Poop and Diet Problems for Young Bunny

[Jenni]

I just got a new lionhead mix breed bun, that is around 10oz + (unknown age, but very young) who was on a diet of pellets (unknown brand). I started adding alfalfa hay a week ago (when I got it), and every morning there is large cecotropes/mashed up poop clumps in its “home”. 

I let it free in one of my rooms, supervised. It was fed some greens a while back, but I’ve stopped. I got some papaya treats yesterday and fed it some of that. Lately it is also pooping softer/not fully hard poops. I don’t know if it’s because of the diet or just not use to the environment. I also clean it’s butt since it gets stuck with poop with warm water. I bought new oxbow adult pellets, but it won’t eat it. I think it nibbles on some of the timothy hay I just got.

Any suggestions on diet change or reason? Should I go to a vet? Thanks so much! I hope that wasn’t too long! 

/repost from house rabbit Q & A (I think this forum is more suited) 

[Sarita]

I deleted your other post.

Is he getting grass hay also?

I always recommend that you get a vet check on a new bunny especially if it’s a baby and have a fecal test to check for coccidia.

[Jenni]

Oh okay thanks! (I didn’t know how to delete.)

I just got some timothy hay and started adding a little to it’s diet. I’ll probably contact a vet this weekend. 

Should I change buy the young oxbow pellets to transition into, instead of the adult pellets?  

[Sarita]

I think if he’s already eating the adult pellels that is fine – as long as you are giving him handfuls of alfalfa that should suffice.

[Jenni]

He isn’t eating the adult pellets yet, so I guess I can still try the switch with young pellets. 

I also have a salt lick carrot flavored thing, would that effect anything?

[Sarita]

Well, it’s really not necessary – he gets all his vitamins and minerals from his pellets.

[T]

It could just be him adjusting to the new place or just a sensitive stomach. My Holland lop has a sensitive stomach, she only gets hay and oxbow pellets (she wouldn’t eat the pellets for a few days but now she loves them).Seren is 4mo. old,I’m not going to start veg until 6 mo. I think some rabbits just have sensitive stomachs. But I would take him to the vet for a fecal to be sure. I don’t know if the salt lick would cause anything but I wouldn’t use it.I was told by the vet that salt licks are unnecessary, they just need a proper diet.

[Sadibugs]

Do you by chance live in Alabama? I just had the same things happen with our new lionhead.

[Jenni]

No, I live in Texas, but that’s pretty close~! kinda. 

[Sadibugs]

Lol! True. We just bought a lionhead and had close to the same problems. I had posted just a few days ago about it

[jerseygirl]

10+ oz? That seems a very young rabbit to be away from its mother. Maybe 3wks old?
Can I ask; did you get the bunny from a breeder, private sale, petstore?

[Author]

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