Switching pellets

[Rufus]

I am currently trying to switch Rufus to new pellets and not having much luck. When I got Rufus, the breeder gave me a huge bag of the pellets that he’d been raised on. I didn’t think they were very good quality but I didn’t want to upset his diet until he was comfortable so I kept giving them to him. He was never much of a fan of pellets, it takes him two or more days to get through half a cup and even then I end up throwing some away before giving him more.

So recently I decided to switch him to better pellets even though i still have more than half a bag of the old pellets left. I bought him Oxbow young rabbit pellets and I’ve been following the instructions on the back. I started out by giving him 3/4 old pellets and 1/4 new pellets for a week and he started definitely eating more pellets before, which I think is good because he’s still only young. This week I switched to half and half and he seems to go through the bowl and eat only the old pellets and leave all the Oxbow pellets behind. Now I’m not sure if I should just leave the Oxbow pellets there until he eats them before giving him more of the mix or whether I should start over everyday so at least if he won’t eat the new pellets he has some old ones to eat.

Any suggestions? I’m supposed to switch to 3/4 new pellets, 1/4 old pellets this Sunday (according to reccommendations from Oxbow)

[LongEaredLions]

After you fill the bowl with the mix of pellets, leave it until he eats all of the pellets. Do this everyday until he Is eating only oxbow. Good luck!

[Dobby]

I’m currently having the opposite problem. Pip is leaving his old pellets(unknown brand) behind and eating all of his new pellets (Oxbow)! This is great for the future, but I hope it doesn’t cause tummy troubles in the meantime.

[LongEaredLions]

Dobby-My bunnies did that as well, they ate all the oxbow and left the other pellets. It didnt give them any troubles though.

[mia]

Somebuns have a better tolerance for change in diet than others. Somebuns would also rather starve than eat certain things. It really depends on each bun. I would try leaving just the new pellets for a couple days with any old ones to see if he’ll eat the new pellets. If not, go back to mixing and start from the beginning.

[Rufus]

Thanks! I have been trying to leave them there. I thought he was doing a little better but then I discovered his new trick! He’d tipped the pellet bowl over (even though it’s really heavy) then he’d pulled a bunch of hay over and buried the pellets under the hay. I woke up yesterday morning and was so happy he’d eaten all his pellets and gave him more. Then I discovered his secret stash yesterday afternoon when I got home from work. Little menace!

I’m going to keep trying. I really hoped he’d take to the Oxbow because I think he should eat more pellets than he does. The vet says he’s fine and very healthy but he feels a bit skinnier than rabbits I’ve had in the past. He’s supposed to switch to 3/4 Oxbow, 1/4 old pellets as of today so I’ll see how he goes! He does eat a tonne of Oat hay and 2 cups of greens everyday so he’s hardly starving.

[LongEaredLions]

Ooh clever bunny, Rufus! Little sneak….

[mia]

LOL! Smart bun. Have you tried mushing it up with water and putting it as a paste on veges or something?

[Rufus]

That’s a good idea, I’ll give that a go. Maybe he just hasn’t given them a proper chance yet.

[Author]

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