The Skinny on Pellets

[Deleted User]

With the topic of costs coming up from time to time, I understand that some members are feeding alfalfa-based pellets beyond their rabbits’ growing phase. I was wondering if it’s a safe practice if the amount of pellets is calculated right.

How would you calculate the amount right?

Here is an article I found. I am not familiar with the brand of pellet mentioned in it (Purina). Anyone here use it?

http://www.wisconsinhrs.org/Articles/Pellet%20Types.htm

The alfalfa-based pellets I used for when my rabbits were young had almost half the fiber only as compared to the Zupreem. 

 

[Sarita]

This is an excellent article that I’ve read and posted before as well. Susan Smith really knows her stuff.

I have used those Purina High Fiber pellets – I can only find them on Bunnybytes website though. It’s the high fiber lab diet and they also have a Purina pellet called Purina Complete Plus that I have used. They are both excellent pellets.

Most of my rabbits are not on pellets or I give them pellets once in a blue moon.

I have no idea how to calculate the amount though. I know you can contact Susan through the Wisconsin HRS site and I bet she would be able to give you more information or help you on that. I’m pretty sure she is the chapter manager for them.

[Deleted User]

Thanks Sarita. I was hoping you’d know something about this. I went to bunnybytes.com. The Purina diets are alfalfa-based but even the “complete” formula still has 24% fiber which is higher than what regular alfalfa-based pellets have (many of them under 20%).
I will contact Susan to get some guidelines for calculating amounts right. My biggest concern is that my trio currently eats together. Deirdra, my flemmie mix is in great shape, even slimmed down since I got her. Mops used to be a slow picky eater but in the company of the other rabbits he eats well now. My trouble is my mini rex Lint. He is very active and gets daily exercise time of at least 4 hours, but he eats greedily and fast and put on weight. I think he eats some of Deirdra’s pellets. I wonder if I should feed them any pellets separately.

[Sarita]

I suppose you could feed them separately but that seems like that would be such a challenge to do.

Do post what Susan says. I believe she has a PhD. in Nutrition too.

I think there is such a conflict of information out there from vets and rabbit knowledgeable people that it gets confusing – at least I get confused. I usually discuss my rabbit’s diets with my vets – well, those that have medical issues – and I think they are open to just about anything but they like to stick by the tried and true too.

[Deleted User]

Is this “Lab Diet” by Purina designed to feed rabbits that are subjected to medical research experiments? I can see why it would be high in fiber then since lab bunnies aren’t usually given any hays.

[KatnipCrzy]

“lab diets” are usually extremely strictly controlled diets- as yes, they are used in lab animals- and the labs cannot have a variance in their testing results due to opening a new bag of pellets.  So I think the ingredients and final product is strictly monitored to meet the exact requirements as it is stated on the bag.

I used to feed one of the lab diets to my hamsters along with other stuff mixed in.  It was a good diet- but hamsters are not thrilled about eating blocks all the time.  So the lab diets are for more than just lab animals- but they were developed for lab animals.  It is expensive to do clinical trials and testing- so the control as much of the environment as they can so there are no changes that could affect the results.

I hope this does not get into a debate about animal testing!  I am just stating why the “lab diets” are formulated and that they are good for other uses also.

[luvmybunny]

Good to know! I get confused about the %ages and which hay is better too! Thanks for posting the article….I saved it! I use the Purina Advanced Nutrion for Rabbits for Bailey and Lilly and they do well on it. I never saw the Purina HF anywhere around where I live. Now I am more confused, so I am going to stop thinking about this!! LOL

ETA: Since my post, I have ordered Oxbow 15/23 for my girls and will switch them gradually since not many people on BB are familiar with this food. Valen does great on Oxbow Bunny Basics T, so eventually I will switch the girls to this once they are older I still find this all very confusing but I trust Oxbow products and want to feed the best food to my bunnies!

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