Green Tea Leaves

[charcoal's mom]

 Hi,

I’m new here and a new rabbit owner as well. I have a 5-week old (?) rabbit (the petshop attendant wasn’t so sure when he was born nor what breed he is). I’ve been researching on how to take care of rabbits and what diet is best for him.

I have a question about japanese green tea leaves (Sencha)? I have a box full of green tea leaves that probably won’t be used for making tea, so instead of it going bad, I was thinking of giving them to my rabbit…

I read tea leaves are ok, but how about green tea leaves? 

 

 

 

[Sarita]

No to the tea leaves. For a rabbit this young and this is very young – 8 weeks is really when they should be weaned from their mom – I would just continue with pellets and hay as that is probably what she/he has been eating. You want to replicate her diet and her mom’s diet as closely as possible before introducing any vegetables. Most likely she or her mom have not had a diet of veggies in their diet which is why you start out with pellets only.

In a few weeks very slowly start adding appropriate veggies and tea leaves are not an appropriate veggie.

[LoveChaCha]

If you don’t like the Sencha, you can send them to me I’m an addict.

I agree with Sarita, pellets pellets and pellets, and hay.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Ditto-no to the tea. You never know how it was processes or what else is in it. Five weeks is very young so keep vigilent for any signs of illness-runny eyes, nose, not eating etc and see a vet immediately if you suspect anything at all.

Welcome and congrats on your new addiition!!

[charcoal's mom]

Thanks everyone! Definitely not going to give him green tea leaves.

It’s a bit frustrating here in the Philippines since there are only a few products/supplies for rabbits available. I was worried about my bunny since it wasn’t taking the pellets. The pet store attendants told me they just feed it with cabbage (which i never gave him) and rabbit pellets! but I read I needed some KMR since he’s still young and lots of alfalfa hay. Unfortunately, they don’t carry such products. I checked with the vet and she gave me vitamins (for rabbits) and told me to add a few drops in his water just in case he doesn’t eat that much.

Thank God he is eating well now. I found a way to include pellets in his diet, I mush them up with water and oven dry them into crumbles. He likes them best with some herbs like basil or rosemary in them!

So far no poop issues, pee is just right and no signs of illness. Just a hearty eater, actively curious and very affectionate baby bunny.

[Sarita]

I’m glad you found a way to make him eat. I understand your frustrations as well about product availability – I hear that alot. Do you have a farm anywhere close by who might be able to sell you some kind of hay? And in small amounts rather than a bale.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I wonder if you could try ordering online? Ebay or leithpetwerks (I’ve ordered through them internationally before-they are us and I’m in Canada and they shipped reliably several times)-I’ve had luck on both sites and you can definitely get great products. I really like the oxbow pellets if you are able to order those.
I know the phillipines are warm…but not sure the area you live in-but if you have a garden-you could buy or order seeds to grow produce for bunny-carrots, parsley, cilantro, kale, romaine
Your bunny is just gorgeous!!

[longhairmike]

buns don’t need caffeine,, their heart-rate is fast already.
Philippines should have a year round growing season if you can get some greens started, but make sure you keep him out of the heat and humidity!!

[Author]

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