My adult bunny doesn’t like any hays other than alfalfa

[bunz714]

So, I’ve had Pickles since he was 3 months old and he was given alfalfa hay and unlimited pellets. When he was old enough I introduced veggies (about 2 cups a day). Then, at around 10 months, I started mixing timothy hay in with his alfalfa so I could slowly get him used to the change. Instead of eating the timothy, he just picked around it and only ate the alfalfa.

When he was finally around 1 year, I decreased his pellets to 1/3 cup a day, gave him unlimited timothy hay, and kept up his 2 cups of veggies (1 cup in the morning, 1 cup at night). I’ve tried different brands and cuts of timothy, along with trying to get him interested Oxbow’s orchard and botanical. After he rejected all of those as well, I ordered 3 samples of second cut timothy, orchard mix, and meadow from One Ear Up. He, of course, didn’t care for any of those either. 

At this point, I don’t really know what to try. I’ve attempted mixing his pellets in with the hay, sprinkling a little bit of fresh strawberry “juice” on it, and sprinkling alfalfa. NOTHING WORKS. I really don’t want to take his pellets away because I want to make sure he is still eating, but I’m out of ideas. 

Does anybody have any suggestions?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Keep trying! They often do not like something the first few times it’s offered. Decrease the alfalfa a lot, and with the limited pellets, I’m sure he’ll turn to the hay. You did the right thing in trying different kinds-nothing stacks up flavour wise to alfalfa though I’m sure so it just has to stop being available I think.

Now don’t make a huge change-decrease the alfalfa slowly so he keeps eating And try offering the same type of hay several days in a row. Fluff the hay you are offering a couple of times a day-I mean literally fluff it up and top it up -that encourages them to try.

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