Brambles diet update

[Lagomorpheus]

Week 4 of Brambles’ all-hay diet to correct his soft stool (ISS) problem. He hasn’t made a ‘mess’ in 3 days, so I expect to be reintegrating veggies back into his diet one-by-one…wish us both the best of luck. He’ll never eat commercial food pellets again. I’m also going to be chopping up his veggies to prevent him from his picky-eating-habits of only eating the stems off all the veggies and not eating the leaves.

It has been a heartbreaking process to watch him get excited when the other buns get fed and then act confused at why he didn’t get any, and then just defeatedly go to the hay basket and eat hay instead…He was always the most excited out of everyone to be fed veggies, so it hurts me that much more to take them away from him…I just have to constantly remind myself that it’s for his (and our, the humans’) best interests. I’m also concerned about the mental and emotional impact being denied his favorite foods while his family all eats must have on him.

He has lost some weight since starting the diet. He wasn’t overwieght to begin with, and I hate feeling how bony he feels when I pet him. The vet says that he wont go underweight as long as he has unlimited quantities of hay, so I try not to worry. I hope none of you ever have to experience this! We got him like this from the shelter, who told us that he wasn’t eating very much hay. That was, of course, because they gave him unlimited quantities of pellets to eat…Those shelters are horrible about giving the ‘bits a proper diet… 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I just went through this lago. It was sooo sad, not only the weight loss but her wanting her pellets. She’s started to put weight back on and we’ve had a dry bum for a week. Try offering some alfalfa hay with the other hay to put some weight on…If you like of course!

[babybunsmum]

awww    that would be tough to do.  my buns go bonkers for their 1/4 cup of pellets & their salad in the morning.  they do leave the pellets as soon as i come in with the salad though, so i can imagine how much brambles will be tickled pink just to get some veg back.  baby bun was feeling a little boney before too dispite being normal with eating & pooping… i have to agree with you… its disconcerting.

(((head pets to brambles)))  hang in there sweet bun…  your veggies are coming soon and you can put some healthy weight back on!

[MarkBun]

Yup, went through it with Georgie too. She got so upset about not having her doritos and cheese that she would flip her veggie plate and sit on it. The look when she smelled pizza was almost crushing.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

ROTFL !!!!

[MarkBun]

Wish I was kidding. Georgie’s favorite food was pizza. Momma knows better now.

[Sarita]

It is hard isn’t it! I’m glad you are persevering though and he’s getting better.

[Gravehearted]

it’s so tough making big changes when your bunny obviously is missing the other stuff. but it’s more than worth it, when you consider his tummy is doing so much better. i hope he’ll continue to do well as you start adding in veggies.

[BinkyBunny]

AWE, poor thing! And poor you to have to watch him not get his pelllets. I sort of know what it’s like. Been through it with Bailey, I just would pet and offer affection while they were eating. It was still sad though because she would keep searching my hands for food – eventually she would settle down and relax with affection.

[Lagomorpheus]

Brambles has now been eating chopped parsley for 2 days with no poopy paws!! Tonight I add watercress to his diet…wish us continued good luck.

[babybunsmum]

yay for parsley!  my fingers are crossed that the watercress goes over just as well  ((((((brambles))))))

[babybunsmum]

having troubles posting to other threads… sorry to interrupt on your thread lago but this is the only place i’ve been abel to post successfully all day.  keep getting “unhandled error” page.  is this on my end or is anyone else having troubles posting today too?

[apanda]

I kept getting that too! it seems to be working now though…

[babybunsmum]

lagomorpheus… i was curious, is there a reason you’re trying watercress next? 

[Lagomorpheus]

No, no reason. It’s just what’s been on my bun’s menu as of late since it was the greenest, freshest looking veggie at the market for the past month next to the Parsley. Parsley is always a staple, but the other two veggies in their diet are usually phased in and out over the months for a little variety (without upsetting anybun’s stomachs of course).

[Author]

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