Breeder said bunny doesnt need vegetables?

[Roseelizabeth]

I bought my rabbit 2 wks old from a breeder on craigslist. He claimed she would only need a small cage, pellets, and hay. He claimed that she was breeded specifically so she wouldnt need a large area or vegetables or anything, and that these things could actually HARM her!

Well after researching online, I worried, so I put a small cage inside a large pen, she loves the large pen though! (Contrary to what he claimed.)

She is 3 months old or so now. She has never ate vegetables, Im scared to feed them to her after what he said. But I read everywhere that they need them for a healthy diet…

What should I do?

[tobyluv]

Greens and vegetables are the second most important component in a rabbit’s diet. Hay is first of course. Since your rabbit is now 3 months old, you could start trying some greens. The way to start with greens is to offer one new one a week. You can try a different one the following week, and so on. This way, you can find the veggies that your rabbit really likes and ones that she doesn’t like as much. You have to start slowly and not overload their systems with new food. Otherwise, you could cause a stomach upset. Romaine lettuce or cilantro would be good greens to try first.

Here are 2 links with good info on the best greens and fruit (small quantities only) for a rabbit.

http://rabbit.org/suggested-vegetables-and-fruits-for-a-rabbit-diet/

https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/VeggieList/tabid/144/Default.aspx

Rabbits need a cage or pen that is large enough (at least 2 feet by 4 feet), plus they need out of cage time every day for play and exercise – in a bunny proofed room, of course. Those small cage sold in pet stores are not at all adequate for a rabbit’s needs. If you go to the BUNNY INFO link at the top of the page, you will see a section devoted to rabbit housing, with pictures of various set-ups.

[sarahthegemini]

Wow, the breeder sounds terribly uninformed. That’s scary. And do you mean you bought your bunny two weeks ago or you bought her when she was two weeks old? He bred so that she’d specifically not need a lot of space or vegetables? How did he do that exactly? :-/

He sounds like a div. Please do not listen to anything this guy says.

[LBJ10]

From a breeder’s point of view, no bunny needs veggies. Why? Because they cost money, which hurts their bottomline. It’s sad, but breeders make their money breeding animals and selling them. Not feeding them an ideal diet. Now why would he tell people the bunnies are bred to not eat veggies? That’s simple really. They want their “product” to appear to be an inexpensive pet. That way they can sell more.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I feel bad for the bunnies in his care.

[sarahthegemini]

Is there anyway he can be reported? If he’s making his breeding bunnies live in tiny cages and without a proper diet, that is neglect. It’s sickening. Not to mention misinforming anyone that buys his bunny babies. What an awful person

[LittlePuffyTail]

sarah- sadly, to way too many people, including animal control, that is okay. There are no laws against housing bunnies in a small space and that they should receive proper diet. As long as they are given food, water and shelter, they are breaking no laws.

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By LittlePuffyTail on 1/29/2017 6:46 PM

sarah- sadly, to way too many people, including animal control, that is okay. There are no laws against housing bunnies in a small space and that they should receive proper diet. As long as they are given food, water and shelter, they are breaking no laws.

That is heartbreaking

[Author]

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