How to encourage a bunny to eat hay ?

[Coco the Lionhead Bunny]

My bunny does not really like hay. I tried giving him Timothy hay, West Timothy hay and Orchard hay and he does not like any of those. So, how can I encourage my bunny to eat more hay. I tried stuffing a paper towel roll with hay, I tried to stuff his hideout with hay, and I even tried to mix his pellets with hay, but every time he finds a way not to eat it. So, how can I encourage him to eat more ?

[tobyluv]

You may need to cut back on his pellets to make him eat hay. And maybe even cut back on his greens. Hopefully, if he gets hungry enough he will eat the hay. You said that you had tried a few different varieties, but what about some different brands? There may be some brands that are more appealing to him. American Pet Diner Timothy Gold, is a second cutting and it’s softer and fragrant. Small Pet Select also has nice hay. Oxbow makes an organic meadow hay that my bunnies really like. The Binky Bunny store sells their own brands and they have some nice mixes as well as one variety bales of hay. I’ve never seen blue grass sold anywhere else. There are also hay toppers with dried herbs and flowers that you sprinkle on to encourage eating. Binky Bunny sells that too, but I see that they are sold out right now.

Make sure that your bunny doesn’t have any teeth problems. Those can prevent rabbits from eating certain foods.

I hope that he will come around and start eating at least a little hay.

[Coco the Lionhead Bunny]

Right now I am actually using the Oxbow brand and he doesn’t really seem to like it. Also, he has no teeth problems at all. Yesterday I tried making him a cardboard hideout and I filled it with Orchard hay on the bottom so that he can graze on it like they would naturally do in the wild. In a few weeks I will give him some oat hay and see if he likes it. Also, I’ll try offering Coco some hay cubes which he may like. I will definitely use your advice and buy some hay from Kaytee and I will definitely buy some herbal hay toppers and mix it with his hay so that he will hopefully eat it. Also, can I buy some dried basil and other spices at the store and try mixing it with his hay ? Thanks

[Savikins]

My bunny Liebchen was the same way. I was able to find a few types of hay that she just can’t get enough of. Oxbow Organic Meadow hay, the Mature Oat Hay from the Binky Bunny store, also the House Blend and the June/Brome grass from One Ear Up. Good luck! I think some bunnies are just really really picky.

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