clarification on diet

[Miss Bun Bun]

Heya Everyone

New bun bun mom to Lil’ Miss Bun Bun. She’s a 3 month (14 week) old Holland Lop. I’ve read a ton of information and its becoming a little confusing regarding the diet- soo many different sites saying the same plants are either okay in one opinion and wrong.in the next. 

Nonetheless, can someone clarify how much veggies she should be getting- I know 10%- but what does that exactly look like? – for instance how many romaine lettuce leafs, or kale or celery, or herbs….?

I have slowly been introducing new ingredients as I want to give her the best diet possible. She is currently on unlimited Oxbow young rabbit pellets, Alphalfa Hay (with a bit of Timothy Hay mixed in just to slowly help with transition later on). She currently has tried: Kale, Romaine, Arugula, Broccolli, Broco-slaw, Brussel Sprouts, carrots (a couple matchsticks a week as treat), Parsley, Baisil (which she doesnt eat), colliflower, cucumber,  apple and rasberry as treat.

Can someone give me an idea of how much of each would be best for Bun Bun? and maybe some tasty alternatives or add-ins?

Much appreciated

[Wick & Fable]

At 3mo old I would actually recommend not giving veggies and only doing hay and pellets. Her digestive system is developing, as well as her eating habits. You want her to emphasize hay during this time, so not having veggies will help.

Veggies are usually introduced in small, less diverse waves when they’re older, around 5-6 months of age, coinciding with when limiting pellets further is applied.

1cup of veggies for a 2lb rabbit is a good rule of thumb.

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.

[sarahthegemini]

Considering how young she is, she’s tried a lot of veggies? When did you start her on them?

[Deleted User]

Bunnies that young typically shouldn’t be eating veggies.

The reason is that they need time to build up normal gut flora before we introduce things that can throw off that balance.

Anyway, when it is time for her to eat veggies (usually around 5-6 months as wick said, but I did start my bun on minor things like basil and romaine at 4 mo) it is a good idea to limit the “gassy” veggies, such as broccoli, kale, Brussel sprouts. You should give these only 1-2 times per week and only give one type per week. Gas in rabbits is very dangerous and can lead to stasis, so it’s best to just really try to limit those veggies. They can have romaine lettuce, tons of kinds of herbs, green leaf lettuce, red leaf lettuce and spinach (although try to limit spinach due to it being high in oxalates).

I feed my bun spring mix every day. She’s about 3-3.5lbs and I give her about 3 cups of greens per day. They can also have green bell pepper occasionally and herbs like basil, mint, rosemary, oregano, thyme, and parsley. (Parsley should be limited as well).

[Miss Bun Bun]

Great thanks! Didn’t know about her not having veggies this young. When I got her the breeder had already started introducing them to the buns so I just continued. Certainly going to pull back on that then. She eats her fair share of pellets and hay so I’m glad about that, It doesn’t seem to affect her that she’s had veggies- poop is good, activity is good and all but I would certainly prefer she be a glutton for her pellets and hay since that seems what’s best for her.

Thanks

[Bam]

If she has had veggies already from when she was with the breeder, and her poop is good, you can keep giving her greens. Introduce new ones slowly, but you know that. The most important food for a bun is grass hay, so don’t give her so much greens she fills up on them and “forgets” to eat hay. It’s important to establish a good hay eating habit when the bun is young. It prevents a lot of health issues with the GI tract (including the teeth) that a bun can get down the line.

[Author]

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