Diet for an elderbun

[Jakalope]

A week ago my 7.5 year old male rabbit passed away from GI stasis. We don’t know what caused it. He had kidney failure but that week we’d noticed their hay and water lasting longer and thought it might be due to a change in brand.

Since we don’t know the cause and our mini red female is turning 10, I want to be extra vigilant about diet. Right now she gets hay and green veg in the morning (lettuce and parley are her favourites). At night they were getting a 1/4 scoop of Timothy pellets each. The last few weeks I was probably over feeding the pellets to make up for their apparent dislike of the new hay. We’ve cut her back to a measured 1/4 cup.

I’ve read that elderbuns can receive alfalfa hay. What if she’s a bit on the chubby side?

Thanks for your recommendations. I am so paranoid after losing our old man that I can’t bare the idea that her diet could harm her.

[Wick & Fable]

I precedent this with I have never had an older rabbit, nor any specific knowledge.

What I can say is increased hay consumption is never a bad thing. If your mini red female is still seeming quite healthy, I’d still go ahead with the usual hay. Can you mix different types of hay in the new brand hay to compensate? And if not, I’d be against putting more pellets, as the rabbit should learn to eat the new brand hay, even if it’s not as good.

Aside from diet, how often do you see your vet for regular exams?

— and lastly, 7.5yo was surely filled with lots of joy and happiness. I’m sorry for your loss, and your clear effort to go further with your female shows a lot of love for rabbits and their lives. Binky free lovely bun.

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.

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