Lots of leftover hay

[Wendy]

My rabbit is healthy and pooping nicely, but he never finishes all of the hay I give him. Is this normal? Or am I simply giving him too much?

I know they’re supposed to get an “unlimited” supply so I give him a huge box of it plus another stack in his litterbox. But I can’t help of think that the untouched hay is going to waste

 

How much hay do you usually give your rabbits?

[kurottabun]

A huge box of it? @@ How big of a box is it exactly?

Typically in a day a rabbit should consume hay roughly the size of themselves. So it depends on how big your bunny is. Unlimited doesn’t really mean you should just throw a big box of hay for him, but rather it’s just to ensure that they should always have hay around. You’ll have to gauge how much he actually eats to gauge how much you should give.

[tobyluv]

My bunnies are good hay eaters, but they like it best when the hay is fresh and more aromatic. If there is hay left over from the day before, they often shun it, so I’ve learned to put down small quantities at one time, then replenish the hay when needed. Try giving your rabbit less hay at any one time, so that it always smells fresh, then give him extra whenever he is close to running out.

[Daisy]

I give them (2 buns, 1 pen) 2-3 hands full every morning and every night and I stuff their hay ball so that there is some left if they squish (and then proceed to refuse to eat the squished stuff) it. If I happen to be at home that day I will refill with 2ish hands if they finish it all earlier than the evening. Around 25% gets wasted, old and squished but I’m fine with that, the hay I get is very cheap anyway.

[Wendy]

Thanks for your answers! The box I give him is around the same size as him and he doesn’t finish all of it…

After doing some research, I think he might have some dental issues. He’s always scattering his hay around and picking through it.
And the fur around both of his thighs (near his butt) are not as well groomed. I’m going to bring him to the vet as soon as I’m able to.

[Bam]

Most buns, if not all, scatter their hay and search through it to pick out the tastiest bits. That’s an important component of their foraging behavior and not at all a sign that sth is wrong.

[Wendy]

Oh! That’s good to know

Maybe there’s isn’t anything wrong with him after all. I get so paranoid sometimes.

Thank you for letting me know.

[Bam]

Well most of us bunny parents get paranoid at times ? That’s why it’s good there are rabbit forums!

[kurottabun]

Like bam said, it’s normal for them to scatter the hay and pick the tastier bits. Though not an emergency, it’s always good to have their teeth checked every now and then anyway just in case A lot of buns are prone to spurs that require some degree of trimming.

[Author]

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