Best pellet food for our bunny

[Moxie]

Currently our bunny Penelope is eating Kaytee brand fortified pellet food. We were wondering what people thought about this brand in general? She mostly sticks to her hay and periodically nibbles her pellets throughout the day. We know that pellet food should only consist of about 20 percent of her diet and she is thriving perfectly well. I am giving her approximately 1/2 scoop in her bowl each morning and check it through out the day to make sure the bowl is free of debris (she’s a bit messy haha) and changing the bowl out with fresh food as needed. It is mostly untouched and I throw it out in the morning to replace it with fresh food, whether it looks old or not. I wouldn’t want to eat old food, so why would she, right? She is approximately 71/2 – 11 1/2 weeks old. (There has been some confusion about her age.) The point is that I am wasting money on the brand if she doesn’t like it and we’re hoping for some recommendations of other brands of rabbit food that your rabbits seem to enjoy. We are new bunny owners and know not to buy what we have been referring to as bunny junk food or to give her treats that might spoil her appetite and her digestive system at her age.  What do you guys think? What is the best brand for our bun?

[bunnluff]

I use Oxbow Bunny Basics T for adult rabbits. Been using it for years. I think most people here might recommend the same thing.

[Judie]

As far as my research has gone, the only pellet which does not contain GMO SOY MOLASSES and wheat and synthetic vitamins and minerals ,none of which are good for buns, is Sherwood Forest. My bun had gut issues for years until I got the free sample at Sherwood. They give you 2 pounds free to try and within 24 hrs my ND’s gut was full and his droppings round and fluffy and fiber filled. He does not eat hay and has not for years( another story)
If you’re interested in trying their free sample I’d strongly recommend it.
And if you use oxbow only use the Organic, the BBT contains a LOT of GMOS and is eventually gut trouble. Sherwood also uses chelated organic vitamins minerals and 2 omega oils so it’s hay, omega 3 and 6 oils and vitamins, that’s it! And more fresh, no storage, Each order is made to go.
If you click this link the landing page has the free offer about the 3rd paragraph down.
https://www.naturalrabbitfood.com/31.html
Judie

[Beka27]

We’re an Oxbow house here. It’s a tried and true brand. I don’t have any experience with Sherwood so I can’t speak to that brand.

Pellets are actually supposed to only make up about 5% of the diet, but young buns can have more while they’re still growing.

[MoveDiagonally]

Some good brands/pellets for adult rabbits are:
Oxbow Essentials Adult, Oxbow BeneTera, Oxbow Natural Science, Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Adult, Kaytee Timothy Complete Adult, Zupreem Timothy Naturals, Zupreem Nature’s Promise, Sweet Meadows Timothy Pellets, Sherwood Maintenance, and American Pet Diner Timmy Rabbit. Purina Fiber3 Rabbit Chow is also alright but I think the others mentioned are better options.

Generally speaking I think young rabbits can do well on most plain pellets. You can transition to adult pellets whenever you want to but the usual age is 6-7 months. This is about the time you start limiting pellets as well. I personally feed Oxbow and love it! My five have done really well with it.

[Rufus]

I use Oxbow too! A lot of people on here talk about their bunnies wolfing down pellets every chance they get but my bun has never really been that keen, even when I got him at 8 weeks old. My vet thinks this isn’t a bad thing in the long run because it means that he’s keeping at a really healthy weight and I don’t have to worry about overeating. He says as long as there are pellets available, the bun will eat what it needs. That made me a lot less stressed!

Make sure if you do switch brands that you do it nice and slowly so her tummy has time to adjust. She’s very cute!

[Sindri]

I mix my pellets. I use Oxbow benne terra organic and Kaytee alfalfa free timothy complete. The rabbits like the Kaytee pellets. My baby kilala didn’t like the oxbow so I think I will just stick to the Kaytee. I have gotten a free 2lb sample of the Sherwood forest formula for baby rabbits. You can get that for your rabbit. It does seem to be a good pellet too.

[Moxie]

Posted By Judie on 11/11/2013 08:12 PM

As far as my research has gone, the only pellet which does not contain GMO SOY MOLASSES and wheat and synthetic vitamins and minerals ,none of which are good for buns, is Sherwood Forest. My bun had gut issues for years until I got the free sample at Sherwood. They give you 2 pounds free to try and within 24 hrs my ND’s gut was full and his droppings round and fluffy and fiber filled. He does not eat hay and has not for years( another story)
If you’re interested in trying their free sample I’d strongly recommend it.
And if you use oxbow only use the Organic, the BBT contains a LOT of GMOS and is eventually gut trouble. Sherwood also uses chelated organic vitamins minerals and 2 omega oils so it’s hay, omega 3 and 6 oils and vitamins, that’s it! And more fresh, no storage, Each order is made to go.
If you click this link the landing page has the free offer about the 3rd paragraph down.
https://www.naturalrabbitfood.com/31.html
Judie

         I checked out the Sherwood site today and the reviews were pretty great! It might be worth ordering the free sample and giving it a shot. Otherwise if Penelope doesn’t like it I guess we will get the Oxbow. Any thoughts about which type we should try? She hasn’t ever had alfalfa and is currently on the adult formula. We are currently feeding her the Kaytee fortified (supreme) since that is what they were feeding her before, which I believe is a timothy based pellet food. She is a bit round from being in a pet store with very little exercise , so I am unsure about trying the alfalfa. Although, she is exercising quite a bit now and might need the richer food? Thoughts?

[Moxie]

Posted By Sindriona on 11/12/2013 08:57 AM

I mix my pellets. I use Oxbow benne terra organic and Kaytee alfalfa free timothy complete. The rabbits like the Kaytee pellets. My baby kilala didn’t like the oxbow so I think I will just stick to the Kaytee. I have gotten a free 2lb sample of the Sherwood forest formula for baby rabbits. You can get that for your rabbit. It does seem to be a good pellet too.

          Thanks for the info! I checked out the Sherwood and the green of the pellet looks amazing. It also seems like a good formula that they are using so I am going to give it a shot with Penelope. Hopefully my bun will like it

[bunnluff]

I wouldn’t rely on an alfalfa pellet long term. Alfalfa is very rich and I only feed the hay to my rabbits once in a while as a treat.

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