How many pellets for 🐰?

[Moonlightbunny66]

So I’m getting two buns from an animal shelter. They’re getting neutered this week and I can finally take them home the day after if they’re doing well! The animal rescue currently feeds them 1/2 cup pellets per day. They told me they receive donations of bags of pellets from the farm feed store. I looked there to get horse stall pellets and saw the rabbit pellets and I only saw alfalfa pellets. So they’re probably getting meat rabbit’s food right now… Anyway, I bought some Timothy hay pellets (Martin Mills Little Friends Timothy Adult Rabbit Food) and I don’t want to be feeding them so many pellets. Is it okay if I start a little under 1/2 and slowly decrease everyday to 1/4 cup or 2 tbsp? One bun is about 7lbs (New Zealand mix, about 1 year 5 months), the other is about 11lbs (Flemish giant mix, about 5 years) I just feel like 1/2 cup pellets is excessive, and they should be eating mostly hay and greens. Someone recommended talking to the vet when I take them. I just don’t want to make them gain weight when they don’t need it, and spend so much money on pellets when they don’t need so many. Advice?

[Louiethebunny]

That sounds like a great plan. Typically you go 1/4 cup per 4-5ish pounds of body weight, and because they are larger breeds, 1/2 cup isn’t too bad to start with, but if you reduce it they may be healthier. Because they just got fixed, they also most likely had to be healthy and pass some general health exams first. I think you’re pretty good with what you’re doing now.

[LBJ10]

Never heard of that brand, so I looked it up. It’s a bit higher in fat and lower in fiber. Otherwise, it seems OK. Your bunnies are larger breeds, so if it were me, I would start by working down to 1/4 a cup and then adjusting from there.

[DanaNM]

Just be sure to transition them slowly between their old pellets and their new, usually over about a week works. They should be able to send you home with a baggie of their current food to help with this.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Moonlightbunny66]

@Louiethebunny

@LBJ10 Thank you both! I’ll work down to 1/4 cup then.

@DanaNM I thought about this, and I’m hoping they do give me some of their pellets to do it. I would feel kinda bad asking though, because they’ve still got three bunnies left. I would’ve bought the brand that they’re feeding and just continue feeding them that, but I don’t think it’s healthy for them. I mean I could ask specifically what the bag looks like and buy that, but it would mostly go to waste. I don’t know, maybe I should just ask for some of their pellets…

Thanks everyone!

[Moonlightbunny66]

This is the nutrition stuff btw, hopefully you guys can read it.

[DanaNM]

Just ask them. 🙂  I’m sure they buy giant bags and asking for a small amount (like a sandwich baggie full) won’t be a problem. Consider that if you weren’t adopting these buns they would still have to feed them. 😉

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Moonlightbunny66]

@DanaNM Thank you! That’s true… You are so helpful. I’ll email them. 😊

[Moonlightbunny66]

Yayyyy! They told me they can definitely send some home with me! 😊 I feel like I should give them a donation for helping me. They’ve only got three buns listed for adoption on their site right now. Not sure if they have any other animals. I could get something for their bunnies? Hmmm

[DanaNM]

Aww that’s very sweet of you. 🙂 I’m sure they would appreciate a donation. Not sure how big their organization is, but they might have a donation “wish list” of toys and supplies they like for their bunnies. The rescue I volunteer at always appreciates donations of toys (homemade or otherwise).

 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Moonlightbunny66]

@DanaNM I’ll look! 🙂

[Author]

Messages