Food Equity

[Dobby]

I mentioned in a previous post, not related to bonding, that Dobby is a slow eater.  Really, he’s a grazer.  He munches on his pellets throughout the day and his salad throughout the night.    

(Someone suggested he might have teeth problems.  I don’t think this is the case because he really likes his hay, isn’t losing weight, doesn’t mind when I rub his checks, etc.  Actually last night when he went into his cage for dinner and bed he snacked on hay for a bit before starting in on his salad.  However, the next time we see the vet I will mention this.)

I’ve also mentioned I’m considering getting him a roommate.  Would his slow eating be a problem?  I couldn’t really separate them for meal times, because Dobby’s meal times are pretty much spread throughout the entire day.

I am concerned that, with a new roommate, Dobby either wouldn’t get enough to eat or I’d have to leave food out all of the time and the new roommate would eat too much.

Are my concerns overblown?  Would they figure out something between them?  Or is Dobby maybe better off with only one roommate – me?

Thanks, in advance, for any advice you might have!

[Jesse97]

I always think its great to get your rabbit a friend due to their social nature. If you do get a second rabbit, you could just feed him his pellets in little bits throughout the day while the other bunny is not around. Just a thought.

[Beka27]

I’m of the opinion that rabbits will get what they need in a bonded pair and most won’t need to be fed separately. Unless there is a noticeable weight loss, or one bunny has a diet issue (for example: can’t have pellets) they should work out over time who gets what. Your rabbit doesn’t have to share food right now, so he knows he can graze here and there. With a mate, he may learn that he has to quicken his pace, or both buns may end up being grazers. I would feed a bit more veggies while they work it out, and of course, they always have hay as a backup.

[MoveDiagonally]

I agree with Beka.

Before I bonded my trio I was worried about this as well. I had two grazers and one bunny that inhaled whatever was in front of him. The grazers sped up their eating a bit and the fast eater slowed down a bit. They seem to have found a nice medium on their own.

[Dobby]

OK – Thanks everyone. One less thing to worry about.

I did just read that post about bonding leading to both bunnies being crazy about food. If Dobby and I do get another roommate, fingers crossed for the happy medium you describe, MoveDiagonally.

[KaraJanet89]

I’m worried about the same thing. I just got a 7.5 year old Rex and am in the process of bonding him with my almost 2 year old dutch. My dutch, Triforce, inhales her food, and is maybe a little rounder than she should be. Not obese…but I’m thinking she doesn’t need to gain any more weight. My rex, Phoenix, seems like he needs to put on a little weight, and he is a slow eater. They’re in separate pens now, but I’m worried about their eating habits when I put them together.

[Author]

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