Pellets?!?!

[Jenna, Chubs & Comet]

Grr….so I already posted about the pellet situation. I can’t find the brand I have been using (which was a big bag I got from Chub’s old owner- and she hasn’t responded to an email about hwere she got it). So I bought oxbow pellets and they won’t touch them. I have been doing half and half and slightly less and less of usual ones. They will not touch them. Today I tried giving them all oxbow ones to see if they’d give in and they’re just begging at me and being “hungry”. They have tons of hay and have gotten their normal amount of veggies. Should I cave so I’m not cutting out pellets?? Or should I wait them out…I’m almost out of the old ones and I don’t want to go different than oxbow because it’s the best…?!?!

[MooBunnay]

If they are still getting their hay and veggies, I wouldn’t worry too much about the pellets. The hay is the most important thing in a bunny’s diet, and if they are eating more hay because they aren’t eating any pellets, then that is even better. I’m sure that they will come around to eating the pellets after a little while, and if not, that is OK. At the sanctuary I volunteer at there are a few different bunnies on no pellet diets because they gain too much weight from them, or because it gives them poopy butt.

[MimzMum]

I have two rabbits now who cannot eat pellets or only eat certain brands because it affects their digestion incorrectly. And since I switched Mimzy back to timothy hay, he all but ignores his nighttime bowl of pellets. Very odd for him, but I can see he’s still eating and eliminating well. (Oxbow is a good brand, but only my Fiver will eat them.)
What is the brand the lady gave you? Did you ever post the name? (I’m assuming you’ve searched the net for it.) I’ve seen some strange brands here in Alaska, maybe one of us can help you find a supplier?

[Jenna, Chubs & Comet]

I’m studying late at the school library tonight (obviously not studying right now…bad Jenna) so anyways, I forget the brand. I can look tomorrow though and I have searched for it online and in my pet stores. I know they can probably be just fine without pellets…but I feel so mean! Chubs is following me around like I’m starving him I keep thinking, my mom rarely ever made me eat stuff I don’t like! I’m a mean mommy…

[Beka27]

Is there any chance the previous pellets were alfalfa-based? If they were (and you’d know it from the strong, pungent smell) that would be a big factor too. For many buns, alfalfa is much tastier, but it’s so fattening that it’s not recommended to be fed to adult bunnies. I would continue to offer them, and make sure they have the continuous access to timothy hay and a nice serving of greens daily.

[Jenna, Chubs & Comet]

No they are not alfalfa based, they’re timothy based, which is why I can’t figure out why the switch is such a big deal to them…sheesh. They hadn’t touched their pellets from yesterday morning today so I didn’t give any more but I did leave the ones there from yesterday. They are both eating more hay which I know isn’t a bad thing, I just feel guilty. They loved their pellets as much as their veggies and health wise, they weren’t doing them any harm, they’re both at good weights and have no poopy butt or anything. Should I buy a different brand and see if they like those any better? Any recommendations? Also, all I feed is timothy hay (for hay), is it better to mix that up with adults and do some oat and what not? Or is feeding just timothy better if they are eating it? I feel like I should give them some more variety somewhere if they absolutely won’t eat these pellets…They both devoured their veggies this morning and then followed me around like they were waiting for the tastier pellets…
I feel like such a mean mom looking at those little begging faces!

[Sarita]

Can you tell me the brand of the pellets again? I don’t think I saw the previous post.

[Beka27]

It’s not necessary to provide different grass hays, altho you certainly can! Orchard is a BIG favorite in my house. We actually have switched completely over to the Oxbow (Big Box!) Orchard hay and they DEVOUR IT! Timothy they liked, they ate a lot, but man… do they go after that orchard. You can also do oat (in moderation or as a treat b/c the seed heads are fattening), brome, meadow… Anything you get, try a small bag first to make sure they like it b/c some buns won’t eat a particular type.

[Jenna, Chubs & Comet]

Well the pellet brand is “Rabbit Habit” and the bag is green. I can’t find it anywhere, but I think they are doing okay without the pellets. I just felt mean when they were looking at me like okay…what are these new icky pieces of food? Where’s the good ones? But they get lots of veggies and their hay consumption has gone up since this pellet scenario. I think we could just cut them out if they don’t give in and try them. I will probably mix up the hay a little if we do that though. Also, I think I heard recently that they need salt licks if they don’t have pellets in their diet? Any advise about that?

[Sarita]

I’ve never ever heard the salt lick thing and the majority of my rabbits are pellet free and they are doing just fine.

Curious about the Rabbit Habit brand – do you think it could be another brand repackaged?

[Jenna, Chubs & Comet]

That’s a possibility I suppose…never thought of that. Hmm…

[Jenna, Chubs & Comet]

Do any of you know much about Kaytee Timothy Complete Rabbit Pellets? I got a teeny bag to let them try and they seem to like those ones a little better than the oxbow. Are they pretty good?

[Jenna, Chubs & Comet]

Sarita, I think your idea that they are a different kind in a package was correct! This kind looks and smells the same as the Rabbit Habit and they love it just as much- Chubs was trying to break in to them tonight (which he always tried to do with the other kind). Little booger…

[Beka27]

Which ones? The Kaytee Tim Complete?

[Jenna, Chubs & Comet]

Yeah that’s what the new ones are- they seem like they are good pellets?

[katie, max & penny]

they’re alright. its a step down in quality from oxbow, but its the good solution if the buns like them, i think.

[Jenna, Chubs & Comet]

They do like them and since they only get 1/4 cup a day, and eat plenty of hay/veggies, that I will keep giving those to them. They just lovvvve their pellets and I don’t want to take away their variety.

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