Veggies…

[mrmac]

They will not eat them! I have tried so many things but they wont touch any of them! Any ideas? I just switched them to better pellets a few weeks ago so they are now being picky about those and picking out all the old ones Im mixing in to transition them, but they dont scarf the new ones like the old ones but are now eating more hay because of that. I keep buying things at the grocery store to try but none of them! Any ideas?

[BunnyLiz]

I have no ideas what so ever, im going through the same thing with Lucy. Ive put them all over her cage, made it fun and challenging, tried to withhold other foods for a few hours (only 3 or 4) to get her hungry enough for veggies, tried pushing them inside her mouth and nothing. Lucy wont touch them either.

[jerseygirl]

Only suggestion is give them just a little to start with – say 1 leaf of romaine or sprigs of parsley. Give to them afternoon or evening and leave it with them overnight. Hopefully they’ll try it. I often find after they’ve tried something they’ll eat ir more quickly the next time you give it.

[mrmac]

I tried cilantro the other day and the minute they smelled it thew like flew into the air and jumped back…they did not like that smell…

[BunnyLiz]

I personally hate the smell of cilantro too, but Hammer loves it. And mustard greens really creep me out, but Hammer loves them… so I buy them.

[mrmac]

I hate the smell of cilantro too but I figured its worth a try! I tried broccoli too but again…no, and no to parsley, mint, romaine…

[jerseygirl]

I know this WILL sound silly…you know how when your bonding with your bunny when they’re new you just hang out and sort of ignore them? Then they eventually come round and seek you out? Well, I sort of think this happens with veggies too…..lol !
Just put some them in their space and the unanimated veggies will eventually trigger curiousity in the buns. They may nudge them, toss them and even nibble. I found coriander was ignored by Jersey first time I served it, but after she eventually tried it, she went for it first each time I gave it.

Bunnyliz, have you tried giving Lucy some veg at same time when Hammer has his?  Like serve his next to her cage/pen where she can see and make sure she has some too? 

[mrmac]

I will just have to keep trying, even though I hate to keep buying it but I want them to eat veggies! I know they need it and it would be better for them they are just so rotten! hehe I will keep updating! Even if they just take a nibble! I just put some cilantro in their food bowl on top of their pellets, they actually sniffed it…and then ran away…

[jerseygirl]

hehe! No need to buy too much at this point. Maybe a salad pack with some variety that you can use also. You could try strawberry tops will a little of the flesh on it or a sprinkling of apple juice on some greens.

[mrmac]

I only will buy one bunch at a time for now anyway. That was my next thing to try was to toss some greens in apple juice. I have tried giving them strawberries but they didnt eat it but then again I only held and it was a whole berry.

[BunnyLiz]

Yep ive tried that to Jersey. And the apple juice thing wouldnt work for me either because Lucy refuses fruit too. Along with papaya tablets and raisins. So i dont know there is much I can do, other then keep giving it to her and throwing it away.

[BunnyLiz]

Just a suggestion, it hasnt worked for me but Lucy is much more stubborn then the avergae bun.  Easier to explain with a picture, but this way she has to come in contact with the veggies when she is hungry and usually has to sniff them, then figure out a way around them.

[Sarita]

Maybe try putting a sprig of the parsley or cilantro in their pellets…might force them to try those yucky veggies that way by accidentally eating it.

[Cake]

So far my bun will not eat mint or carrot. I’ve been just going one by one down the list. There are 4 things so far that he loves, dandelion being the favorite. I bought a bunch of herbs and planted them in pots all around my deck….do I just go from pot to pot trying things to see what to plant for next year.

[BunnyLiz]

I used to put veggies in her pellets bowl and made sure that she had to push the veggies aside with her nose to even get to the pellets but she quickly learned to just throw the bowl because then she can get to the pellets lol. I asked Dana Krempels but she hasnt gotten back to me yet. She probably wont be able to help but its worth a shot so I did anyway. Ill let you know if she has any ideas.

[mrmac]

Last night I put a couple pieces in their food bowl, I think they might have tried it but then again who knows! Luckily thier bowl is ceramic so it is pretty heavy.

[jerseygirl]

Liz, if it were me I wouldn’t have her pellets there at all. If she’s got the choice, she’ll find her way to them. Like you said – she’s stubbun (sp intended). I’d have only veg there until she’s at least eaten some. One day, she’ll be busting for them…one day.  Have you tried brussel sprouts? Jersey is nuts about them I’ve discovered.

Edit: I’m just imagining a veggie parcel like dolmades or dim sims. Pellets wrapped in romaine!  That way they have to chew thru the leaf to get to the pellets. lol worth a try? The things we do….

[BunnyLiz]

No I havent tried brussel sprouts but ill try so soon to, thanks. It did cross my mind about holding pellets, but i dismissed it because it makes me so nervous! But if thats what it comes down to. But how long would you do that? I think after 8 hours id be really nervous. Lol to the pellet wrap, haha

[jerseygirl]

You could just give her a little amount of her pellets to keep the routine, then leave veg in there for the majority of the day.  If she eats hay and drinks water, I wouldn’t stress too much. Maybe she’ll go for veggies when she’s a bit older.

[hooty22]

As long as they have hay, you shouldn’t be too nervous about withholding the pellets for a bit. Also, have you tried dandelion greens? They sell them super cheap by the bunch here and they are Felony’s absolute favorite. Perhaps you can make a trip into the back yard and pull a few leaves to off up? They really do need some greenery for a balanced diet. I’d try limiting pellets, maintaining unlimited hay, and situating the limited pellets in a way that they have to get past the greens to get to them.

[BunnyLiz]

This is Dana reply
Dear Elizabeth,

The first thing I’d ask the vet to check is her teeth, since molar spurs can sometimes be responsible for odd eating habits. But some bunnies are really picky eaters, and they just take a long time to develop a taste for greens.
Some that really appeal to the most picky eaters are curly kale, cilantro, basil, mints and other aromatic herbs. You might try those. But it’s not the end of the world as long as she’s getting a healthy diet otherwise with plenty of grass hay and fresh water.
Fresh picked grass might appeal to her, if you can find a source that’s not been sprayed with anything, and is not where wild animals roam (as they can leave parasite eggs). Grass is just about the best fresh veggie a bunny can eat, since it’s their most natural forage.
Hope that helps.

Ive tried everything she suggested other then basil and kale. Grass- didnt work. Teeth- vet approved. So oh well, maybe she will just grow into it. And I might try very limited pellets for a few days.

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