Grass and poo??

[LkristalJ]

Hey everyone! I was wondering if introducing grass to my bunnie's diet should affect his poop to the point that they are not the round ones that we so know and love .. But rather soft and squishy with no discernible shape??

A little background on Moo Sexy Beast:

He was a Christmas gift to me, purchased from a pet store.. Where I assume he was fed only pellets. I've been feeding him a mix of regular pellets and Ecotrition 8 in 1 rabbit mix. With those two, his poopies have been the regular round rabbit droppings. Took him to the vet two days ago and he said that he is healthy and the only problem is a little wax in his ears and I have drops for that.

Problem:

I know that grass is essential to a rabbit's diet.. So, I let him run around the yard and allow him to nibble on the lawn grass.. I noticed that on the days that I give him grass, his poops are soft and squishy and funny shaped. I know his system needs to get used to having grass now, but I was just wondering if this is normal?? It has me worried that something may be wrong with him. I've given him grass three days and each day is the poop problem.. Should I introduce it more slowly into his diet??

Additional:

I saw that one of the petstores has Kaytee brand timothy hay with cranberries for sale.. I don't know anything about that brand and I was wondering if any of you could give me advice on whether or not it's healthy.

Thanks in advance,
Lauren and Moo

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

Most people don't give fresh grass on a daily basis. While rabbits can become adjusted to eating fresh grass, it can take a bit of time. Hay is what is generally given. If hay is hard to come by where you are, you can try drying your own grass. Longer strands are better and it should be hand cut (not cut with a lawnmower) and allowed to dry for a few days (how long depends on what the weather is like). Kaytee is an ok brand, not really the best but it can be better than nothing.

Grass should be introduced slowly. Try picking a handful and giving that for a day and give a small handful everyday for a week. You can then give a bit more if he does well. As he gets used to it you can give more and let him out to graze.

For hay, see if there are any horse barns or stables near you. You might be able to buy a bale or even fill a bag with some loose hay. Horse hay tends to be better than pet store hay and much cheaper. If it is a good barn, they will feed high quality hay and that is great for rabbits.

 

[OneTwoThree]

Lawn grass would be the equivalent of salad greens, which shouldn't be introduced until 4 months. Rabbits need hay, I LOVE Oxbow brand hay, it's fresh and the rabbits love it too. Any food, pellets or hay, that include "treats" are unhealthy, regardless of if the bag brags "complete diet for bunnies!". Unfortunately most companies don't really care whats really healthy for your bun.

I'd cut out the ecotrition completely, for 1 seeds and nuts aren't healthy for rabbits. A plain pellet is perfect, with the Recommended Nutrional Value: (Compare these against yours)

Fiber 18% minimum (20 -25% best)
Fat 1 - 2% max,
Protein 12 - 14% max (long-haired breeds,angoras, need higher)
Calcium 1% max
(this is from rabbit.org, I believe RO has it listed in the care section as well)

Is your vet an exotic vet? Rabbits are very different from dogs or cats and need a specialized vet

Goodness I just noticed you're in Spain! I'm not sure if they have oxbow out there.

Welcome, btw!

 

[LkristalJ]

Oh! I didn't know about that fresh grass bit.. Hay may be difficult to come by, but you said I could dry my own grass?? As in cut the lawn grass and put it out to dry???

I'm not sure how old he is, my guess is around 3-4 months, but I don't know for certain.

I mix in the plain pellet with the Ecotrition.. He seems to enjoy the ecotrition though.. But you are recommending I don't give him the ecotrition any more and stick with the regular pellet??

He's not an exotic vet as far as I know.. But I highly doubt there are any exotic vets where I live!

And lol, no no not Spain, .. It's an island called Trinidad.. Just off the coast of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean.. The capital is called Port-of-Spain due to settlers that came here.. Either way, we don't have Oxbow! lol

 

[OneTwoThree]

You can def dry your own grass It can't be cut by a mower because the blades are oiled and that gets on the grass You have to make sure the lawn is completely untreated too.
Unfortunately yes, I recommend ditching the ecotrition. Its kinda like giving a huge bowl of icecream before a small dinner salad. Super unhealthy Several of the ingredients include corn too, which is toxic to buns.

Wow thats kinda exciting! I stayed at Trinidad at the Caribbean in DisneyWorld Haha, sooo not the same

Id there any way you can see if your pet supply will special order hay for you?

 

[LkristalJ]

Haha.. No it's not the same. .. But at least you know of it.. Heheh

Ok, well.. I just put some grass out in the sun to dry... How long should it take?? I'd give it to him and see how he reacts via his poopies.. If it's good, I'd continue with it..

I feel horrible to have to dump the Ecotrition.. I spent a lot on his and it's barely used.. But it's for the best for the bun.. So,I'd just cut my losses..

As for the pet store ordering the hay, I can ask.. But I highly doubt they will, as they already sell the Kaytee brand!

 

[LkristalJ]

They do sell the Kaytee hay.. The one with cranberries.. But I've read some not so good reviews about it.. So, I'm cautious about it.. I don't want to get caught with an unused bag of hay like with the food!

Yup, I'm trying to ask around about horses/stables.

Thanks!

 

[OneTwoThree]

I'd buy the Kaytee in the interment and pick out the treats. It's better than nothing, and rabbits need a LOT of hay to keep their gut moving and their teeth trimmed. I've bought some and it wasn't their favorite, but they would eat it.

 

[JimD]

I'm sorry....I deleted my post because it duplicated what some others had already posted.

It's a good idea to check with the local horse farms, riding stables....or even the racetrack, too.

 

[LkristalJ]

It won't contain any preservatives or anything bad for him right?? :blushan:

 

[LkristalJ]

JimD wrote:

I'm sorry....I deleted my post because it duplicated what some others had already posted.

It's a good idea to check with the local horse farms, riding stables....or even the racetrack, too.

Thank you.. There's a racetrack close to me.. I didn't think of them!

 

[JimD]

Race horses usually get the best of everything. Their owners invest a LOT of money in them and want them in tip tip condition at all times.

We have a track not far from us and they have a dedicated supplier for hay. I managed to talk them into selling me a bale and it was WONDERFUL quality.

 

[LkristalJ]

I just called around and apparently they just feed them freshly cut grass.. :| .. So, I think I'm going to have to make the hay myself..

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Think they are full of it--they'd have to be cutting everyday and then there is a whole lot of logistics to get it there. Could you go to the stables or a stable nearby and talk to someone face to face about obtaining hay. If not, you'll have to cut and dry.