Carbohydrates?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 3sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 10 months ago by Tate.

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- 04/23/2011 at 7:53 AM
  Tate
  Participant
  734 posts
  Just wondering how harmful carbohydrates are to bunnies! I just bought the Oxbow Papaya tablets and noticed that the first two ingredients are carbs (cellulose and maltodextrin). I understand cellulose because it’s fiber, but maltodextrin?! It’s used in a lot of things but when I think of it, I think of PowerBars, PowerGels, and Gatorade! Considering I take it on my longer runs (15+ miles) and it’s my only source of carbohydrates in that time, I’m not sure I want them eating this! Haha
  
  Also, I bought the Papaya because Fievel has a sensitive belly and some trouble digesting things like veggies and pellets. He has been to the vet and everything checked out ok and when he’s on a primarily hay diet (90-95%… he gets some pellets and LOVES spinach!) he does well. He gets a serving of Bene-Bac every other day and that has seemed to help as well as I can add in a few more pellets every morning. Anyways, the point is, I was hoping to use this as a supplement to aid in digestion, rather than a treat. Does anyone know what kind of harm this can do or at what amounts this kind of carb is ok? Thanks!
- 04/23/2011 at 8:21 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  I’m not convinced that papaya tablets really aid in digestion. If you are going to feed them, feed as a treat, not as a supplement. For digestion, you need hay, hay, and more hay.
- 04/23/2011 at 8:24 AM
  peppypoo
  Participant
  1945 posts
  Carbohydrates are such a broad category, it’s difficult to say that they are “good” or “bad” for bunnies. Like you said, cellulose (plant fiber) is a carbohydrate and bunnies need plenty of it; starches and sugars are also carbohydrates, and many other kinds of carbs are abundant naturally in plants. Maltodextrin is a sugar, which in general you want to limit in your bunnies’ diets, but it shouldn’t be too harmful if just given in small doses.
- 04/23/2011 at 8:41 AM
  Tate
  Participant
  734 posts
  Thanks for the input. I was unsure about them for digestion, but figured I’d give it a try. They don’t seem too keen on them anyways, so they won’t become a regular part of the diet.
  I really can’t decide if their digestive systems are excessively simple, or very complicated! Hehe
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