads to gas, digestion issues, and general health issues. For rabbits, of any age, gas and stomach upset can lead to a discontinuation of eating and pooping, and this is a very prominent sign of GI stasis – a very tragic, sudden killer of rabbits. I’d remove all veggies and fruits/treats, and just stick with hay and alfalfa pellets. Removal of veggies will not tamper with the gut biome (it will flourish), but continuous exposure of varieties can cause issues.

          3) Unlimited pellets is fine for now, but rather than giving an unlimited presentation, I’d make it two or three presentations in a day, so your rabbit is encouraged to eat hay. Hay should make up the vast majority of a rabbit’s stomach contents, because it helps maintain and clean the gut. Having access to pellets all the time dissuades rabbits from eating as much hay as they should. “Unlimited” pellets doesn’t actually mean unlimited. It just means do not limit it only to 1/8 – 1/4cup a day, which is the standard for adult rabbits (6mo and older).

          Welcome to BB! Your images are broken, but I’m sure she’s a cutie. Also keep in mind SHE can very well be a HE potentially. Sexing rabbits so young is really a gamble.

          The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.


        • Deleted User
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            Wick explained everything in great detail, so the only thing I have to add is spaying. Get her spayed. Unspayed females have a high risk for reproductive cancers by the time they are 3-4 years old, which will need to be removed through an emergency spay, if it doesn’t kill them. Unspayed females can also have stressful false pregnanices and become aggressive and territorial when hormones kick in.


          • Alisha
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              Oh I’ve researched rabbits for months before I got her so I do know a lot. As soon as she’s old enough, I will get her spayed. And I also read that if the baby starts eating veggies really young, then its best to not make sudden changes to their diet so that’s why i was trying to do a little. Her body seems fine, her poop seems fine, shes super happy so I’ll probably just keep it simple as it is and take her to the vet if anything seems off but yeah.. sorry not sure why the images were broken.

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              Image and video hosting by TinyPic
              Image and video hosting by TinyPic
              Image and video hosting by TinyPic 

              So do you really think it’d literally be better to take her off greens for good for now? I feel like she’s really attached to the greens/veggies.. I only give her a little to be careful but yeah. I read somewhere that they munch on whatever the mom is eating anyway so apparently it’s not supposed to be a big deal.


            • Wick & Fable
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                If you keep it as simple as possible and a very small amount, that’s negligible. I was speaking precautionary as I’m sure you’ve seen and read stories of people loading up baby buns with all kinds of veggies. Wick got romaine lettuce daily when quite young because it was a means of medication consumption, so I definitely know it’s not dangerous. Stick with what you have if there has been no ill effects, but yes, keep it simple and don’t try to introduce anymore.

                The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.


              • Bam
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                  She is a cutie! She’s looking very relaxed and comfy =)

                  Consistency is important, so I think it’s good you are giving her small amounts of greens, because she’s had that from when she was with her breeder. I’d hold off on the fruit though, but she can of course have small bits of fruit as a treat when she gets a little older. Keep a close eye on her poop – but then we always keep an eye on our buns’ poop, so that’s standard when you own a bunny =) Hay is the most important component of a bun’s diet, if she eats a good amount of hay, that will greatly help her develop a sound and well-balanced gut microbiome, and as Wick points out, that’s pretty much the basis for a healthy bunny life.

                  Good luck with your new girl and keep asking all questions that might pop up along the way!


                • Alisha
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                    Thank you all She’s been really good about eating hay. She’s actually been really good about using a litter box as well. I wonder if all buns are this easy or if I just got really lucky haha


                  • sarahthegemini
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                      Nothing else to add apart from saying how beautiful she is!


                    • LittlePuffyTail
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                        Ditto!!! What a beautiful little bun.

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                    Forum DIET & CARE 6 week old rabbit diet?