Holland lop doesn’t seem to love hay?

[Caitlyn C]

Hey guys. I’m hoping someone can help me, I just got an 8 week old Holland Lop from a breeder. He’s been doing great and eating and drinking. I only have 2 concerns. He doesn’t seem to be eating a ton of hay. He definately does eat it but not as much as I thought he should. Also, I just need some better “healthy” toy ideas. I don’t want him having ANYTHING that will put him at risk of illness. Are cardboard boxes really ok for them to chew? What can help his teeth grind down?

Thanks all

I’m new! lol

[Tessie]

Hi again,

So you went for a breeder in the end?

I can’t think that there are any toys that would put rabbits at risk of illness…
There’s lots of ideas for toys in the habitat and toy section take a look: https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/107056/Default.aspx

Cardboard boxes are the best toys by far in my opinion and yes they are safe (and FREE, yay!). If you’re concerned, use a plain brown cardboard box, (ie. not one with coloured packaging) although I think even those are fine. The buns will chew them and rip them but usually not actually ingest much of it.

As for the hay, as you sound like you know, hay should be the main part of your bun’s diet. Lots of rabbits aren’t fantastic at eating their hay though (I guess it’s like many people don’t love having their veggies, even though they should). You could try different varieties of hay to see which your bun likes best, I think orchard grass is very popular.

[Caitlyn C]

Thanks Tessie

[QueenTwitch]

My buns are the same – one loves hay, one doesn’t eat as much as she should. We cut down her nuggets and treats a bit when she leaves the hay and she soon gets the picture!
Sometimes we put a few mint or coriander leaves amongst the hay so it smells nicer for her too, that often works 🙂

[Hazel]

Considering his age I assume you free feed him pellets? We got our bunny at 9 weeks of age. We bought a 48oz bag of hay at the beginning. He was free fed so he would stuff his face with pellets all day since they are much tastier and would hardly touch the hay. The first bag lasted him 5 months. When he got started on a second 48oz bag his pellets had also been reduced to his adult amount, 1/8 of a cup. That second bag of hay lasted him 2 weeks. That was quite eye opening for us, and we decided to go with a 50lbs bale from then on .

So don’t worry too much, as soon as his pellets are reduced he will most likely eat a lot more hay.

[Jalicia1492]

My holland lop had the same issue, it took some figuring out. He loved his Timothy hay at first then stopped eating it. I was first feeding him by placing lots everywhere so that it was also a form of bedding. Lots of rabbits like to nibble in the litter box too so I put it in there. I switched him to western Timothy hay and he loves it. It has all of the same quality and nutrition as regular Timothy but it is sweeter, so it tastes better. Young rabbits can also have limited alfalfa which is delicious. Also try changing the position of the hay, whether it be on the floor, in a hay box, or a hanging ball. My bun loves his hanging hay ball and will only eat his hay out of it. Just some ideas

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