Timothy pellets for baby bunnies?

[Ali925]

I’ve read over a lot of the past posts concerning baby bunny diets and I’m still a little conflicted…I posted part of this question elsewhere, so I apologize if it’s repetitive, but I didn’t get much response.. 

My bunny is currently 10 weeks old, and still has a lot of growing to do…he seems smaller than my other bun was at 10 weeks.  He’s eating lots of hay and also eating his pellets, but not finishing a 1/2 cup a day (I don’t think this is a concern thought.)  Also, he gets unlimited timothy hay…no alfalfa hay.  Overall he’s doing well and eating/drinking normally. 

I am noticing extra cecotropes in his living area…not too many but enough to make a little mess from time to time.  I’m pretty sure he’s eating them, so these are possibly extra due to the alfalfa based pellets (They’re made by PenPal, and they’re a decent pellet)…same ones he was eating when I took him home.  I also notice an occasional mushy poop (maybe once a day) after he’s been sleeping…not sure if this is a stepped on cecotrope or mushy poop.  Either way, I attributed it to stress at first, since we’ve had him only 2 weeks…but now I’m not so sure.  I want to try a diet change before rushing to the vet because I think he’s doing fine…plenty of normal poops every day. 

My question is, at such a young age, is it okay to feed him timothy pellets?  I’ve read the house rabbit society recommendations for a bunny this age, but it doesn’t mention type of pellet…I have Bunny Basics T for my 6 month old bun, and could start transitioning the baby slowly to that.  My vet had told me that bunnies don’t really need pellets at all (they’re just convenience food, etc..)…so I’m thinking that it shouldn’t be a problem just to change him to timothy pellets.  I’m just worried about affecting proper growth since he’s still young and growing (he’s <2 lbs, should reach 3-4lbs).  

My second question is, if I do switch him to the timothy pellets, should I also add alfalfa hay? (since he only gets timothy right now..and loves it..) 

Thanks so much… 

~Ali

[Sarita]

That is true HRS does not mention alfalfa pellets – I think everyone just assumes that’s what they say, but they don’t, just unlimited pellets. You are perfectly fine to feed her a high quality timothy pellet. Yes, you can add alfalfa hay – I would give him a handful a day.

Just slowly switch him over from the alfalfa to the timothy like you would any rabbit when you are switching pellets.

[Beka27]

Meadow came to us at 4 months and was getting tim pellets previously so we kept her on them. We didn’t see a point of gradually switching to alfalfa only to gradually switch back a couple months later. The baby would be fine on tim pellets with some alfalfa hay as a supplement.

[Monkeybun]

Monkey came with some timmy pellets, and she HATED alfalfa, so she’s been on timmy hay and pellets her entire little life. She’s fine

[Ali925]

Great, thanks guys! That’s exactly what I was hoping to hear

One more question though, sorry I’m full of them…should I transition slower since he’s young? With my other bun I did it over a 4 week period (25%,50%,75%, 100% timothy)

[Sarita]

The same as with the other bun should be fine.

[Beka27]

We’re here for questions… never apologize for asking, that’s how we learn! ;o)

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