Bunnies not eating pellets

[mzsunshine]

Ever since I got my bunnies, they’ve been eating this pellet called “lifelong combo”. I buy it from
This feed store, and so I have never seen the packaging. Someone at the store pointed it out to me when I told them it was recommended for them to eat pellets with 18% protein. I believe it may be this one http://king-brand.com/new/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=52&category_id=45&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=6
Sorry for the long explanation, what I’m trying to say is that they’ve always eaten this kind.

I noticed yesterday that it doesn’t seem like they’ve been eating the pellets. They are still eating hay and was very eager for their small cube of papaya treat, so I don’t believe they have no appetite… Has anyone had this happen before where their buns stopped eating something they’ve always eaten? I see them eat a few pellets and I saw buster using his paws to “dig” or pick through the pellets… I wonder if there’s an issue with the bag of food instead…

Any suggestions would be great, I’m worrying myself here at work!!

[Slowebot]

I would try to return the pellets and get more. Usually stores are understanding when you explain to them your animal refused to eat the food.

[Sarita]

That is possible – what is the rest of their diet like?

It might be a good idea to see if you can exchange it as Slowebot recommended as well.

[mzsunshine]

Thanks guys, yeah I’m thinking it could be the food since both of them aren’t eating it.. I called the feed store and they said nothing’s changed and they said it would be alright for me to change it.. Here’s hoping it works!

[LongEaredLions]

You may want to try something like oxbow instead, as you don’t know what this food contains. It is classified as a “show food” on the website, so it might not be appropriate for pet bunnies.

[Beka27]

Definitely sounds like it’s an “off-batch” of pellets. The pellets themselves may be perfectly fine, but since they are processed using hay, the hay changes resulting in a change of smell/flavor for the buns.

[mzsunshine]

Thanks for the suggestion on exchanging the pellets! The feed shop was was very accommodating and it was not an issue at all. I felt better immediately cos when I went home and changed out the pellets, they ate them!

However me feeling better was only temporary, although they did eat them when I first presented it to them, it’s still not at the same rate that they used to. Should I be concerned? Besides pellet consumption, they’re not acting odd. They’re still curious and running around doing bunny 500s, and flopping around. I just changed their litterbox today so I’m monitoring their poops closely.

The only thing that is keeping me sane is that they are still eating plenty of hay, and still begging for papaya.

And in response to LongEaredLions, I’ve been thinking about switching them over to Oxbow since a majority of the forum users give their buns that and recommend it, I’ll look into it once I feel better about this situation D: cos I wouldn’t be able to switch them over to oxbow gently if they won’t even eat their current pellets right?

I think Lola can tell I’m worried and flopped right in front of me.

[Sarita]

How much pellets do you feed them?

As rabbits age their metabolism does change so their eating habits may change as well.

Are they getting veggies/greens as well?

[HouseMiniLops]

At least one of the books on house rabbits I’ve read recommend not giving rabbits pellets at all. Anyone have thoughts on this? They seemed to give our 1 year old diarrhea, so with the backing of our vet we weaned him off of them. He’s been pellet free most of his life. He eats plenty of hay, fresh grass and a wide variety of fresh vegetables. Our six-week old LOVES hay but seems very uninterested in the baby pellets we got her. She drinks tons of water, likes her greens, and has healthy poops, so I haven’t been too concerned.

From an evolutionary standpoint, it makes sense to me that rabbits shouldn’t really need pellets. They certainly don’t eat them in the wild. Historically pellets have been given to rabbits to fatten them up, which doesn’t seem like a very healthy idea for the rabbits. I can see though how no pellets means you have to be a lot more careful to give them a wide variety of greens and high quality timothy hay so they get proper nutrition.

[Sarita]

Hi House Mini Lops, it’s a good idea to start a new thread instead of piggybacking on someone else’s – do you mind doing that? That way the original poster gets their question answered :~) Thanks!

The pellet free has been discussed numerous times on our forum as well.

[HouseMiniLops]

Sorry, I just meant maybe it wasn’t a big deal if they didn’t eat pellets. I’m fine leaving it at that, especially if it has already been discussed numerous times.  Please feel free to ignore my post and carry on.

[Slowebot]

I think just because it’s a new batch of pellets maybe it tastes different than the old batch (much like a new bag of hay can taste a little different). If they’re eating plenty of it I would give them time to see if they start eating as much as before. My bunnies get picky when I start a new bag of hay so I’ve started mixing the new stuff with old stuff when I start to run low. I just started doing this with new bags of pellets too and that seems to work. But I’m glad exchanging the bag worked!

[mzsunshine]

Thanks everyone for the help! Things seem to be going okay now. They don’t eat a lot of pellets probably 1/8 of a cup for both, it just worried me that the bowl wasn’t empty when I went to refill it when i usually do. I’ve gotten new bags before and never had an issue. They do get greens and plenty of hay, but I’m always a worrywart when it comes to them .

They still seem a little picky at times with the pellets but I’m relieved now.

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