Question about ‘Readigrass’

[Theodorusrex]

Hi all 

I just had a quick question about Readigrass (http://www.friendshipestates.co.uk/friendly-readigrass/view-all-products.html ). I am in the process of taking Theo off pellets completely. Our progress thus far has been to completely take him off science selective pellets and move him onto fibafirst sticks (also by science selective) – he gets half a stick in the morning and half a stick in the evening. He has  dropped some weight (which was needed) with only another 100g to go until he will be at an ‘ideal’ weight which we’ve always struggled to keep Theo at. I don’t know why as fruit is a very rare treat, once every few weeks, and now he only gets 1 fibastick a day in total. 

To add some more variety/substance into his diet I have introduced Readigrass which he seems to love and eats more readily than his hay. Is it safe to feed this everyday (I have given him 1-2 large handfuls this past few days with no ill effects) ? I know it is higher in protein and lower in fibre than normal grass hay so I’m unsure whether to keep it as a treat or introduce as a more staple part of the diet.

Any advice/experience/knowledge appreciated!

[sarahthegemini]

I gave my bunnies that as their regular hay for a while because mine weren’t great hay eaters but they ate tons of Readigrass. I did switch a few months ago tho because I wanted something lower in protein and higher in fibre. I think it’s a good option if your bun doesn’t eat proper hay but otherwise I’d keep it as more of a treat/hay topper.

[Sirius&Luna]

I used to feed it as a staple, but i was warned that it isn’t as healthy as regular hay. I believe it has more calcium, which can lead to chalky pee, and is higher protein. I don’t think it will necessarily cause problems, but I would keep it as a treat if he is happily eating timothy. You don’t want to get to a stage where it’s all he’ll eat, and he’s picky about it.

I just add a small sprinkle to the top of their hay a couple of times a week. I also use herb and forage mixes every day, which is a good healthy way to introduce some more variety. So things like dried blackcurrant leaves, dandelion leaves, plantain and petals.

If you’re in the UK, pets at home does very reasonable own brand forage mixes like this:
http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/merch-groups/feature/woodlands-treats/woodlands-rabbit-food-170g

There’s also loads of websites that specialise in just things dried forage

[Heaven]

Ironically Sam isn’t keen on Readigrass at all which I bought him once in an emergency from the local pet store when my online delivery hadn’t arrived. I’ve been trying to feed it to him since (50/50 with his regular hay) but he just picks through it.

Good to hear you’re taking him off pellets but make sure hay is compromising 90% of his diet. I give mine Science Selective too but only once a day as they make good rewards while teaching him tricks! (Or enticing distractions if I need to put him back in his cage for something).

Interesting to hear you are looking at replacing pellets with Fibasticks, mine gets both each day so I might start cutting portions down!

[Vienna Blue in France]

Zou loooves Readigrass but i don’t give it much now as i had heard it doesn’t grind down the teeth aswell as hay…. so my humungatiuosly enormous bag of it was donated to my bunnysitter….

[Author]

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