Feeding regime, am I giving the right stuff?

[Sophie's Humble Servant]

Back again! Ok so this is what I've been feeding Sophie per day:
Unlimited timothy hay
1/8 cup Oxbow adult rabbit pellets bunny basics/T
2-2.5 cups of fresh packed organic greens(3 different types per day)
So far the greens include: dandelion greens, carrot tops, parsley(once per day), Bok choy, red leaf lettuce. I plan on trying one or two new greens next week.
Ocassional treats include carrot and dried currants. She showed no interest in any fruits so far.

Does this sound good or does the diet need any improving? Any other suggestions for Sophie?

Also, I heard they should be fed papaya tablets to help prevent the wooly blockage? I picked up some human papaya tablets but I after reading that there's sorbitol in it, I may just eat them myself lol....slurp!

I should add that Sophie is about 2 years old and she is 4.5 pounds.

Thanks

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

The diet sounds good.
You many need to increase the pellets to about 1/4 cup per day, but it really depends on her. Some rabbits need more and others less. Keep an eye on her weight and increase if needed.
Variety of veggies is good. If you just got her, don't give to much too quickly.

There is much debate about papaya and pineapple in helping with hair blockages. The issue tends to be that the temperature needed for them to be effective is far beyond what a living mammal can withstand. Rabbits have an acidic stomach, so the enzymes might not even make it past the stomach. I have lionheads and have had angoras and didn't use papaya an didn't have problems with wool. Regular brushing and a good idea are what is really important. Many tablets have added sugar which is not good for rabbits either.

 

[jamesedwardwaller]

Back again! Ok so this is what I've been feeding Sophie per day:
Unlimited timothy hay
1/8 cup Oxbow adult rabbit pellets bunny basics/T
2-2.5 cups of fresh packed organic greens(3 different types per day)
So far the greens include: dandelion greens, carrot tops, parsley(once per day), Bok choy, red leaf lettuce. I plan on trying one or two new greens next week.
Ocassional treats include carrot and dried currants. She showed no interest in any fruits so far.

Does this sound good or does the diet need any improving? Any other suggestions for Sophie?

Also, I heard they should be fed papaya tablets to help prevent the wooly blockage? I picked up some human papaya tablets but I after reading that there's sorbitol in it, I may just eat them myself lol....slurp!

I should add that Sophie is about 2 years old and she is 4.5 pounds.

Thanks

--right smart are we.!!-watch the poops and behavior this is a headsup for problems,--anything that goes in must go all the way through,,problems that start in the mouth-- detected early--can be easier to correct-(herbivore)-here is a link to become a poopologist http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/poop.html --gi stasis is a general concern at some point in their lives,,sounds like she has a very wise,attentive mom,--sincerely james waller :bouquet::mrsthumper::welcome1:welcome1

 

[Sophie's Humble Servant]

Ok thanks for that! I wasn't sure if 1/8 cup was enough or not. She finishes it off pretty quick but I have been reluctant to give her more as I want her to eat enough hay. I have a weight for her from the shelter so when I take her for a check up, we'll see how she is. As far as the veggies, how will I know if they're not agreeing with her? Will she get diarrhea?

James, thank you for the link, I like to know everything about taking care of my animals so this is great! I'm glad I'm on the right track, phew!

 

[mochajoe]

I think the best judge of how our 4 legged (and some two legged) family members are doing with their diets....is them! If she is a good weight, good coat, acting satisfied and happy...then it is very likely that she is getting all she needs!

As for the papaya/pineapple debate....tha is just it, a debate! Who knows! I will say, that I have read several places that parsley is better fed 3-4 times a week, rather than daily, due to a higher level of ocalic (spelling??) acid...House Rabbit Society's web page has a good list of daily veggies and ones that contain more of this acid and should be fed only a few times a week. Also based on her weight, I might up her pellets to 1/4 cup...1/8 sounds a little low to me. Again, like the old adage says "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
By the way, I love your "name " on here..."Sophie's humble servant"... Love it!!!

 

[Sophie's Humble Servant]

Thank you mochajoe, I think I will increase her pellets a bit. I agree with your comment on the parsley, I won't give it every day and when I do it's in smaller amounts than the rest of the greens. I also think that I will just eat the papaya tablets myself as Sophie's medical history doesn't show any GI issues. I've always been the type of person that wants everything for their pet(thats where the humble servant comes in lol), but maybe some things aren't necessary at this point.