old fashioned oats!? Eating habits?

[Mrsbedavis]

We just got a 1 1/2 year old holland lop. He is our first bunny so I’m learning as I go. He is the sweetest thing. We are in love. My question is that when we got him his previous owner said she fed him pellets (dish was full) and old fashioned oats. She said she only gave him hay as a treat. Now everything I have read is saying unlimited hay, 1/4 cup pellets, greens. Nothing about oats so I searched it but I’m seeing that it may not be a good thing. I’ve given him access to all the hay he wants and started his 1/4 cup pellets. He wouldn’t touch the pellets. I gave him about a tablespoon of the oats and he ran over and scarfed them down. I’m worried about his eating habits. What are the correct feeding guidelines. I know he hasn’t been fed correctly but I would really like to get him on the right track. Thanks everyone!!!

[jerseygirl]

Congratulations on your new rabbit!

His previous diet sounds a bit back to front. The oat would been better as the treat, the hay the staple in his diet. Now that he has unlimited access to the hay, is he eating a good amount? Were the pellets you gave the same as what he was getting previously? If different, could that be why he snubbed them?
Did he have veggies previously or is that new for him?

For diet recommendations, check out the BUNNY INFO tab at the top of the page. This is based on what the House Rabbit Society suggests. The HRS has been around 20+ years and consults with vets that specialise in exotic pets (which category rabbits fall under).

[Mrsbedavis]

He is eating the hay. Not as much as I thought he would but he is for sure eating it. The pellets are the same as he had. I emptied the dish and started with a fresh small batch of pellets so I could gauge what he’s eating and it’s really not a lot if any. I tried mixing in a little oats but he just picked through the pellets for them. He eats 1 baby carrot stick but it takes him a while. As far as fresh leafy greens he doesn’t seem that interested in them. I got him to eat a few cilantro leaves but that’s about it. What are your suggested veggies I can try? Thank you so much for your help and I will check out the info page for sure!!

[tobyluv]

Welcome to Binky Bunny, Mrsbedavis! When you click on the BUNNY INFO link, one of the categories is Healthy Diet. Look at the Greens/Veggie section and there are 2 links to articles on greens and fruits, with lists of the ones that are best and ones that shouldn’t be fed as often. Start slowly with the greens and introduce a new one every few days or once a week. Besides cilantro, most bunnies really like kale, dandelion greens, parsley and carrot tops. Some of those baby carrots can be rather large, depending on the brand, and a whole one might be too much to give a bunny each day. You do have to watch the sugar content in their diet. There are so many greens that are good for rabbits, hopefully you can find some that your bunny loves.

If he’s not eating as much hay as you think he should, try different varieties or brands. Some rabbits love softer hay, like second cutting timothy (American Pet Diner Timothy Gold is one) and others like the harder, stalkier hay of first cutting timothy or oat hay. Orchard grass is usually well liked too, since it tastes a bit sweeter.

I assume that is your bunny in your avatar. He’s a cutie!

[jerseygirl]

Ditto exactly what tobyluv suggest. Great advice.

He sure is cute!
(I added in the photo in your other thread. You photo file uploaded fine, there is just an extra step you had missed. Just click on the “Insert Image” icon next to the file name and then the photo will show in your post). : )

[LBJ10]

Plain old fashioned oats are OK as a treat, although there are less fattening options out there.

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