feeding and bedding questions

[tinybunnies]

I've been doing a lot of online reading... trying to learn as much as I can about my rabbits. I learned that using ceder wood bedding...is a BIG NO... but what aboutAspenbedding? That's what I have my rabbits on now. How safe is it? Should I be using something different?

Also, what is the best RabbitFood/Pellets ? Right now the name brand I'm feeding isL'Avian Plus. Is this a good brand? :? I know with Dog food, some brands are a lot better then others, so I have to assume it's the same way with Rabbit Food. So, please give me a list of some good name brands.



thanks-

Chels~

 

[Runestonez]

I can tell you Aspen is fine...anything that is kiln dried first to remove the resins in the wood is safe for your bunn!

Since I am in Canada...I can't lend much adviceas torabbit pellets...we have different brands here...so hopefully someone else will pop in to comment!

Danielle

Oh and Welcome to the forum!:wave:

 

[tinybunnies]

Thank You

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

Aspen would be the best wood shaving litter. However, wood shavings really aren't the best litter to use. If your rabbit is litter trained (or you are working in litter training), you don't need to have litter in the whole cage. Litter can be in the litter box and a blanket, towel or fleece will work in the rest of the cage. Wood pellets, either horse stall bedding or wood stove pellets are safe for rabbit and are also cheap and more effective than shavings. A 40 pound of wood pellets costs about $4-8 and will last a few months with only one rabbit. I have 4 rabbits and use less than 1 bag a month, a bag probably lasts me about 2 months. There are other wood pellets, usually for cats, that are also suitable but are generally more expensive.
Wood pellets absorb odour and liquid very well, shavings really don't absorb either.

As far a pellets, I don't know the brand you are feeding. It would be helpful if you could find the website that has the ingredients and nutritional analysis. If you can't find the website, taking a picture of the package can be helpful.

 

[tinybunnies]

Thanks for the info about the bedding. [ I am working on litter training ]

This is what I am feeding.
http://www.lavianplus.com/LAP/detail.asp?Product_ID=26

 

[tinybunnies]

I bought some new feed today, that I'm going to switching my babies over too... I bought Manna Pro Rabbit feed.
I heard it's suppose to be really good. I know Manna Pro makes good horse feed etc.
The Lavian plus, I was feeding, had a lot of "treats" mixed into it. I read that wasn't good for them.

 

[jcottonl02]

I was just about to say, after looking at the website link you provided, that I wasn't sure an everyday food should have 'treats' mixed into it.

A premium fortified complete rabbit food with added treats.


The nutrional values look okay, but not fantastic:

[size="-1"]Crude Protein (Min)[/size] [align=right][size="-1"] 17.00% [/size][/align] [size="-1"]Crude Fat (Min)[/size] [align=right][size="-1"] 3.00% [/size][/align] [size="-1"]Crude Fiber (Max)[/size] [align=right][size="-1"] 22.00% [/size][/align] [size="-1"]Moisture (Max)[/size] [align=right][size="-1"] 16.00% [/size][/align]
A minimum of 17% protein?

Although- the Manna Pro seems to have a very similar value:

Crude Protein Min 16.00 % Crude Fat Min 2.50 % Crude Fiber Min 16.00 % Crude Fiber Max 21.00 % Calcium Min 0.75 % Calcium Max 1.25 % Phosphorus Min 0.50 % Salt Min 0.25 % Salt Max 0.75 % Vitamin A Min 3,000 IU/lb
http://www.mannapro.com/ss_pro_tech.htm

An adult rabbit should have a food with a fibre content of at least 18-20% and a protein content of around 12-14%. Young rabbits need a higher protein level of around 16% as they are still developing.

http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/care/rabbitfood.asp

If you want a really great pellet, try Oxbow :

Fibre Protein Calcium
Oxbow Bunny Basics T (Adult Rabbits) 25-28% 14%
0.35-0.8%



http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/care/rabbitfood.asp

Hope this helps

Jen

 

[jcottonl02]

That was all perfectly in line before I hit 'reply' Lol

Jen

 

[Pipp]

L'Avian seems to be pretty fattening, a lot of candy-like stuff. The ingredients are listed under "Pellets" in the Bunny 101 section of the Library.

I think Mana Pro is there too, if it isn't, I just haven't added it yet.


sas :bunnydance:

 

[tinybunnies]

I think Oxbow is a great feed, but I couldn't find it in my area. So for right now, [ and because I don't have many choices] I'm going to keep them on the Manna pro. I think it is going to better for them, in the long run. Then feeding the one with the added treats.