Really, really leafy hay

[beebun]

Okay, so I just bought our monthly hay. We got what we can get around here – alfalfa king Timothy hay, second cut, but what I received was….really, really leafy! Almost like 3rd cut. Just leaves, really little stalks.

Now, Chito eats it. But I noticed his poops are smaller and darker, which sounds like it’s because of the lack of stems in the mix. They’re also kind of smells different if you know what I mean. More pungent…? The big poop pellets he usually makes when he eats his regular hay are almost odorless.

I’ll be reaching out to the seller about this in the morning, but in the meantime, can I make this work for him? Or would it hurt his digestion? Should I push for a return or a refund?

[beebun]

Oh, no, found soft poops.

[beebun]

A lot, a lot of mushy poops :'((( I’m panicking. A friend of mine told me that I should give him benebac as a first aid. He didn’t look so chuffed about food and water, but still grooms himself.

Can hay cause a tummy upset? Please help

[Daisy]

How many hours ago did he start eating the new hay? I believe I read somewhere that it takes 24 hours for food to come out as poop. If you only started feeding it today, it may possibly be too early to see a reaction of the hay? Did you feed him veggies, fruit or other treats today or yesterday that may have upset his tummy?

Maybe I’m wrong, but I find it intriguing that a bunny tummy could get so upset about hay. Or maybe the seller accidentally sold you some kind of herb rather than actual hay? I only feed 3rd cut or more meadow hay myself and that is never leafy at all. The stems are just very thin. But then again, this may differ with timothee. I never had that so I don’t know.

I know I’m not of much help but I saw you waiting for answer for a bit now so I just wanted to give my 2 cents.

[beebun]

Thanks Daisy!

It’s been about 2 days. Since given the hay, his poop had been…terrible.

I read and heard from a friend that some bunnies are particularly sensitive to nutrients in hay and how rich they are, like if you feed adult buns alfalfa their tummies get upset I guess. Chito is 4 years old, coming 5 years old and he’s always a little sensitive.

Also, no, I’m 100% positive it’s timothy hay :’ The shape of the leaves and the (the little amount) of stems and florets is really timothy… Just… Very soft and leafy like 3rd cut instead of 2nd (see pic). The seller said that this season’s harvest is ‘especially soft’. I guess for pickier buns who don’t like stems, it’s a good thing, but not for Chito

A friend suggested that I buy another brand of hay immediately but chito had always been picky so I’m nervous about making the change since they’re pretty expensive over here…

[kurottabun]

Do you have anyone who would be able to give you some hay from another brand as a sample to see if Chito likes it? That way you don’t have to buy a whole bag and risk tossing it. Try asking breeders or friends who have bunnies?

[Author]

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