Are uneaten cecals ok when trying to put on weight?

[Brambino]

Hi everyone

Bramble has a diet of unlimited Timothy hay and Rye grass, a small amount of kale or other green leafy veg, and approximately an egg cup of junior pellets.

She has access to alfalfa hay but has gone off this and now won’t eat it. She is 5 months old. Her appetite is very good, although some days she is less interested in her hay than others. She recently had a bit of a growth spurt and feels a lot sharper on her bones. She hasn’t lost any weight (she’s 850g – a nethie) but feels like she needs a little more padding.

Are more pellets ok when trying to get her a little rounder? She has always reacted with excess cecals if she eats more than an egg cup of pellets.

Any fattening up advice would be great, thank you

[jerseygirl]

How about adding some adult pellets in with the others and gradually increasing that way? Some rabbits just don’t tolerate the junior pellets at all but do fine on adult ones, even though they are young. What brand pellets are you feeding? I know that Burgess Excel sometimes causes messy poo for some rabbits. It’s a good brand, just not the right one for some bunnies.

p.s. It’s not unusual for junior rabbits to look a little lean.

[Brambino]

Thanks, Jerseygirl! I will try and slowly add adult pellets. Yes, she’s on excel Junior and dwarf so that may be the culprit. I know everyone here swears by oxbow pellets but they’re a bit more difficult to get hold of in the UK. I can try the hay experts I think. Is it the oxbow essentials or natural science?

Thank you in advance!

[Brambino]

Also, appreciate knowing it’s a junior thing she’s not lost any weight and still has her appetite so I’m not worried, but she just feels so bony now!

[jerseygirl]

I’m not really certain which pellet is the better. Oxbow isn’t readily available here either. Though it is becoming more so.
Supreme Science Selective is another that rabbits have transitioned to well when burgess was too rich for them.
But even the burgess adult might do the trick.

[Brambino]

Thanks, Jerseygirl. I’ll try hay experts for oxbow but if not I think they have selective science at P@H so I’ll give it go

Really appreciate the advice x

[LBJ10]

I agree with JG. Young bunnies can look a bit lanky. They usually fill out after they are done growing. In smaller breeds, this can begin sooner. I think Wooly started filling out when he was 9 months old, but wasn’t finished until he was a year old.

Extra cecals are not uncommon in young bunnies, especially when they are on a rich diet. It doesn’t hurt to start switching to an adult pellet, as JG suggested. If you’re interested in trying Oxbow, the Essentials Adult formula is fine.

[Brambino]

Hi everyone

Thank you for all of the responses. Bramble is now on unlimited Oxbow pellets. She’s not overly keen on the taste though!  

I added a little bit to her usual serving each day and no mucky bum so I’ve made the switch! She still has access to Alfalfa hay and still doesn’t bother with it. 

Quick question and i presume this is related to the change…  

She has recently been quieter than usual. Since i made the change, she is more content to stay flopped out on the sofa with us for a good hour or two, rather than explore. She seems ok in herself and still has a mad 10 minutes but has lost her hyperactivity. I dont know if this is her becoming more comfortable with us (after 3 months) or a cause for concern. Is this a good thing or a sign she hasn’t got enough energy?

Im extra concerned as she has her spay on 29th April so would like her to be fighting fit! (any tips for this would also be appreciated! – Bag of nerves!)

If anyone has any ideas it would really be appreciated!

Thank you  

[Brambino]

This was her for 2 hours on Sunday morning…

[jerseygirl]

omg just found this pic. AHhhhhhhhhh!!! That’s so adorable.

[Brambino]

Haha thanks, Jerseygirl. I think she was just going through a growth spurt. She’s spent the whole fortnight sleeping and growing lots! Her body shape has really changed and she looks more grown up now. 6 months now and a real Terror lol

[Author]

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