Good diet?

[DalekBunny]

 Hi everyone!   Just a quick question about Dusty’s diet…

 

He is a 3 lb, Lionhead mix, 7 month old bun and I wanted to know if this was a safe and healthy diet for him:

 

Morning:

1/8 cup of pellets

1/2 cup of mixed herbs: mint, cilantro, basil, occasional Romaine lettuce (thinking about introducing sage.. is this a good idea?  Are there any risks?)

A handful of wheatgrass

Unlimited Timothy hay

Unlimited water

 

Night:

1/8 cup of pellets

1/2 cup of mixed herbs: mint, cilantro, basil, occasional Romaine lettuce

A handful of wheatgrass

Unlimited Timothy hay

Unlimited water

 

Plus a carrot slice or two and an Oxbow Barley treat per day.

 

Thanks! 

[KaraJanet89]

Sounds pretty similar to my bunnies’ diet, though I usually do just pellets in the morning and then fresh foods in the evening. My babies have never had wheatgrass.

I love your username! Ex-ter-mi-nate

[Deleted User]

When you serve them and how often during the day is up to you, however, the diet you describe is low on greens and vegetables, and doesn’t have any fruit. You might want to take a look at: http://rabbit.org/suggested-vegetables-and-fruits-for-a-rabbit-diet/ The Article on the page answers your questions and gives an explanation as to why. There are also lists of safe foods, but it is the article that will be the biggest help.

Always good to ask questions. The information on the rabbit.org site and in the info section of the Binky Bunny site can be counted on and are good resources, and of course there is this fabulous forum.

[Beka27]

Romaine is great for bunnies. You could increase the “occasional” romaine to a daily diet staple, to make up the missing cup of greens.

[DalekBunny]

@KaraJanet89 LOL, yep, diehard Whovian xD

@GreyDove Thank you so much and would two cups per day of assorted herbs be okay for him? I was unsure because rabbit.org says 1 cup per 2 lbs and he is about 3.5 lbs… I don’t want to overfeed him So two cups?

And again, thanks! I am a new bunny owner and trying to not make mistakes!

[Valkyrie]

The Daleks do not like to admit that Cyberbunnies are superior in two respects; they are also superior at binkies.

[Bam]

Dalek, the recommendation of one cup per 2 lbs is a “minimum” recommendation – they don’t get fat from herbs so they’re difficult to overdose. So 2 cups would not be too much. You could even give more if you’re in good supply. I exchanged all snacks for fresh herbs and leaves for my over-weight bunny Bam and he’s lost 300 g (and is no longer over-weight, he’s just my bunny Bam now) and he has had and has at least 4-5 cups of fresh herbs and leaves every day since the beginning of May when stuff started growing around here. (His current weight is 4,6 lbs).

The things to watch are pellets, fruit and nuts and seeds.

 

I didn’t know what a Dalek was but now I’ve googled it.

[marymccord]

Th diet appears perfect to me. If only it doesn’t make him feel hungry after, what You give him is totally cool so continue.

[Deleted User]

Well Bam has kindly saved me a lot of typing! She has made almost all the points I wanted to make with a personal example to illustrate too.

Really go ahead with the two cups of greens. Please take a look at the different lists (since you’ve read the article) on the page I posted earlier, it can give you ideas of what types of greens can be added and the mix you want. Herbs are great but so is lettuce, kale, dandelion greens and carrot tops to name a few other tasty leafy greens that can help you round out and add to his daily intake.

I’d suggest sticking closer to the recommendations on vegetables (other than greens) and fruits. But its the greens that should be the biggest part of the diet.

You’ve got a very lucky rabbit!

Marymccord, I would like to recommend that you do read the article previously posted, it has information you may want to find out about. The House Rabbit Society’s supplies up to date trustworthy information.

[DalekBunny]

@Valkyrie: omg asfdhfkl I am crying that’s hilarious

@bam THANK YOU!!! I will definitely start giving him 2 cups a day and some more fruit/veggies. Also about the sage? Is it good for buns?

@Grey Dove Thank you as well! And that article was very helpful

[KaraJanet89]

Posted By Valkyrie on 07/29/2013 04:30 PM
The Daleks do not like to admit that Cyberbunnies are superior in two respects; they are also superior at binkies.

I am thrilled that there are several Whovian bunny parents on here!  

 

[Deleted User]

Yes sage and tarragon, lavender and rosemary are all fine, along with the other herbs specifically mentioned on the HRS’ list. I started a thread earlier this spring asking about foods, … think it was called “safe to eat”, anyway, a search on Binky Bunny does bring up several interesting threads with lots of good info; an idea if you are looking for some additional inspiration or varification.

[Nibbles123]

When people say dandilion greens do they mean litteraly dandilions from outside?
I got two dwarf bunnies and i give them this everynight:
LOTS of bok choy ( its there favorite )
cilontro
a small amount or parsly ( high in acid)
a dmall amount of spinach ( also high in acid )
English mint
plain mint
basil
2 small straw berries
OR
small peices or apple

and usually 4 small pices or carrot.

[Valkyrie]

I mean dandylions right from outside. I don’t use pesticides or anything in my backyard so I know they are safe. I also pick blackberry leaves from my yard for them, just have to make sure that you get the big mature leaves NOT new ones. Old bunny knowledge passed down through the generations claims that both have medicinal properties, but I have never looked into it scientifically.

[Beka27]

Dandelion greens are available in most grocery store produce sections.

[Author]

Messages