Force feeding tips?

[earthisours]

As some of you may know, I’m force-feeding one of my rabbits, Dylan.

The vet taught me how to feed him, and I’m fairly comfortable doing it. Thing is, Dylan HATES it and fights it to the death. The vet even warned us, letting us know that he’s quite a fighter and that feeding him is always a bit of an adventure. Taught us using two methods, one just with hands, the other in a bunny burrito.

But I was wondering if maybe any of you knew any tricks to a very difficult bunny to force feed?

[Furface]

I had to do it too. Sorry, I don’t know any tricks to make it easier. My heart goes out to you, I remember how stressfull that was.
Remember to keep him in an upright position (not on his back) to keep any food from going into his lungs. And tiny little bits at a time.

[Sarita]

I don’t think there is really any easy way. I usually feed a bite then let the rabbit down to swallow and calm down – it takes awhile to feed them this way but it seems to work best for me.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Are you force feeding critical care? I’d phone your vet and see if it’s OK to mix with baby food ( I know it’s OK to do, but if your force feeding every meal-then that may not be ok)

But what I do with critical care is mix it with baby food(strawberry banana or pumpkin or carrot) and they actually need no forcing-they will eat it off a plate, even if they are snubbing everything else. The other thing I’ve done is mix the critical care with apple juice. That goes down easy as well.

But I’d check with the vet-I’ve done it but not over a long period of time which could make a difference -Keep us posted!!

[earthisours]

Yeah, feeding with critical care. But that’s a good idea, I know he has a super sweet tooth. Gonna call today, since that may work, even if I only do it with only one of the feedings or something. It’s one feeding that’s less stressful, right, if it works?

Poor baby. Vet told us to do 3 times a day until his appetite picks up.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Awww {{Vibes}} Keep us posted!!

[earthisours]

His appetite is really picking up! Today I couldn’t do his afternoon feed, but when I came home, he had finished his entire bowl of pellets! =D And he ate some more pellets after his evening feed. I’m real happy! Lots and lots of poops (left tons in front of the room where my other bunny is housed >.> )

Just trying to decide when to start reducing his feed… I don’t want to do it too soon, but he’s fighting the force feeding more and more each time. =/

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

That’s GREAT!!!

[KatnipCrzy]

that’s good news!  I have noticed as a bunny starts to feel better they are way less tolerant of force feeding!

[earthisours]

If only with this one! He struggles the same, except he’s gotten smarter and figured out better ways to wiggle out. >.> Also figured out how to turn his head the perfect angle that I can’t get at it. >.<

But only doing it twice a day now. =)

[Author]

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