Seeds?

[Shadow13]

I’ve read about giving your rabbit a tiny bit of seeds when they are shedding helps. Is this true? What kinds of seeds can you give rabbits? Should you get organic or are non organic fine?

[BanditCamp]

Seeds are very high in fatty oils and are usually only eaten by wintering animals. As a result, seeds should be fed very rarely. Do not feed at all if your rabbit is overweight.

As per my vet says:

Be warned that Rabbits are more sensitive to fat than humans, and in addition to obesity, the excess fat can accumulate in your rabbit’s liver and arteries (atherosclerosis). Veterinarians have reported that rabbits fed seed-rich diets have a much higher incidence of fatty liver disease (hepatic steatosis), which is often fatal. Acute episodes of GI stasis and dysbiosis are common following ingestion of a large volume of seeds.

If you decide to feed seeds, the following types of seeds are safe.

Flax (linseed)
Melon (e.g. watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew)
Pumpkin
Safflower
Sunflower
Squash

Make sure that these seeds are unsalted. Feed no more than one or two seeds per 4 lbs of rabbit a day to prevent weight gain. Make sure that the seeds are part of a balanced diet with plenty of hay and veggies. You may wish to hull the seeds since the shell is indigestible, but the hulls also provide lots of fiber for a rabbit.

Here is the result of a seed feeding rabbit and the sad story

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/showthread.php?t=27306

[Bam]

Hay is the best thing when a bun is shedding. It works a bit like a brush in the intestines, it prevents hair blockages from forming. That’s the major risk when a bun is shedding. Many buns feel a bit under the weather when they are shedding, but extra nutritious food won’t really help. Rabbits’ tummies tend to be extra sensitive during a heavy shed, and skinny food is always better for a bun than fat food, at least if it’s a house bun and not an outdoors bun that needs extra energy to keep warm. Freshly rinsed, wet leavy greans like parsley or dill or cilantro can also be good during a shed, because it provides extra hydration.

[Author]

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