Question on rabbit mix

[Lisa_43]

At the moment I am buying rabbit food from a pet shop, I have been reading up on this and the experts don’t seem to recommend it.

 

The vet here specialises in rabbits and they have their own rabbit mix, but it’s really expensive.

 

I was wondering how I could make up my own.

 

The vet’s ingredients are.         

 

• Carrots
• Corn leaves
• Silver beet
• Corn
• Apple
• Beans
• Green split peas
• Leek
• Broccoli stalks
• Lucerne chaff
• Rabbit pellets

 

Do I just mix them all together, or do I dry them in one of those hydrating machines?

 

Seems like a lot of work maybe I should just buy it.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Excuse me a moment *GACK*!!! I would under no circumstances feed that food to your rabbit. I am in a bit of disbelief that the vet recommends this stuff.  Corn contains a lot of sugar and starch and can cause impaction, beets have a lot of sugar, apples are a treat and should be fed sparingly, not as a part of the regular diet, the beans are a definate no, too much starch, can cause an impaction, green split peas same (too much starch, impaction), leeks, which I am not sure about (rabbits should not have onions) can cause digestive upset, broccoli can cause gas/bloating, lucerne is OK (alfalfa hay) although timothy is better but hard to find in Oz. I would just stick with the plain pellets, hay, water, and fresh fruits and veggies from this bunny-safe fruit and veggies list from the HRS and you just might want to look at Binky Bunny’s Diet Info. 

[Lisa_43]

Gees, I am a bit shocked this vet is a rabbit and exotic pet’s specialist.

A bit of a worry

[Scarlet_Rose]

I am too.  Well, they might not be all that bad, just be sure to read up on rabbit care from reliable sources and even print out the list of questions to ask your vet and see if they pass muster:

How to Find a Good Rabbit Vet

Some vets are still of the old school where things have been a certain way for a long time and haven’t changed that philosophy or have not been exposed to the newer thoughts. It can also vary from country to country as well.

Take a look at the bright side, at least you don’t have to buy the expensive food and can save some $.

[Gravehearted]

well Lisa, since it’s also the vet who didn’t notice that the bunny they sent home with you was pregnant, so I guess that also says something.
Since she’s still nursing, it is a good idea to feed her more, but still the vet’s recommended diet does not sound health to me at all.

i think in Australia the preferred brand of pellets it Peters. However, if she’s been eating the mix or some other brand, you’ll want to slowly transition to her food over several weeks. Since you don’t have timothy hay over there, adult bunnies should be offered unlimited oat hay. You will want to offer lucerne hay to the babies though.

There is a companion rescue group in Australia, which is where I double checked the kinds of hay. They also may also be able to help you find a vet that knows more about bunny care.

companionrabbit.cjb.net/

[BinkyBunny]

Well, I second Scarlet’s *GACK*.

There is also a great Australian based Bunny site at http://www.BoingOnline.com. They have an area for recommended vets http://boingonline.com/rabbit_vets.html. Not sure if there are any near you, but maybe you call one of them to get a referral.  But you should still go through a screening process to make sure that they actually know what they are doing

 Keep us updated!

[osprey]

Yikes, that list looks more like the ingredients for a soup recipe than a healthy bunny diet.  I agree with the other posts, please reconsider feeding this mixture to your bunny.

[Lisa_43]

The rabbit specialist is not the same place I got Ebony from.

I decided to go to the specialist because of that reason, they are supposed to specialise in rabbits.

They were recommended from Boing.

I don’t do anything until I check with this site first, there is more experience here than I would ever have.

I really appreciate all the help I am getting as I am just a learner.

I’m trying to keep mum and the bubs in the best of health.

So far all including runt is gaining weight, all have fur and mum hasn’t throwing the runt out for 3 days.

 

[BinkyBunny]

Oh wow! Recommended from Boing. What a surprise. From the link to the veggie list that Scarlet gave you, what on that list do you actually have available to you on that side of the earth?

[Lisa_43]

Alfalfa sprouts                                                        Mint

Asparagus                                                              Parsley

Banana                                                                    Parsnip

Basil                                                                         Peach

Beet Greens                                                           Pear

Bok Choy, I was told to give this freely              Snow peas

Carrot tops                                                             Pineapple

Celery                                                                      Radish tops

Chicory                                                                    Raspberry

Cucumber peels                                                   Rosemary

Dill                                                                            Sage                                

Eggplant                                                                  Spinach

Endive                                                                      Squash

Grape fruit                                                               Strawberry

Jasmine                                                                  Thyme                                                              

Lemon grass                                                          Turnip tops

Lettuce, I heard cos lettuce is ok?                      Wheat Grass

 

Ebony seems to go nuts about one thing, but a couple of days after she’s not interested.

I am trying to buy different things for variety.

 

She is mad on banana but I was told that is a treat so I only give her a small bit twice a week, the same with apple.

[Deleted User]

Hi Lisa

Here’s the vet’s name I take my bunnies to … he is very good and great with bunnies … he can be a bit gruff but he is cheap and has been seeing bunnies for years.  His name is Geo Huber and he practices out at Midvale.  His number is 9274 1845.

You don’t have to make an appointment but ring the clinic anyways for the times he is open. 

I generally buy my bunny food from City Farmers …  they have oaten hay there and rabbit pellets … I have never heard of Peters … well maybe Peter’s Icecream lol. The pet shops are such a ripoff … I steer clear of them …. they just out to make big bucks.

Whats the name of the vet you have been taking Ebony to …. I used to see a vet called Elizabeth at the Rabbit Shop in Booragoon but she is so expensive.

I hope this helps you.  Anything else you want to know just give me a buzz.

Dawn xx

[Lisa_43]

I have herd of George and how good he is.

I was going to the one at Booragoon; she is the one that I got the care pack off.

The ingredients above are the ones I am supposed to be using

[Frostyleo8]

If you do purchase commercially prepared rabbit food, be aware that pet stores sell some items that are terrible for rabbits.  For instance, the "fortified" pellets you see with corn and other stuff in it are really bad for them.  I just feed mine regular timothy hay-based pellets and they love them.  (I supplement with safe veggies, treats and hay too, of course.)

Also, the first vet I took my rabbit to was supposed to be knowledgeable, but proceeded to tell me that I could feed him cabbage, PRETZELS, etc.!!!!!!  I had only had him two days, but knew better than that!  Don’t assume that a vet or pet store knows best. 

[Deleted User]

I would stick to the plain pellets only …. that other stuff is rubbish!

A good diet of pellets, hay and some good greens are basically all bunnies need ….

An occasional treat is ok …

Dawn x

[Bunnies4ever]

That is unbelievable and scary! And you would think vets would be more knowledgable! Like Dawn8940 said, a good mix of pellets (not too much), hay, greens and an occasional treat is all you need to take good care of your bunny. My buns have lived off that diet for years and are in the best of health (knock wood). I’m so franatic about the health of my buns. If we accidently let a fly in the house, I run and close the door where my buns are..I’m paranoid about fly strike. Kahlua stresses easily and if I have company over, I don’t let them play with the bunnies. I had a friend come over with two two dogs and stressed Kahlua out so much he almost went into GI statis.

[Deleted User]

So true …. I like to keep things simple … that way eliminates unnecessary stress and problems with my bunny.

Dawn x

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