3 months old rabbit, introducing vegetables

[Bengisudeveci]

I gave my rabbit a tiny piece of lettuce for 3 days now. Can i give him vegetables everyday ? he is 3 months old. i will introduce new vegetables every week but how much should i increase the amount ? Also when can i give him fruits (treats) ?

 

[Blue eyes]

Hold off on any fruits/treats for now. It's best to wait until his tummy has adjusted to the new greens first. Once he's on a daily diet that includes a variety of greens, then a bit of fruit can be introduced.

The lettuce you offer should be a dark green lettuce (romaine, red-leaf, green-leaf), not iceberg. If he's doing well with the small piece of lettuce, then offer a bit more of that same lettuce each day. Keep an eye on his poos. As long as there is no change (like mushy poo) then continue with that green each day.

After he's been on that green for about a week and a half, then you can try a small bit of a different green. Here's a guide on introducing greens (from my website) that includes a list of which greens are safe and which should be limited.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/greens--veggies.html

 

[Bengisudeveci]

Hold off on any fruits/treats for now. It's best to wait until his tummy has adjusted to the new greens first. Once he's on a daily diet that includes a variety of greens, then a bit of fruit can be introduced.

The lettuce you offer should be a dark green lettuce (romaine, red-leaf, green-leaf), not iceberg. If he's doing well with the small piece of lettuce, then offer a bit more of that same lettuce each day. Keep an eye on his poos. As long as there is no change (like mushy poo) then continue with that green each day.

After he's been on that green for about a week and a half, then you can try a small bit of a different green. Here's a guide on introducing greens (from my website) that includes a list of which greens are safe and which should be limited.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/greens--veggies.html

İ gave him green leaf lettuce. Thank youu.

 

[Bengisudeveci]

Hold off on any fruits/treats for now. It's best to wait until his tummy has adjusted to the new greens first. Once he's on a daily diet that includes a variety of greens, then a bit of fruit can be introduced.

The lettuce you offer should be a dark green lettuce (romaine, red-leaf, green-leaf), not iceberg. If he's doing well with the small piece of lettuce, then offer a bit more of that same lettuce each day. Keep an eye on his poos. As long as there is no change (like mushy poo) then continue with that green each day.

After he's been on that green for about a week and a half, then you can try a small bit of a different green. Here's a guide on introducing greens (from my website) that includes a list of which greens are safe and which should be limited.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/greens--veggies.html

What about dried herbs ? He is picky hay eater, doesn’t like timothy hay so i was going to ad some dried lavender or chamomile into it. He always begs for more pellets , i give him 40 gr each day he is a holland lop. I think it’s enough but idk he acts like he is hungry.

 

[Catlyn]

What about dried herbs ? He is picky hay eater, doesn’t like timothy hay so i was going to add some dried lavender or chamomile into it. He always begs for more pellets , i give him 40 gr each day he is a holland lop. I think it’s enough but idk he acts like he is hungry.

A small quantity of hay topper herbs might be a nice idea. Just a tiny sprinkle. If the pellets are alfalfa based, then that amount might be enough. (I'm not very informed on young young buns) He might act like he's always hungry for his pellets, but you have to stay strong to his begging and give his normal daily amount.

 

[Bengisudeveci]

A small quantity of hay topper herbs might be a nice idea. Just a tiny sprinkle. If the pellets are alfalfa based, then that amount might be enough. (I'm not very informed on young young buns) He might act like he's always hungry for his pellets, but you have to stay strong to his begging and give his normal daily amount.

Yes pellets are alfalfa based, thank you again

 

[Blue eyes]

Your original question here was about introducing greens but it sounds like he may not be eating hay?? Is he getting alfalfa hay perhaps? It is paramount that he eats hay and that would be more important than introducing greens. Could you explain what is going on with his hay eating?

 

[Bengisudeveci]

Your original question here was about introducing greens but it sounds like he may not be eating hay?? Is he getting alfalfa hay perhaps? It is paramount that he eats hay and that would be more important than introducing greens. Could you explain what is going on with his hay eating?

No ofc he eats alfalfa hay. He doesnt like timothy hay but lately he also started to enjoy eating it. I just thought I should start encourage him to eat more timothy hay so when transitioning to adult diet it would be easier. But he does love alfalfa more than any other hay.

 

[Bengisudeveci]

No ofc he eats alfalfa hay. He doesnt like timothy hay but lately he also started to enjoy eating it. I just thought I should start encourage him to eat more timothy hay so when transitioning to adult diet it would be easier. But he does love alfalfa more than any other hay.

Also got one more question, i live in Turkey and there are no papaya tablets to give him when he is moulting. I read that fresh pineapple also contains enzymes that helps hair balls. He is not moulting right now, i think baby rabbit moults around 4-5 months. When he is moulting i think i can give him pineapple ? Otherwise i am a bit worried about hair balls. Thank you, i hope i am not asking too many questions.

 

[Lucas the Bun 💕🐇]

You can give fruits like pineapple the only thing is that they have no added anything just 100% pineapple (I like giving my bun dried fruits but I don't know if that affects molting support)
I know there's a Karen's dryed fruit brand on Amazon

 

[Bengisudeveci]

You can give fruits like pineapple the only thing is that they have no added anything just 100% pineapple (I like giving my bun dried fruits but I don't know if that affects molting support)
I know there's a Karen's dryed fruit brand on Amazon

Thank you

 

[Blue eyes]

No. The idea that pineapple breaks down the fur has been proven to be a myth. There is no benefit to offering pineapple (fresh or otherwise). If a rabbit begins to shed, offering fruit only increases sugar in the gut which, in turn, can imbalance the gut flora and cause GI stress. It is the last thing to offer when a rabbit is shedding.

The best thing to help prevent stasis during a shed is to brush daily and encourage more hay eating.

Great that he is eating hay. Alfalfa hay hadn't been mentioned, so I didn't know. You are right to mix the timothy in with alfalfa to get him used to it. Glad to hear he's eating it more too. You can gradually decrease the proportion of alfalfa to timothy hay to help him further along.

No such thing as too many questions! It is how we learn!

 

[Lucas the Bun 💕🐇]

So do papaya tablets work

 

[Bengisudeveci]

No. The idea that pineapple breaks down the fur has been proven to be a myth. There is no benefit to offering pineapple (fresh or otherwise). If a rabbit begins to shed, offering fruit only increases sugar in the gut which, in turn, can imbalance the gut flora and cause GI stress. It is the last thing to offer when a rabbit is shedding.

The best thing to help prevent stasis during a shed is to brush daily and encourage more hay eating.

Great that he is eating hay. Alfalfa hay hadn't been mentioned, so I didn't know. You are right to mix the timothy in with alfalfa to get him used to it. Glad to hear he's eating it more too. You can gradually decrease the proportion of alfalfa to timothy hay to help him further along.

No such thing as too many questions! It is how we learn!

Thank you i had no idea about pineapple being a myth.

 

[Diane R]

So do papaya tablets work

No. Brushing a lot, making sure bunny is hydrated and lots and lots of hay - those are the only things you can do to help with moulting.