Should I be concerned?

[MD]

I’ve had my rabbits for about a month now, and they’ve been eating their pellets and fresh hay just fine. I ran out of fresh hay recently, and ordered more, but in the meantime, I bought some bagged hay from the local pet store. The bagged hay is definitely not fresh (it smells awful compared to the sweet scent of fresh hay) and I don’t think the rabbits are eating it (and really, can you blame them?)  They have been in a rabbit shelter from a very early age and grew up eating only fresh hay, so maybe they aren’t really eating this bagged hay because they’re not used to it?  They also have been ignoring their pellets, eating them very sparingly, but they devour any fresh greens I give them. They are still pooping just fine–marking everywhere, making me crazy, but it is smaller and darker.

I should have the fresh hay by tonight, and I’m hoping this will solve the problem. Has anyone had this experience before? The vet didn’t seem all that concerned that it was an emergency–the only appointment they could give me today was for 1 rabbit, but I have 2 and don’t know if one or both of the bunnies is eating less hay. Plus, they want to charge me $68 per rabbit, when this just might be bunnies snubbing bagged hay. Any thoughts? 

[Sarita]

I think I would wait until you get the fresh hay tonight and offer that to them and see what happens. Rabbits can be extremely picky about this stuff. They are eating their fresh greens so they should be okay.

[Scarlet_Rose]

How are they doing now?  I also agree that they should be OK for a short period of time.  Otherwise you can offer veggies higher in fiber like kale and pumpkin to help balance that portion of their diet out. YOu have some spoiled little bunnies!

[Author]

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