Are oat hay tops high cal?

[JackRabbit]

We normally brush our bunnies while they eat their salads and lately have been giving them some oat hat/oat hay tops right afterward to buy a little more grooming time. In the past week I’ve noticed that all three are looking a little heavier. It could just be that their summer coat has come in after a heavy spring shed, but the lops faces are looking chubbier and even Kieko is looking like she has filled out some. I did up Kieko’s pellets a little because she was looking downright thin to me, but the lops’ pellets haven’t changed. The only thing that has changed is adding the oat hay (which they think is the best thing in the world). Could three oat hay tops apiece plus some oat hay “leaves” (peeled stems) have too many calories? The only other thing I can think of would be the heat — it’s been really hot and humid here but their rooms are always between 68 and 70 degrees and the ceiling fan is run during the day. Their activity level during evening playtime hasn’t changed.

[Avantika]

This article say something about oat, barley, wheat and rye grass/hay being cereal hays and thus having more starch and/or calories as compared to the timothy, orchard grasses. http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/3921/

[LittlePuffyTail]

I had bought some oat hay tops to sprinkle on hay as a treat and the label says “great for adult bunnies needing extra nourishment and calories”. So I guess that’s your answer.

[JackRabbit]

Thanks to both of you. Guess now ai know why my bunnies are looking a little chubby, and why they are like crazy buns when I have the box of oat hay out! They literally try repeatedly to climb in the box! Guess oat hay tops will be an occasional treat only.

[Author]

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