Im allergic to hay what can I do?

[Celia]

Hi all, I recently acquired two bunnies(mini rex and holland lop) My question is Im really really allergic to Timothy hay.I can get away with some hays but most give me allergies.Is there something else that would be acceptable for my buns and do they even need it if they eat good quality pellets?

I havent tried Alfalfa yet though.

I was thinking maybe some kind of hay block were it wasnt dusty and was more condensed..

 

Thanks all

 

[Monkeybun]

hay blocks are good for treats, but not as a hay replacement usually. And absolutely they need hay. Pellets are NOT a replacement for hay. Hay should make up 90% of an adult bunny’s diet, pellets a couple percent, veggies the rest.

I am mildly allergic to timothy hay too. Orchard, oat, rye, wheat don’t affect me at all. You may want to experiment with different types and see what works

[Stickerbunny]

Hay is important to their digestive system, as they are grazers and it helps keep things moving along and prevent blockages (and also hairballs!). Pellets shouldn’t be free-fed since it can cause weight issues. Also, the grazing helps keep their teeth worn down.

Alfalfa is considered too high in calcium/protein for adult rabbits to eat as a primary, but occasionally it’s fine (adult being over a year). Have you tried oat hay? It’s not very dusty, more a corn husk texture… might be easier on your allergies.

What you can do is keep the hay confined to one room and for storing use a large plastic bin with a lid. When you have to handle the hay, use a mask and gloves to avoid it getting on you/breathing it in. Put an air purifier in the room to help get the particles out of the air.

[Elrohwen]

A hay block really doesn’t provide the right kind of fiber so it’s not a substitute for real hay.

There are other grass hays you can try such as orchard, broome, etc (I can’t remember them all at the moment).

Also, I definitely suggest wearing a mask, gloves, and long sleeved shirt while you get hay (change out of the shirt right away).

[Deb'sBuns]

I like orchard hay or if I can’t get it bermuda.

[Celia]

Thanks for such quick replies.I havent tried but the Timothy(which Im severily allergic to) and some grass hay(mostly brome)Im not quite as bad with it but it still makes me sneeze, mostly because its dusty..
How much hay do they need? Could it be something I put them outside to eat then bring them in after an hour or so when they have finished?

I really hate to make them outdoor buns.All they have at the petstore is timothy or alfalfa and all they have around here at the tractor supply is the brome or grass hay.Ive not seen any oat hay.That may work because I love eating oats(LOL)..

[Monkeybun]

they need unlimited access to hay 24/7. You might want to check your area for farmers that have hay, or contemplate ordering hay online. Many people do

[Elrohwen]

Bunnies really need access to hay 24/7. You can supplement with hay cubes, but like I said, they aren’t really the same.

Alfalfa isn’t recommended for adult rabbits because of the high calorie and calcium content.

You can try ordering hay online. Drs Foster and Smith, as well as the BB store, sell a variety of hays in different package sizes.

[Stickerbunny]

I saw your new to forum thread and the age of your buns, which is 8 weeks, so alfalfa is good for them now if you can get by with using that. It’s good for growing bunnies.

They should have unlimited hay so they can nibble it when they need to. To find other hays petsmart usually carries oat/orchard if you have one nearby. Else, as someone suggested ordering online is good!

[Celia]

WEll I can use alfalfa and then when I can get to Petsmart(which is well over an hour away) I can stock up on a few other hays and see how that works.
Can I just put a little in the cage at a time?

Also not to much off topic.I know that fresh stuff is bad for babies so that means I cant put them out in a playpen on the grass right???
When can I start letting them nibble on the grass outside in a pen?

[Stickerbunny]

If you’re diligent about restocking when they run out, a little at a time is fine. You can put it in a box or hay rack to avoid it getting all over the place and cut down on the dust that will get in the air since it will be a bit more enclosed.

[tobyluv]

Petsmart sells Oxbow Hay, so you ought to get some orchard grass while you are there, and see what other varieties they have other than Timothy. They will probably have oat hay and might have the organic meadow hay.

I would not let bunnies go outside to graze. There is always the possibility of a predator –dog, cat, hawk, etc., that can get to them. I know of more than one instance where a hawk swooped down on a rabbit, even with people standing nearby, and rabbits are great diggers and could dig out of a playpen and take off. If dogs or racoons or other animals have used the bathroom where they are grazing, they can get worms, then will need treatment for that.

[Celia]

I really think that its good for any animal to get outside.Being cooped up in the house is not the same..I would be outside with them anyway.Im just wondering if they can nibble grass at this age or not or should I wait till they are older and used to fresh veggies.
I think animals love fresh air and sunshine even more then we do. I couldnt keep them all cooped up in the house for the rest of their lives.The benefits outweigh the risks in this case.

[Monkeybun]

ONLY let them outside if it isn’t too hot, and IF you have a good solid enclosure for them. Something bird proof, and dig proof. Otherwise, it’s far too risky. A bird could snatch them, a fox or cat could dig to them, etc. Also make sure they can’t be bugged by bugs. Little critters carry disease that could seriously harm your bunnies.

All 4 of my bunnies are terrified of Outside. So in my case, its much better for them to be in anyway. For fresh air I just open all the windows and that works fine

At this young of an age, I would wait for grass. They likely have never had veggies, and you don’t want to risk messing up their delicate tummies. My vet recommends waiting until 10-12 weeks of age to start them SLOWLY on veggies. One new type a week, very small amounts to start.

[LoveChaCha]

I believe that being outside causes too much risk. What about apartment dwellers like myself? Am I posing a risk to my rabbit being in my apartment all day? Not everybody likes having their rabbit outside. Mine hates being outside (I used to live in a house) and likes her familiar home surroundings. My rabbit gets natural sunlight and breeze. She loves to sleep basking in the sunlight.

[Beka27]

You might find it easier to get a very large enclosed hay rack where you could fit an entire bag of hay at once. If you only feed a little bit, that means you’d be handling the hay multiple times per day. Giving a large amount, you might only have to handle it once or twice a week.

[BrattyBuns]

My baby bunny eats mainly grass from the yard at this point. She was 200 grams when I got her and is now over 2 lbs in just a month or so. She is happy healthy and active… although she is NOT a fan of the outdoors either. We take her out on a lead, and let her graze as she sees fit. She LOVES dandelions…and a few of the flowers from the flower bed she likes too. I dont think I would deny her fresh grass, unless it was winter and none was to be found. I am new to PET rabbits but all the rabbits on the farm ate fresh grass ect.

[Elrohwen]

I agree with Beka that handling the hay more might cause you more issues. Every time I fill up the hay racks, DH sneezes for 10 minutes because of the dust. Once the racks are full the dust settles and it’s not bad.

[Author]

Messages