Pellets

[Terradia]

Hi all, I recently took home a Holland lop who was born in September. She was one of about 50 other rabbits who’s breeder was intending on selling but did not work out. She was kept in a cage in a barn. I took her home on Sunday and she is the most docile, friendly bunny. I took the pellets that the previous owner was providing, she was eating these normally upon getting her to her new home among other veggies I introduced to her, romaine lettuce and some parsley. I decided to take her to the vet for a general checkup to make sure she checked out. Everything was fine other than her being a bit under weight(a little less than 3lbs). The vet recommended I give her oxbow young rabbit food, I discovered what she was eating was tractor supply horse pellets for bedding, which is not ideal nutrition for rabbits. Since I switched the pellets yesterday, she will not eat them. I tried mixing some of the tractor supply in with the new and she only eats the tractor supply ones. She has been staying in the same spot mostly and I am worried she has a lack of energy due to not getting enough nutrients. She will eat the parsley but I do not want to feed her too much of it so I limit the amount she gets. She uses the litter box already, droppings and urine seem normal along with drinking her water and she occasionally eats her hay. I don’t know what to do to get her to eat these pellets and I don’t know if her behavior of staying in the same spot other than going to use litter box or grabbing some water is normal because I know rabbits will usually sleep or lounge during most of the day. If I pick her up or scoot her to move her she will then seem to get the motivation to roam around a bit, grab a sip or water or nibble on her Timothy mat and eat some hay. She will occasionally snuggle up to me and I can pet her for a considerable amount of time, I try to sit on the floor and sometimes she will come over but then retreats back to the same place. Any suggestions?

[DanaNM]

Hi there,

Can you describe a little more what the previous pellets were? Where they meant as horse food or horse bedding (made of pine)??

If the later, then she would likely be very malnourished to consider pine pellets as food.

If she’s eating hay, I would honestly remove the pellets entirely and get her eating her hay. The pine does not offer any nutritional value. I almost wonder if she started eating them because she was in an abusive situation before and had nothing else to eat? I agree that she shouldn’t get too much parsley.

Can you give her some critical care? It can be really good for malnourished buns and can help her gain some weight.

I also wonder if she might have some underlying health problem (especially concerning her low activity level). Weird eating habits always make me think of a dental issue. Did the vet check her teeth?

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Terradia]

The vet checked everything and even let me look at her teeth when she was checking them out, she said everything looked fine and she wasn’t malnourished just a bit underweight. I have yet to email her about the lack of eating her new pellets. She has been eating her hay regularly, I put it near the litter box and notice her eating Everytime she’s in there. I decided to put her food dish where she has been staying and she was eating out of it, I’m not sure if she is only picking out the old pellets though, I made sure not to put too much. I had trouble understanding the tractor supply pellets myself,but to my understanding from reading the webpage it’s the pine, however the picture of the pellets on the bag look much different than what she gave me. In any case, yes I have decided to just leave the new pellets available and keep a lot of hay around in different spots of the house, I even stuffed some into some toys. I may have to purchase alfalfa hay if she doesn’t eat her new food mainly because my vet wants her to eat it for the added calcium, as she’s a growing bunny. She been up from her spot the last few hours now, I’m guessing she is just adjusting to the new place and I am getting to know her schedule. I wondered if it was also boredom but I have done everything I can to provide a curious, fun environment. I will also mention she is free roaming, I have a small apt and keep the bedroom and bathroom doors shut, she lays near a private spot I made for her in my living room so perhaps she feels safest there.

[Meg]

It sounds like she’s very lucky you took her home. I’m glad she’s eating hay, and if you’re concerned she stays in the same place too long, you might consider bringing her some food where she is so she eats more. She might have a lower appetite due to the stress of moving, the vet visit, etc. and it’s good to keep her eating as much as possible (of the healthy food you got her). Bunnies love alfalfa hay (though only babies are really allowed to have it) so I’m sure she’d enjoy that!

[DarthVadar]

Just puzzled that any breeder would feed horse bedding as rabbit food. Its not very nutritional, so not ideal for litter sizes and kit growth. Just why.
Oats are amazing for putting weight on bunnies! They love them, too. Oats have a high protein %, but not the micronutrients added to pellets, so pellets are still essential. Feeding the pellets and oats at different times keeps bunnies from picking out the oats and leaving the pellets.

[Terradia]

That’s good information, thank you. So you know she’s been eating fine now, I’ve thrown out the old pellets and she’s been eating a lot! I’m so excited for her.

[DanaNM]

Glad to hear she’s adjusting well!

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

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