This is the 2nd time I am posting this with hope of some better replies n views

[HAZELbun]

This forum has always been very helpful throughout so thought of joining it to get the best of it!
Well it’s like I have had Hazel wen he was just 1 and a half month old n now he is about to be a 12 month old boy now, so u see I have been very close to him. He is family now but there are some of his habbits which I am finding very hard to manage..
Its like all this time that I have had him I have realised that he is one stuborn bun who would prefer to starve den to eat HAY.He loves his pellets but hates hay.No matter what I try he just wont give in. (even bought couple of new varieties n types of hay ..but all in vain n now I am using them in his litter box .Even removed his pellets so as to force him to hay but he just starved for one whole day ) ).
Due to this he has been repeatedly suffering from bloats n constipation lately which have doubled my worries. The vets here said me that giving medications now n den would seriously effect him internally leading to liver damage n etc. So now I am in a fix cause there is no supplement to hay as far as I knw…n if there is one den to let me knw .Any help will be appreciated.
(Just some other info on his diet
1.Eats crushed pellets (which is used also as chicken feed in this part of the world (I mean Dubai) n I think it has high calcium content coz there is white deposits in his urine whrnever he eats this a lot.. I’m correct ryt?)
2.Munches upon raddish leaves n cucumbers as treat!
3.Drinks slightly sweetened water.)

[Deleted User]

I am no expert and I sincerely hope some more knowledgeable members will be advising you. That said I know enough to see you have a few problems. Sugar is Not a good thing for rabbits, I really do not think you should be sweetening the water! You are right, hay is extremely important and that needs to be worked on. Given all the circumstances maybe trying some alfalfa (not usually recommended) may be a good idea? (Love someone else to second or contradict that.) I’m afraid that the cucumbers while not bad aren’t the best choice and given all the other issues I’d suggest avoiding them for now. For a very good article with a lot of helpful information, and lists of good foods you might want to read: http://rabbit.org/suggested-vegetables-and-fruits-for-a-rabbit-diet/ While again the need for hay is emphasized you should get a better picture of what a well balanced diet should include, and some ideas on what you may have locally that will work for you. You mention your part of the world, … may we know where that is? It may make it easier for some members to make speicific suggestions.

And lastly, what brand of pellets are you feeding Hazel? Is there a list of ingredients? Sounds as though it may be a different one from the most popular brands in the States and Canada (just a guess) so knowing more details about what is in them may help too in figuring out what is happening and the best way for you to deal with it.

Tummy rubs, hot water bottles or heating pads and Simethecone are all very helpful in dealing with stomach problems. Simethecone is available in different forms, it is the ingredient in a lot of baby digestive medications. It is not absorbed into the blood stream so is a safe way to help relieve pain TEMPORARILY! The baby meds are liquid which makes life simpler, however, it is also available in other forms (such as GasX) in adult digestive aids.

Hope some of this helps! Best of luck!

[JackRabbit]

What country do you live in? Do you know what brands of pellets are available to you? What types of hay have you tried? Is he eating any greens?

[HAZELbun]

(Grey Dove) thnx a lot for ur advice..Well like u asked I live here in Dubai n here I get only local varities of pellets so no idea of their nutrion content as for hay is concerned I feed him again the local variety of hay(the retailers call it by local name so I don’t knw whether its timothy or alfalfa) .Pls chk the link his hay looks like this
http://hooveshounds.com/hay_op_640×299.jpg

Regarding the sweet in his water its just a pinch in a cup so that shouldn’t mind ryt? …is there any particular brand a pellets u r aware of towards which bunnies are partial to

N ya the pellets I’m feeding him have high calcium content for sure coz there are white urine deposits like I told b4 ..

He is absolutely fine since a couple of weeks so I that is certainly comforting bt I will keep in mind ur remedies

[HAZELbun]

Thnku for the response (jack rabbit)
Well I live in Dubai, UAE.The brand he is fed is local n the other available pellet brand is by name Congleiti which I havent used cause I am not sure abt it. I have given him local variety of hay and hay of a company called vadibed *(this vadibed one caused slightly watery poop so I stopped it)!
His greens include only raddish leaves ..any better suggestions for his greens n pellets towards with bunnies are usually partial too?

[Deleted User]

If you look at the link I posted you will have your questions about what greens rabbits like and should eat answered. He really should be eating a lot more greens!

No even a little pinch of sugar in the water is not good for him. Sugar causes a lot of rabbits’ digestive issues, please don’t give him any. A good balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables is still careful to keep sugar low! And to be honest your rabit does not have a good diet, adding any sugar to it will not be helping him.

The best kind of pellets are made up mostly of timothy hay, it is the main ingredient. If you look in the store attached to this forum (Binky Bunny) you will see some of the best brands of pellets, and read about why they are good. You can order pellets online so you may want to think about doing that. Chickens needs are Very Different from a rabbits, chickens do not need hay, and they do need grain, while your rabbit Does Need Hay, and Should NOT have grain. I am sure you care about him so you may really want to think/find some ways of making things better for him. if he starts eating good pellets, hay and more greens I suspect you will be surprised at what a different rabbit you have.

But going back to your original question, hay itself is important, keeps their teeth healthy and digestive system functioning properly so you do need to try to get him eating it. Hopefully some of the members who are closer to you in the world will have some other suggestions about specific kinds. But please read the article I posted for you last time, it would really help you and your rabbit to know what he needs!!!

[HAZELbun]

Sure I will refer to the link, as for the sweetened water well that will be the first thing I will correct today ….
thnku once again

[Author]

Messages