A few diet questions for my foster boys

[AbbyGirl]

So I’ve had Rhine for a week now.  He was getting unlimited timothy hay, 1/2-1 cup of pellets, some romaine lettuce and small treats everyday.  I haven’t weighed him but he’s not that big.  I’m pretty sure he’s around 5 lbs.  He seems a little round for his frame though.  So going by the HRS guidelines he should be getting 1/4-1/2 cup of pellets.  I’ve been giving him 1/2 cup and he’s fine with that.  I also give him 2 or 3 leaves of romaine lettuce since that’s all he’s use to getting.  I don’t give him many treats.  A few craisins or a small slice of apple.

Should I decrease his pellets some more?  What is another veggie I can try that safer?  I want to be careful with his tummy. 

I’m getting Horton tonight.  He’s a Hotot mix.  She said he is smaller in size than Rhine but just as heavy. (5-6 lbs)  She says he’s chucky! lol.  She also said he does not do well with any veggies.  Even at his previous home fresh foods make his tummy act up.  So I thought I’d give him just hay and pellets as to noy upset that.  She said he gets a heaping 1/4 cup of pellets. 

I want to make sure that I give him a good enough diet.  Is a 1/4 cup of pellets and unlimited hay enough for him?

Thanks for your help!

[Sarita]

I don’t think he looked too round to me. I think that 1/2 a cup though should be adequate – definitely better than a full cup – is he a good hay eater? I would try maybe some curly parsley for him.

Many rabbits live fine on hay and pellets. Hopefully Horton will be a very good hay eater. I think you are better to continue his current diet since they said he was sensitive to veggies. Wonder if he’s a bit overweight too. Hopefully some activity will slim him down.

[mocha200]

Please post pics as soon as you get him!

I would reduce his pellets slowly to 1/4 cup but thats just me. I give my 6 1/2 lb. buns 1/4 cup. so thats just what i would suggest. but if you want to lower the pellets I would give him more veggies.

[AbbyGirl]

I just wanted to make sure I was giving them the healthiest diet I could. I didn’t agree with how they fed Hugo. I know they can’t afford veggies for over 30 rabbit everyday.

I was told that Horton wasn’t a very big hay eater. Maybe that’s why he’s, as they say, chunky. Maybe he’ll like the orchard better and I’ll stick to the 1/4 cup of pellets. Without veggies I wanted to make sure that was good enough for him.

I’ll try some parsley with Rhine and see how he does. Should I give him a small sprig of it one day and add slowly from there? It would be nice to give him fewer pellets. I thought 1/2 cup was too much for his size. Especially 1 cup would be too much.

[mocha200]

my buns LOVE parsley. I am glad because its cheep!

[Sarita]

I think a few sprigs would be a good start.

Shelters are pretty limited on what they can feed so the pellet and hay diet is not uncommon. It is usually a matter of money and they probably don’t have the a fridge to store veggies either.

[AbbyGirl]

I totally understand. So I’ll spoil them while they’re here with me.

[Sarita]

It’s hard not to :~)

[Author]

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