Diet Clarification and a few other questions Thank You

[cynthia]

Hi guys

I was confused as different articles have contradictory information or I am reading them completely wrong.

Please help me as I want to make sure I am feeding my bunny the correct amounts. Thank you.

The article, Healthy Diet for your House Rabbit, states that you should give your bunny 2 cups of leafy greens per 6lb bunny. Then on the link provided (HR recommendations) it states you need to feed 1 cup of greens for every two lb of your bunny’s weight.

Can someone clarify what this information means? I am concerned by the contradictory information.

My bunny weights 7.3lbs how much pellets should I feed him?

How much greens?

How can I measure 1 oz of fruit.On the other article it states you need to feed fruit in the amount of one teaspoon per 2lb of your bunny’s body weight. 

 

Thank you very much for your responses.

I greatly appreciate the time you take to read and reply to my questions.

Cynthia

[LBJ10]

Those are just suggested guidelines, so they will vary from place to place. Honestly, if your bunny gets 2 cups of veggies per day, you’re doing pretty good. I wouldn’t stress about having an exact measurement for your bun’s weight. For pellets, that will depend on the kind you’re feeding. Different pellets have different feeding recommendations. Oxbow, for example, suggests 1/4-1/3 cup for 4-8lbs. If your bunny is getting plenty of hay and veggies, then I would lean toward the lesser amount. Fruit doesn’t need to be strictly measured out either if you’re just giving it as a treat. Like my buns can have a slice of banana per day. That is all they get though.

Is your bunny a good hay eater? The most important part of their diet is hay. You want to have that available at all times. If they are fed too much other stuff, then they might decide they don’t want to eat very much hay.

[Coco the Lionhead Bunny]

I offer Coco 1/4 cup of Oxbow pellets a day. He receives 1/8 cup in the morning and 1/8 cup at night so that he has something to look forward to. He also gets 1 cup of green leafy vegetables a day. He is a lion head rabbit who weighs about 4 pounds. Also, please be sure to provide your bunny unlimited amounts of hay.

[cynthia]

Thank you. 

It makes sense. When I started to calculate and convert #s they are all pretty close. Thanks for the info. I buy oxbow pellets. 

The bunny is an ok eater when it comes to eating hay. He does munch on it frequently.  Its not his first choice, but yes he eats it well.

Thanks again for the info I greatly appreciate it. 

Cynthia

[Beka27]

Your bunny needs .25389 cups of pellets per day, measured exactly! LOL! Just kidding!

But seriously, if in doubt, give fewer pellets, more veggies, and always have fresh, enticing hay available. We tend to overfeed pellets when they should really just be a nutritional boost, not the main part of their diet. I consider the 2 cups of veggies per day to be the minimum amount, but some buns will easily eat 3-4 cups per day. As long as hay consumption is good, you might be able to bump up the veggies, you have a pretty big boy!

[Reeem]

My bun gets 1/4 cup of pellets and like a lot , a lot of veggies probably 5 and sometimes up to 6 cups a day and she is 6 pounds. I know it sounds like a lot but it seems to work for her and she has been the same weight for like a month or so im not overfeeding her !

[vanessa]

I do the same as LBJ10 and Reeem. I use the guidelines on the rabbit pellets (roughly 1/4 cup a day per 4lb – but I am working it down so I’m at 1/2 cup a day per bun). I give my buns each 4-6 cups greens a day, I try for 20 different types, and unlimited hay. If I have apple cores, pear cores, kiwi skins, or some other part of a fruit that I don’t eat, I give 1 core or 1 skin to Avalon and Morgan each. Or maybe an inch of carrot once a week. No more than that. I don’t give Guin and Lancelot any fruit at all – because Lancelot is very sensitive to sugar and starch. My buns are between 5 and 7.5 pounds each. Unlimited hay and water of course.

Your bunny is almost as heavy as Guin. My goal for her, is 1/4 cup & 2 Tbsp pellets, 6 cups veg, and unlimited hay.

You don’t need to feed fruits to your bun. They enjoy fruits, so if you do feed, give them only as treats. That’s why they say – 1 ounce. I wouldn’t purposely add fruits to their diet. I only give cores and skins to my bunnies because I can’t bear to waste food. And I don’t always compost. Sugar and starch are not best for bunny’s intestinal flora.

[cynthia]

Thank you tor clearing this up for me.
I have a tortoise and with him I have to be extreamly careful. I just thought bunnies were the same.
Thanks guys
Hes doing good! I will probabily go into the vets one more time again this month. His respiratory issue is still there.

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