Changing Hay Brands

[Lia]

I’m having issues with my timothy hay supplier so I had to get some from a store. Do I need to slowly introduce my bunny to the new hay or can I just give it to her normally? She’s recovering from some serious digestive issues and she’s only 5 months old so I want to make sure.

Also is anyone aware of a brand that would have timothy hay that’s a bit higher in protein? The one I got as an emergency, only has about 5,5% protein compared to the 12-13ish % I usually get from my supplier. My bunny is recovering from stasis and cecal dysbiosis. The vet told me to have her on timothy hay and to throw in a bit of meadow hay so she has some variety. She is not allowed alfalfa hay or pellets at all and I don’t want her to start losing weight.

[Bam]

You don’t have to introduce new grass hay slowly.

12-13% protein sounds too high for normal grass hay. I just looked at my Oxbow hay bags, and both orchard and timothy contain 7% protein.

You could weigh your bun every week and keep a weight diary.

[Lia]

Ok, thank you!

Yes, it is high protein for grass hay but it’s very fresh. The supplier gets it straight from a farmer. I’m weighing her all the time and shes gaining weight consistently.  She was exactly 1kg in Monday which is a huge improvement!

Would 6% protein be enough for her for a while if she eats a lot of the hay?

[Bam]

A growing bun should preferably have more protein, but if she doesn’t tolerate alfalfa hay or alfalfa-based pellets, you could perhaps try feeding her a little more pellets? Too much protein can cause stomach upset and sticky poop though, so it’s a fine balance you must strike.

Readigrass is dried fresh grass and has a higher protein content than normal hay, but it’s not available everywhere. It’s produced in the UK. There might be similar products available elsewhere.

[Lia]

I have readigrass and I tried it after she was taken off alfalfa and she doesn’t tolerate that either. She doesn’t tolerate any pellets, I tried 3 different brands including one I got from my vet. It seems she doesn’t tolerate anything with sugar or carbs in it or anything too rich.

[Bam]

Then you pretty much have to keep giving her hay. There’s no point in trying to give her more protein if it just causes GI upset.

Some buns with a stomach problem can tolerate a small amount of rolled oats and/or a few sunflower seeds per day.

[Lia]

Ok, Thank you!

[Author]

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