What needs to be in my 5-yr old’s tummy?

[nikiway]

This site has been so helpful for most of my questions!  I love that I can search and find what I need!!

I’ve been reading a lot online for a while now, but cannot seem to find a straight answer.   What should I be feeding my bun?  I’ve seen so many different answers, all contradicting one another.
The first food I bought was a mix, but I found that there was corn in it, so it was trashed then I tried Fiesta.  It too is a mix, but doesn’t have corn.

Several sites have said that “pet store” foods aren’t good for older bunnies.  Some also say that “petstore” hay isn’t good either.

My Atticus doesn’t eat carrots, romain, celery, or anything else I’ve tried.  

Is there a food that I can buy that will be healthy for him especially since he definitly ISN’T getting his recomended vegetable intake?

[Sarita]

That is frustrating when they won’t eat greens – I say keep offering him greens (small amounts so you don’t waste them) to encourage him to try them. He probably never had greens or vegetables before.

You want a high quality timothy based pellet without the added extra’s. If you live near a Petsmart it is my understanding they now sell Oxbow which has high quality pellets and hay.

How is he with the hay?

[nikiway]

Thanks for the response!
Petsmart is about a 30 minute drive from my house and we just went yesterday for the cats! There’s a Pet Suplies Plus right down the street, so I will call them before I drive that far.
As for his hay, it seems that some days he eats a ton while others it just sits in the bowl and basket. I do see him nibbling sometimes on the slow days, but not enough to talk about.
I did just order some Orchard hay from the site a few minutes ago, so hopefully it will make him a little more excited for it.

[Sarita]

I doubt they have Oxbow at Pets Supplies Plus – ask them if they have Kaytee Timothy Complete Rabbit.

[nikiway]

Are they the same quality? If the Oxbow is better, I’ll drive up to PetSmart.

[Binkles]

=x Just thought I’d pop in real fast and say that in addition to having a lot of not-so-good-for-a-bunny additives mixed in to it, it looks like that Fiesta stuff also has whole sunflower seeds -which can be REALLY dangerous because the shards of shell can get down in the bun’s tummy and cut it up.

Edit: Oxbow is DEFINITELY better. Just a constant rule of thumb -Oxbow is almost ALWAYS better. (I have yet to see a case in which it’s not..?)

[nikiway]

aye! I wish bun food was as easy as cat/dog food! It only took me a few hours to decide on which food to get them… this is going to be the third bag of rabbit food in three weeks! hah, oh well.
I was planning on going up to Petsmart, but my car is having a tire issue and my mom is taking my brother to boyscouts.

I picked out a serving of the Fiesta pellets. I made sure there were none of the seeds/shells. Hopefully he’ll be fine til tomorrow. 🙁

[Sarita]

Yes Oxbow is better but the Kaytee Timothy Complete is better than the Kaytee Fiesta and may be easier for you to find in a store otherwise you have to order on-line.

[nikiway]

Oxbow is only online? I didn’t look that close at Petsmart’s site to see if it was online only. I will check it out.

[Sarita]

Sorry – on-line through Oxbow. I understand though that it is carried at Petsmart stores so I would call the one you go to and just verify they are indeed carrying it.

[kimberleyanddarren]

pellets are much better than a mix, also some buns dont eat veg until they ahve seen it 4 or more times so keep trying.

[JK]

Oh that Fiesta is awful!  Oxbow pellets are sold at a lot of pet stores here.  I would call around. These are the ones you want for adult rabbits.

Bunny Basics/T

Bunny Basics/T is specifically designed to meet the particular nutritional needs of adult rabbits. Timothy grass hay provides the fiber necessary to maintain digestive health and makes Bunny Basics/T the exotic veterinarians’ #1 choice for adult rabbits. Learn more about Bunny Basics/T.

[nikiway]

lol alright. I’m going to call petsmart then see if my cousin wants to take a drive with me. I hate not being able to drive myself!
Right now Atti only has pellets along with his hay and water and the hopeless plate of veggies.

Thanks for all the great help! I will feel so much better when I see him eating a food that’s actually good for him!

[JK]

Also make sure to read Diet under Bunny Info above for a complete list of veggies to feed your rabbit. as well as pellets and acceptable treats  There must be something he will like.  Parsley? Have you tried organic baby greens?  I would still offer them.  I can’t imagine a rabbit that won’t eat greens!

[nikiway]

Posted By knowltons4 on 08/19/2008 2:24 PM

Also make sure to read Diet under Bunny Info above for a complete list of veggies to feed your rabbit. as well as pellets and acceptable treats  There must be something he will like.  Parsley? Have you tried organic baby greens?  I would still offer them.  I can’t imagine a rabbit that won’t eat greens!

I have the list printed out a couple times.  I haven’t done any fresh herbs yet.  My aunt grows them though, so maybe she’ll let me try some before I go buying a bunch.  Alright, I got a ride to petsmart, but I have to pay for dinner! lol, I guess Atti is worth it!

 

Thanks again! you’ve all been awesome!

[kimberleyanddarren]

let us know how it goes!

[bunnytowne]

I am finding something strange with bun pellets. I have been going over their diff kinds of pelletted food for buns. INgredients and such. I am finding in regular pellet only feed that corn is an ingredient in a lot of them. But not all.

Weird.  It can be very confusing. The more I look the more confused I get ehehee. Well Nupreem oxbow and kaytee timothy all have timothy instead of alfalfa.

[Ana]

You can buy directly from Oxbow and they have pretty good prices. As for hay, try a variety. Keep trying veggies– all different kinds. My bunny LOVES Kale and collards. Maybe even try slivers of fruit and carrot– not as healthy, but maybe that’ll help with eating fresh foods. Also, clean them well and leave them dripping wet. I’d omit the salt wheel if your bun is drinking water. Salt wheels dehydrate, and if your bun is drinking he doesn’t need to be dehydrated more.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

WELCOME! Sounds like your questions are answered -I won’t butt in

[nikiway]

Posted By furbaby on 08/19/2008 4:09 PM
Salt wheels dehydrate, and if your bun is drinking he doesn’t need to be dehydrated more.

Is the mineral wheel okay then?  I’m about to go and check up on him and see if he likes the Oxbow.   I mixed a little of it with some of the fiesta pellets. (I seperated all the pellets from the seeds earlier)
You’ve all been so much help! I really appreciate it and thankyou-thankyou-thankyou!

[JK]

Honestly I would not be giving your rabbit any kind of mineral wheel or salt wheel.  Your bun should be getting what he needs nutritionally from fresh foods, hay & pellets.

[Author]

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