Rabbit’s Food Diet

[OreoTheRabbit101]

Hello!

So I had a few questions. Maybe I’m just really clueless and stupid. 

1. Oreo is an adult rabbit (2 years old). The one and a half years that I’ve had her, I never really looked into how much she weighed. So today, I decided to check. Oreo is only 2 pounds. Is that normal for an adult rabbit? 

The only reason I’m asking this is because I’m curious to how much other rabbits weigh. I also read online on rabbit.org that you should feed your rabbit 1/4 to 1/2 cup per 6 lbs… Which I just now noticed is how much I’m feeding Oreo and she’s only 2 lbs. However, on here, I read it’s 1/4 to 1/2 cup per 2 lbs. So what is your opinion on this. 

2. Oreo has never ate fruits before. Maybe that’s because I have a fear that the fruit I’m giving her isn’t safe (even though it’s on the list of fruits and veggies to give her – I’m quite paranoid of something bad happening to her). Do you think it is okay to start feeding her fruits and if I should, what are good fruits are good to start with? And how much should I feed her?

3. How often do you feed your rabbit? For me, my daily feed routine is I feed her 1/4 cup of pellets with about 1 cup of veggies twice a day (morning and night). I do want her to explore her veggies and fruits so I just want other opinions on what are good ones to give her?

[professorzap]

An adult rabbit can be 2 pounds, depends on the rabbit. The smallest rabbit I’ve had was about 2 1/2 pounds, she was a dwarf Netherlands. I always take my rabbit for a yearly exam and ask him if the bunny is a healthy weight. He goes by the “feel” more than any average. My current bunny is a bit less than 5 pounds last time he was weighed and I give him the following: unlimited hay (timothy, orchard grass, organic meadow hay, and oat) out at all times–should be about 70-75% of diet; 1/4 cup pellets (split into 1/8 a cup twice a day); about 2-3 cups of greens (also split into a couple of times); 2 small pieces of dried papaya, 1/2 a probios digestive treat (for horses) in the morning. Fruit should just be a small amount and many fruits are safe. When I first got my first house bunny, I was going to the House Rabbit Society website (rabbit.org) regularly, as there they have A LOT of information on what veggies and fruits are safe as well as what percentage of each the bunny should get based on weight.  I don’t go by the bags of rabbit food, as I tend to believe they want you to feed more so you buy it more often…maybe I’m just cynical, but I do go more by places like the House Rabbit Society.

[DanaNM]

Hi there, welcome

1. What a healthy weight is for her really depends on her size. I’ve had buns weighing 2 lbs and buns weighing 9, and both were healthy weights! If you are unsure, your vet can help you determine if she is over or underweight. As far as pellets, I feed about a 1/2 cup total per day, split between my bonded pair twice a day. Their combined weight is about 14 lbs. I’ve been trying to put some weight on one of them (who is about 5 lbs), so I’ve been a little generous with the pellets. You can start weighing Oreo every couple weeks and see if she’s gaining weight. I think this chart is helpful too: https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.therabbithouse.com/diet/images/rabbitweightbodyscore.png&imgrefurl=http://www.therabbithouse.com/diet/rabbit-weight.asp&h=725&w=570&tbnid=Wb6FryOM5P8aYM:&tbnh=160&tbnw=125&usg=__KRfo-LeEMb8u7tdyD1ZmI92ARTY%3D&vet=12ahUKEwis5vnF4OXaAhVGz2MKHWw1CkEQ9QEwAHoECAAQLg..i&docid=If-e2Ug0HdvryM&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwis5vnF4OXaAhVGz2MKHWw1CkEQ9QEwAHoECAAQLg

2. Fruits are not a necessity, I rarely feed mine fruits. Occasionally I’ll give them a blue berry or a tiny piece of strawberry or banana. Fruits are really treats, so they can be reserved for special times, like after nail trims or medication. A 1/4″ thick slice of banana would be a safe amount. Bunnies with sensitive tummies can get soft cecals with too many fruits, and they can also make the bunny want less hay, so if you notice these things, cut back. Or if you don’t feel comfortable with it, no harm will come to the bunny for not getting any fruits at all!

3. Your routine sounds very similar to mine. I give mine veggies and pellets morning and night. I give the veggies first, then pellets when it’s time for them to go back in their condo. I scatter the pellets around so they have to look for them. And of course hay 24/7. I feed 3-4 dif veggies per day. Some are staples and are fed almost every week when in season (like romaine and dandelions), and the others depend on what’s available. There’s a full list of possible veggies here:
https://rabbit.org/what-to-feed-your-rabbit/
I have noticed that many of the veggies on the list are all Brassica’s, in the cabbage family: Kale, collard greens, broccoli, kolrhabi, arugula, bok choy, mustard greens, radish tops….
I try not to feed more than one from that plant family at a time, and I usually only give a brassica every other week.

. . . 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.  

[Wick & Fable]

What breed is your Oreo? 2lbs is how much Wick weighs, and he is healthy weight, slightly younger, but he won’t get any bigger than he is now.

He’s a Netherland dwarf runt, so he’s a small rabbit to begin with.

Some rabbits are just more lean, but you can get some indication by how ‘spikey’ the spine feels. The ideal is you can feel rounded peaks of the spine. If you feel more sharp bone peaks, Oreo may be underweight.

Fruit equates candy, so it’s not a necessary part of a diet. It’s just a nice little treat for rabbits.

HAY is the most important. It should be 80% of Oreos stomach content at the end of a day. 1/4 cup of pellets and 1 cup of veggies per day is a fine amount.

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.

[OreoTheRabbit101]

It probably sounds bad but I never knew Oreo’s breed. Her previous owner also didn’t know what her breed was and when I even went into a pet shop (two different ones), they both couldn’t tell me her breed. Maybe it’s time for a exam from the vet, which this may also sound bad but I’ve never taken her to a vet because there isn’t one relatively close to me (at least within 5 miles). I just felt for how big she is (length wise), 2 pounds is so low but she eats so much. So it feels like I’m doing something wrong.

I feed her about a cup or two of veggies, 1/4 cup of pellets, and unlimited amount of hay a day. Maybe this isn’t enough for her?

[OreoTheRabbit101]

I replied to a previous user about her breed but I’m not 100% sure of her breed. She resembles a Mini Rex for sure but I’m not all that sure. Mini Rex rabbits max is about 4.5 lbs so I figured maybe her weight is okay? Maybe a little underweight. 

She always has hay and 1/4 cup of pellets and 1 cup of veggies is her usual amount per day. Just seemed off that she’s only 2 lbs. 

[OreoTheRabbit101]

1. I don’t know her breed all that much but she could be a Mini Rex which their maximum weight is 4.5 lbs but they should be around 3.5 – 4.5 lbs, typically so I am definitely worried there is something wrong. 

2. I figured fruit isn’t a necessity. I actually just tried to feed her 1/2 oz of banana and she completely hated it and went for the cilantro instead. I would rather not give her fruit since she seems more of a veggie type of gal. 

3. Oreo is very picky with her veggies. Always will only cilantro even though I always mix it with celery, sage, and basil. I always try to feed her other veggies but she will not explore her options. I usually only get cilantro, sage, celery, basil, bok choy, and romaine lettuce. I will change it around every day. 

[Wick & Fable]

It could be that before you received Oreo, she was already underweight, so you’ve been giving her a good amount for diet, but it’s maintaining the weight, rather than gaining. The ideal diet will not make a rabbit go into healthy weight; it will just ensure it will not gain or lose unnecessary weight.

The vet visit (exotic vet) is best to figure it all out!

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.

[OreoTheRabbit101]

This makes a lot more sense. Her previous owners had her for 6 months and when they gave her to me, she was very shy and never really wanted to bond with me (like it took her at least 6 months or so to finally bond with me). She also was eating a lot of carrots. The previous owner handed her to me with a whole bag of carrots. I knew from that, she wasn’t getting a proper meal while with her previous owner. I just really want what’s best for her and I feel like I’m failing at it.

[Deleted User]

Even if there are no rabbit vets within 5 miles of you, you should know where the closest one to you is. In case of an emergency, you don’t want to be fumbling to find one.

[OreoTheRabbit101]

The only vet I know and trust (because my dogs and cats also go there) is a 10 minute drive from me. The one closest to me just opened and I don’t fully know if that’s a good vet yet but you’re definitely right.

[Heaven]

@Oreo, just to say I had the same experience when I picked up Sam for the first time. The owner literally handed me a bag of carrots for him & he was only about 2-3 months old at the time. She’d been feeding him apple, carrot & dry food with no hay. So bad for his little tummy. I’m glad Oreo has you now

[DanaNM]

Posted By OreoTheRabbit101 on 5/02/2018 12:55 PM

The only vet I know and trust (because my dogs and cats also go there) is a 10 minute drive from me. The one closest to me just opened and I don’t fully know if that’s a good vet yet but you’re definitely right.

When you’re calling around to see what vet you’d like to go to, ask not just if they see rabbits at all, but how many they see. Go for the one that sees more bunny patients, even if it’s slightly farther away. Also ask if the bunny vet is there every day. 

 I drive about 25 minutes to my regular vet, which has two rabbit vets on staff, and see tons of bunnies. It’s really important that the technicians area also good with bunnies, as they spend lots of time with the bunnies too. We have another that is closer (about 5 minutes), and she’s great, but she isn’t at that office every day, and the clinic just doesn’t see as many buns. If mine ever had to be hospitalized, I would feel way better having them at the office that has a whole staff that knows buns.  

. . . 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.  

[OreoTheRabbit101]

Oreo was only 4 – 5 months and she literally was not happy. Even for the first 6 months, she wasn’t. But I’m so happy she’s happy now

[OreoTheRabbit101]

Totally makes sense! I’ll call around tonight!

[Author]

Messages