Can mini lops eat dwarf pellets?

[Bee<3]

I’ve been feeding my rabbit with a junior/dwarf rabbit food from a popular brand bc I also have a Netherland dwarf and got him when he was young but I just realised it might be just for netherlands and not all “small” breeds. He is a mini lop (I think they are called Holland lops in some places?) weighs around 1.5-2kg and is around 6 months old. I don’t think I’m allowed to say the brand here? Is this okay or should I switch to the adult food? Thank you!

[Doodler]

HI Bee! I normally like to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for feeding. I was in a similar situation with two bunnies that could be on two different pellets due to age. Since my doe was done growing I decided to move her to adult before she was a year old even though the manufacturer says the adult is for a year or older. With that said my buns get two different pellets and the other one is for junior and adult.

I have not seen a manufacturer that has a junior/dwarf pellet. Normally it’s baby, junior or adult for the ones I have looked at and I have Holland Lops so I am interested in the difference. I am not sure what the manufacturer has in their pellets that they find is beneficial for Netherlands even when they’re older. Since you used kg I am assuming you are not in the US so that could be why I am not familiar with it. What I would do is compare that same manufacturer’s junior/dwarf vs their regular adult to see if your Mini would be getting too much or too little of something. If unsure I would talk to your vet. Feel free to post the ingredients and nutritional facts and someone here might be able to help more!

[Bee<3]

Hi! The website says it’s because dwarfs have a higher metabolism, I’m just not sure if they are talking about Netherlands specifically or all small breeds. I’m going to ask my vet but I’m not going for a few more weeks. Can I post the brand name or is that against the rules?

[Bee<3]

The regular adult pellets have Beneficial Fibre 39% • Crude Protein 13% • Crude Oils and Fats 4% • Crude Fibre 19% • Crude Ash 6.5% • Sodium 0.18% • Calcium 0.75% • Phosphorous 0.5%.

The junior and dwarf pellets have Beneficial fibre 36% • Crude Protein 16% • Crude Oils & Fats 4% • Crude Fibre 17% • Crude Ash 6.5% • Sodium 0.2% • Calcium 0.8% • Phosphorous 0.5%.

So they are different I just have no idea what the differences mean

[Doodler]

I don’t think it’s against the rules because I have seen multiple topics on hay and pellets. Advertising is against the rules but better safe than sorry! With that said I was easily able to tell with that information what pellets you are talking about so that was helpful! I have definitely heard that it’s a popular brand in the UK.

I actually used a website that has a listing of a lot of pellet companies and their nutritional facts when I was trying to pick pellets for my two. I just looked and this company is listed. What I find is interesting is the Junior and Dwarf is not meeting what they say are their recommended requirements in fibre or protein for an adult rabbit. The regular adult does. They don’t have a separate requirement listed for dwarfs but I am not surprised because like I said most companies don’t have a separate pellet for dwarf breeds. It’s actually saying that the fibre in the junior/dwarf pellet doesn’t meet the requirements for juniors either.

For an adult and junior they recommend the fibre (this would be the crude fibre) to be a minimum of 18%. Fibre of course is what helps with digestion. They recommend for the protein to be 12-14% for adults and around 16% for juniors in order to support growth.

I am far from a nutrition expert but if I were to be choosing between the two I would go with the regular adult unless my vet told me otherwise. Here is my line of thinking: Fibre is really important for their gut. If protein needed to be higher in dwarf breeds I would think more companies would also have this type of product. One of my Holland’s is a true dwarf (3.3 lbs) and the other is a false dwarf (4.46 lbs). The pellets they get have fibre levels of 25% for one and 22-26% for the other and the protein is 14% and 12%. They are doing great on this combo.

Good luck with your decision!!

[Wick & Fable]

In this context, I believe it’s fine to reveal the actual product name, since it’s concerning whether it’s suitable for your rabbit or not, rather than being an overt advertisement/promotion. I appreciate both of your respects to the forum guidelines.

I suspect you’re using the Burgess Rabbit Junior/Dwarf Pellet brand, based on the nutritional break down.

There may be a fact for the metabolism of a smaller breed being faster, but I then think about humans — those with higher metabolisms don’t need to eat differently than those who don’t. Nutrition needs are still the same. I am leaning towards the brand potentially trying to make some more money by categorizing their product more as specialized (similar to a pasta sauce brand selling 500 varieties, rather than just 1). Unsure. There could be legitimate empirical research done about the product which does show it helps dwarves, but many dwarves have lived long, wonderful lives without breed-specific food.

In terms of it harming your rabbit, your rabbit is at the age where you can actually change to “adult” pellets. If the pellets you’re currently using are for junior/dwarf breeds, you can begin switching to the adult version, which has a slightly different nutritional make-up and will have Timothy Hay as the primary ingredient, rather than alfalfa, which is more typical of young-rabbit pellets. It should not do harm to your rabbit, since all rabbits, regardless of breed, should have the same diet!

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Bee<3]

Thanks for both of your help it is Burgess and I agree they could be trying to get more money as the junior/dwarf is slightly more expensive. I think I’m going to start moving both my rabbits onto the adult pellets since the fiber and protein is so low and it’s made of alfalfa. Thank you!

[Author]

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