Is my bunny eating too much?

[minnieservis]

Hi everyone~

I was just wondering if anyone could help me with feeding my bunny. I full her bowl with fresh food every morning and her water bottle with fresh water also. But I’ve noticed by the end of the day the food is almost all gone and she’s looking for more. I didn’t know if I was over feeding her or if she was actually this hungry. Also I want to get her some snacks/ treats and chew sticks or something along that line and would like to know what’s the best thing I should get.

Any advice would be great. Thanks so much!!

[Sarita]

Hi, can you give us more information on your rabbit.

How old is she? If she’s full-grown how much does she weigh (if you know).

Are you just feeding her pellets or are you also feeding her fresh vegetables. Is she getting unlimited hay.

[JK]

Yes what are you feeding her?  She should have unlimited timothy hay as the main part of her diet.  Also, a small amount of pellets based on her weight and fresh greens.  Snacks should be healthy like a sliver of carrot or piece of apple but limited to 3 or 4 times a week..  Please see Diet under Bunny Info above for a complete list.

[MarkBun]

The perfect diet for a rabbit should be 80% hay, 15% fresh greens, 5% pellets. What this translates to is:

Unlimited hay (not alfalfa)
A handful of greens
1/4 cup of pellets per 5 pounds of bun.

[Sage Cat]

Hey Minnieservis,

Here is the link to my local HRS branch: http://www.coloradohrs.com/article_index.asp – There is a section on Feeding your bunny corectly – including an article on “Treats for Bunny’s”

Hope this helps.

[MooBunnay]

Hello Minnieservis!

It sounds like you are just feeding your rabbit pellets – is that correct? If so, your bunny currently has a very unbalanced diet, and you are right to be concerned about her eating! A rabbit should only have around a quarter cup of the rabbit pellets every day. They should, however, have unlimited timothy hay to munch on all day long. Also, your bunny needs fresh green leafy vegetables every day like romaine lettuce, or parsley.

Let us know if you need any more information about diet!

[minnieservis]

Is there a brand of timothy hay that you would recommend?

[osprey]

My guys love the American Pet Diner timothy hay.  The Oxbow Timothy Hay is also good quality, but for some reason mine disapprove of nearly all Oxbow hays.

 

[Sarita]

Mine also love American Pet Diner 2nd cut timothy hay. Also Kleenama hay.

[kralspace]

Mine get the veggies, pellets and unlimited timothy hay (they love the Oxbow) but I have to watch my diva princess, Pringles. She goes crazy for the cat food. Not just the dry, but she’ll stalk the house looking for where I’ve put the wet food too to see if she can get a bite. Since I caught her eating it, I keep the bowls up high, but she’s not above hopping up on the kitchen table to take a look.

I just don’t know about a rabbit that loves Fancy Feast Turkey and Cheese……..

[Kirsten96]

Hi I have a dwarf bunny about 10 weeks old. I found him abandoned in a box with no food or water… i decided to take him in and keep him as my own but ever since he’s been home with me he wont stop eating! I give him 2 hand fulls of parsley a day and within 10 minutes its all gone and hes looking for more. Then when I wont give him more greens he constantly eats his pellets.. Should I be concerned that hes eating to much? Hes so tiny and I dont want him to get sick from over eating..
Please help me.

[jerseygirl]

Posted By Kirsten96 on 5/20/2016 1:34 AM

Hi I have a dwarf bunny about 10 weeks old. I found him abandoned in a box with no food or water… i decided to take him in and keep him as my own but ever since he’s been home with me he wont stop eating! I give him 2 hand fulls of parsley a day and within 10 minutes its all gone and hes looking for more. Then when I wont give him more greens he constantly eats his pellets.. Should I be concerned that hes eating to much? Hes so tiny and I dont want him to get sick from over eating..
Please help me.

Hi Kirsten

Thank you for taking him in!  I cannot understand how people abandon animals like that. .  

Young rabbits need unlimited supply of food, so no, he is not eating too much. They have high metabolism and eat lots and poop lots1 Rabbits in general eat a lot but as they get older, its important they have high fibre, low carbohydrate food. Mainly, hay. It makes up 80-90% of their diet. Young rabbits need it too so it would be a good idea to get your little one eating a grassy hay like timothy or orchard. He can graze on that all day long and it will keep his gut healthy.

Hope that helps.

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