Apple twigs and cardboard

[ButtersBear]

My rabbit has ALWAYS loved chewing on cardboard, but a little less than 3 weeks ago he had an episode of stasis, so I’ve practically eliminated his access to cardboard and have been giving him apple twigs (from an organic farm, non-treated) to chew on instead.  He LOVES them, and I’m pretty sure he could eat a whole tree if I left it out for him to find.  Does anyone else’s bun love apple twigs and is there a limit on how much I can give him?

Since the stasis episode I’ve also 1) reduced his pellet intake – he used to be getting about 1/4 cup and now he’s getting 1/8 cup per day, divided in 2 feedings and 2) upped his fresh green veggies and he’s also going through a lot more timothy hay (probably since he’s less full on pellets).  His poops are much bigger than even before he was sick! I think this new post-stasis diet may have to be more permanent.  So, his poops aren’t an issue.

He’s currently getting 2 pencil-sized apple twigs per day.  He eats the bark off, but on the twigs that are a little thinner he may eat the whole twig.  Can I give him more?  Anyone with apple twig expertise?  Would appreciate the input! 

[Bam]

I don’t have any formal expertise, but I do give my buns lots of apple twigs. Same as with your buns small twigs can get eaten whole, the bigger twigs just get the bark stripped off (with amazing precision). I have never had access to enough twigs to be able to over-feed, so I don’t know the limit. I’d primarly limit the smaller ones that get eaten whole since they add a bit of wood to the diet, for a bun that’s been in stasis I think the bark is safer. If I can I give my buns a couple of twigs every day. This last month I’ve had ample access, because people have been pruning their trees. (My own trees get pruned all year round due to my munch-monsters’ never-ending desire for twigs).

If you can get willow from somewhere, that’s excellent for bunnies too. With or without leaves.

The increase in hay intake is just so super-great, that’s the road to excellent gut health. A bun that eats lots of hay has a greater tolerance for everything else in the diet.

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