Doesn't like pellets

[PolishRabbitmama]

We have a 3 1/2 mos old polish and he isn't eating much of his pellets. He loves his Timothy Hay and his veg. He eats basil and cilantro without a problem. But he doesn't eat alot of pellets. He's about 1 1/2 pounds. How much pellets should he be eating. We put a 1/4 of a cup of pellets in his bowl and he barely eats them. But the other food he devours.
Thank you!

 

[PaGal]

What brand and type of pellets are you feeding him?

I have heard from reading other peoples posts that some have buns that will eat one brand of pellet and not of another brand. Maybe it is the brand of pellets you are feeding.

I feed Sothern States brand and I swear it is bunny crack for my three buns. They are all crazy for their pellets and even the shy ones will run over me and jump on me at meal time.

It also may be that he just prefers the taste of hay and his veggies over that of the pellets.

 

[majorv]

If he's eating 1/4 cup of pellets each day then that's okay. Are you feeding an alfalfa based or timothy based pellet?


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[existenziell]

This is kind of a good thing. Two of my rabbits can't get enough of their pellets and dislike eating their hay. It's better to have a rabbit that dislikes pellets and prefers hay.

Some people may disagree with this, but technically rabbits don't need pellets in order to live a healthy life. They don't eat pellets in the wild and can get their nutrients from fresh veggies and hay. The pellets serve as a kind of nutritional supplement, but they aren't necessary. I wouldn't be too worried about your bun not eating many pellets. It's better for him, actually, because gorging on pellets can lead to overgrown back teeth and obesity.

If you are really concerned about it, you can try switching up the brand. All of my rabbits eat Oxbow, and they seem to love the pellets. Kaytee is also a good option.

 

[PolishRabbitmama]

He's eating plenty of hay and loves his veg. It could be because the pellets are alfalfa based. He loves to eat his timothy hay. He poops regularly also. I agree it just could be he dislikes the pellets. He eats a little bit of pellets. Just not a whole 1/4 cup. It's like the top part of the bowl he eats. I think he's ok though as he devours his hay overnight.

 

[majorv]

It's your call but because of his young age it's important that he get the vitamins/minerals he needs while growing. Hay doesn't provide that like pellets do. You can feed a rabbit a well balanced diet without pellets, but it takes research and a wide variety of greens/veggies to do it. At his young age it might not be easy since his digestive system is young. Maybe he's eating so much hay he's not as hungry for the pellets, or you could try switching to a Timothy pellet...just a thought.


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[Nancy McClelland]

Our vet says that bunnies can do fine on hay and veggies and prefers that they aren't given pellets. Some of ours are little hogs while others will only eat a small amount so it takes three days or more to finish a quarter cup.

 

[majorv]

I respect vet's knowledge on many things, but when it comes to rabbits I find practical knowledge to be of more value. Maybe it comes from raising rabbits.