Feeding Pellets, No or Yes??

[Luvr of Wabbits and Polar Bears]

Happi Bun wrote:

I say yes on pellets. Is it really that common compared to all the rabbit's that live their life without choking on pellets? I highly doubt it. It will seem more common than it truly is when you have a handful of people from around the world sharing same experiences. It's a freak accident in my opinion. Very scary, for sure.

That's what I told her

 

[sarnen]

There is no Vit. D found in any vegetables and grass hay.
For the indoor rabbit, no pellet diet may lead to the Vit. D deficient.

 

[jcottonl02]

sarnen wrote:

There is no Vit. D found in any vegetables and grass hay.
For the indoor rabbit, no pellet diet may lead to the Vit. D deficient.

Wow, I didn't know that!

But exposure to natural sunlight causes the skin to produce its own vitamin D, so as long as the bun has enough time outside etc. then they shouldn't be deficient in it.

However, pellets are a great source of this, so as long as they are getting pellets you can be sure they are getting their necessary vit/min/nutrients etc.

Jen

 

[mistyjr]

hmm.

 

[bunnybunbunb]

"So to say "All this talk of lacking vitamins and stuff is a bit /off/", is totally going against stressing the variety needed if pellets are taken away. (sorry to quote u Sam- I don't want it to seem like an attack or anything )"

What I was saying is everyone going on about an all natural diet being insufficient of what a rabbit needs. It is not if a variety of *real* foods is fed. You should already be feeding a variety but just think... wilder

Pellets are hay with liquid/powder/ect vitamins added. Why not cut out all the munipulation and give them the vitamins straight from the source, veggies/grass/weeds/flowers/ect?

For the people out there scared about putting the rabbits outside, or who do not have the ability to, there are ways around it. Let the bunnies play in a room that gets good sun for a while of the day. There are always ways around "limitations", you just have to open your mind up.

My rabbit vet seems to be against pellets, as well. Whether she perfers pellet-free or not I do not know but she made well sure that I am not feeding many pellets to my pet buns when I bring them in.

Personally I am learning more about no-pellet diet from my piggy. He only gets pellets a few times a week and I plan to pull him totally. I can not even get proper guinea pig pelleted food here so I barely bother giving it and rely on fresh foods. He is doing well.

 

[jcottonl02]

bunnybunbunb wrote:

"So to say "All this talk of lacking vitamins and stuff is a bit /off/", is totally going against stressing the variety needed if pellets are taken away. (sorry to quote u Sam- I don't want it to seem like an attack or anything )"

What I was saying is everyone going on about an all natural diet being insufficient of what a rabbit needs. It is not if a variety of *real* foods is fed. You should already be feeding a variety but just think... wilder

Pellets are hay with liquid/powder/ect vitamins added. Why not cut out all the munipulation and give them the vitamins straight from the source, veggies/grass/weeds/flowers/ect?

For the people out there scared about putting the rabbits outside, or who do not have the ability to, there are ways around it. Let the bunnies play in a room that gets good sun for a while of the day. There are always ways around "limitations", you just have to open your mind up.

:agree Totally agree with that Especially You should already be feeding a variety but just think... wilder. That is very true.

I do think that a non-pelleted diet can work absolutely fine for rabbits, if you know what you are doing, and you clearly do, but for me, a small amount of pellets along with a large amount of a variety of diff veggies/grass/weeds/herbs and a little fruit, works great for my buns .

I think it is all down to opinion, and what truly works best for your buns and you. You have to be knowledgable though- in all aspects of rabbit diet. Like an inexperienced rabbit owner being of the opinion that rabbits can get loads and loads of fruit a day. It's their opinion, but they are NOT knowledgable on the subject, and are endangering their bun.


Jen

 

[bunnybunbunb]

Oh yes, I know. Just like people thinking all rabbits need is pellets. It is ignorance fueling the fire. Or people who know rabbits need more but opt to feed pellets only.

Whether one wants to actually feed a pellet free diet or not I think it would be very informitive to learn what it takes to be able to do it. With all the stuff they are adding to "human food" to day it scares me to think what all is being added to commercial animal food.