Veggies (new to bunny)

[kcomstoc]

 So I got some green organic lettuce for Caleb today, he’s about 9 months old. This is his first time eatting veggies (I know I’m a bad bunny mom) I just didn’t know which ones were safe and which ones weren’t and there is so much controversy when you are just googling things. So from now on he is getting veggies everyday. I just gave him a leaf (it’s pretty big) and I’m waiting for him to be curious enough to try it…..is there any trick to it to make him try it faster or is it just the waiting game?

[Eucalyptus]

I don’t know any tricks to getting them to try it. Java has such a good appetite that usually after 3-4 tries of pushing it against his mouth, he eats it. Then, of course, he loves it.

As for veggies, this list is very diverse and full of good ideas: https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/VeggieList/tabid/144/Default.aspx

If you can’t find something specific on there, feel free to post about it or message me.

[kcomstoc]

He tried it and munched on it for quite a bit lol it just takes him so long to try something. I wish I could get him to eat it after trying to get him to eat it but he won’t if it’s the first time he’s tried it. He made a big dent in the leaf I gave him lol so he must like it but he’s taking his time with it.

[MoveDiagonally]

Oops. I commented right as you said he tried it. 

If he does alright with the lettuce (three days) you could try adding a fragrant herb like mint or cilantro. It might peak his interest. 

[kcomstoc]

I gave him mint first and he didn’t eat it at all and I left it in his cage and not even a nibble. But like i said he’s almost ate the whole leaf now so he must like it

[Deleted User]

I know what you mean about the mint. I’ve found that presented with mint (and a few other herbs) mine won’t touch it. Mix a few leaves in with other greens and they are eaten immediately. One exception to this is rosemary. I was warned that they might not like rosemary but fortunately for me they do (I have a massive plant) and they will drag that off and chew it stem and all.

Not sure from what you said, did you just give him an entire lettuce leaf? Because he would probably find it easier to cope with if it is torn up, .. maybe not small, but in several pieces. I’ve noticed that mine will help each other on bigger chunks.

The one thought that crossed my mind was you could try putting something new to nibble in the litter box. Adding a treat to encourage good litter habits is something that’s suggested when you are training them, they do get in there to munch, so if you put it on top of some fresh hay it should at least get a look in. Doubt the lettuce will be difficult again but for introducing the next new veggie you could try half in the litter box (that is so strange sounding to a cat owner!), and half with some lettuce. Expect he’ll catch on quick enough.

Good luck, and enjoy, watching mine tuck into their salads is one of my favourite times in each day.

[kcomstoc]

yeah i just gave him the whole leaf….lol he probably was intimidated by it, but he did eat it all and seemed to enjoy it i’ll break it up next time. He’s pretty good with his litter habits except digging in there i’m going to order the litterbox and screen off from the website

[kcomstoc]

yeah i just gave him the whole leaf….lol he probably was intimidated by it, but he did eat it all and seemed to enjoy it i’ll break it up next time. He’s pretty good with his litter habits except digging in there i’m going to order the litterbox and screen off from the website

[Deleted User]

Yes, I guess he may have felt it was a little intimidating, (some Romaine leaves are bigger then my rabbits, … I never thought of it in that way before), but I was thinking of the challenge in ripping it, lettuce is such a wiggly flexible veggie, hard to grip and tear if you are small and don’t have hands. So do think you might get quicker results if everything is torn up and easy to try.

Glad he’s got good litter habits, just thought that might be somewhere he’d catch on quickly that you are offering something edible. And I Love my litter box and screen, one of the Best investments I think I’ve ever made for them!

[kcomstoc]

lol yeah i’ll tear it up next time he just seemed to eat it like hay munch munch munch until it all disappeared good to hear that your bunnies really like the litterbox

[kcomstoc]

I just gave Caleb 2 leafs of the lettuce (is this too much I think he’s about 4lbs) I tore them up this time and he has NO problem eating them lol he’s like a lawnmower for veggies

[Deleted User]

That’s great! As Moving Diagonally mentioned you’ll want to introduce them one at a time. If you want to checkout this link: http://rabbit.org/suggested-vegetables-and-fruits-for-a-rabbit-diet/ you’ll find listed of suggested vegetables, and recommended quantities. As long as his droppings stay firm he can have lots of the greens, if he doesn’t become over weight I don’t think he can have too much.

[kcomstoc]

Yes I’m only introducing them one at a time (he’s only getting the green lettuce until Sat if his poop is still good then I’ll give him another veggie. His poop seems fine but I’ll wait until Sat so I know for sure

[Eucalyptus]

Posted By Grey Dove on 05/30/2013 01:50 AM
I know what you mean about the mint. I’ve found that presented with mint (and a few other herbs) mine won’t touch it. Mix a few leaves in with other greens and they are eaten immediately. One exception to this is rosemary. I was warned that they might not like rosemary but fortunately for me they do (I have a massive plant) and they will drag that off and chew it stem and all.

Java (who has a great appetite and loves just about anything) HATED mint at first. Now, he loves it. Rosemary is the only one he’s not a fan of still, even though it’s a staple in his diet. He still eats it, but definitely saves it for last. Hah. So yeah, some of the highly fragrant herbs can be almost “too much” for them, I think. Cilantro is a huge hit here, though.

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