Calf Manna Suppliment

[bullrider76543]

My vet is very rabbit savey and has dealt with rabbits for 12 years. She has recommended Calf Manna for all of my bunnies when they were young and growing, and done not recommend it for bunnies over a year old. so my question is has anyone else’s vets recommended this product? Dr. Helm told me it helps bunnies grow and build muscle mass instead of fat. Big Blue is a good example, as he is 20 lbs but is not fat he is solid muscle and lean. she also says that Big Blue is very healthy and says she recommends this especially for large breeds to reduce the risk of developing fatty tissue around the heart which is a leading cause of illness in larger breeds.I have used this on Peanut who we found in a parking lot abandoned. he was only 2 lbs when we found him, and in the 2 months we have had him he is now up to almost 8 lbs of solid growing bunny!! any opinions?? Oh and by the way she only recommended mixing some into the pellets not replacing them at a 3 part regular and 1 part manna mix.

As you can see Peanut is not fat at all and is full of energy and very strong!!

This is the product that my vet recommended.

[Sarita]

I have heard of this and while I have not used it I would say if your vet recommends it, then it must be good. Too many rabbit people are stuck on Oxbow (which I do like) and think it’s the holy grail, but there are many other brands out there that are just as good in my opinion. I understand many zoo’s use this particular brand as well (Manna Pro).

[RabbitPam]

It sounds like you have proof of its beneficial effectiveness, so by all means follow your vet’s advice. (And also taper off at the age she stated.)
I agree with Sarita, and used to use a good product only available in New England and parts north called Big Red Rabbit Food years ago. It’s just that Oxbow is national/international, and there’s so much bad stuff on the market for bunnies that you want people to stick with at least one manufacturer that’s known to be good.
But a big bunny has different needs than a dwarf as well. Good to find choices.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’ve never heard of that before. Just want to add a “SQUEE!” @ Peanut’s picture.

[LeahM]

 Calf manna is a food supplement used to wean baby (really young babies, that would still be on milk for many months) cows onto grain.  It is very palatable and very high in protein.  Even then, it is just used to transition them onto a lower protein grain and/or used as a top dressing.  It is primarily soy based and I would say that it is NOT a species appropriate diet for a bunny (or cow for that manner, lol).  I think it could be used in injured or sick buns who need lots of extra calories, but I personally would not feed it to a healthy bunny.  It can be used for birds when they are molting or injured as well.  I have gotten lots of BAD (dangerous, wrong and strange) advice from vets, so I am definitely not from the camp that believes everything the vet says.  They’re just people and they get things wrong too.  Not saying *this* is wrong, per-se….  just my feeling in general.  I am a skeptic of all processed/manufactured foods and calf manna DEFINITELY falls into that category.

[Author]

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