Is this too much carrot...?

[kirbyultra]

I used to chop up my carrots into little rounds and feed Kirby 2 rounds a day when I get the carrots (which isn't often) and Toby would get a nibble or 1 little round.

I saw someone's salad once use a peeler to make carrot strings and thought it was a great idea. But now that they are in this long stringy form I don't really know how much I'm giving or if it's too much per rabbit.

I am basically peeling strings off a full size California carrot (about 8-10 inches long)Here's how I do them:

And here's how I fed Kirby today. Yesterday I gave him 2 strings and I gave Toby 1 string but I thought it was actually quite a bit so I reduced it to 1 string and Toby only got a piece that was a few inches long.

They only get it at 1 out of their 2 feedings a day. Is it too much?

Kirby is almost 6 lbs, Toby is about 3 lbs. Kirby is 3 years old, Toby is 6 months old and this is the amount Toby gets in his salad plate. Well there's no carrot in this picture

Advice? Thanks!

 

[Sox]

I personally don't like the idea of peeling it into strips. I cut mineinto a quarterlength wise for Sox to chew on for her teething exercise. She is a dwarf who has a small mouth so I cut it down and the vets said her lower teeth is too long and may be a problem in the future.

Yes, I would be interested to find out how much carrots a rabbit should be eating too and how to work it out. Just reading materials, some say, carrots are too sweet and should be an occasional treat only and others says different. My vets are also breeders of Lops and they feed their rabbits heaps like a whole bowl chocablock full in a mountain high. Like a new mum, I'm getting information all over the place and just don't know what is best! :?

 

[Maureen Las]

The pic with the 1 string on the lettuce on the plate is OK but you do need to be careful with carrots due to thier high sugar content.
I personally don't think that eating carrot wears down teeth on a rabbit; it isnot hard or tough enough

various types of hay are the answer for wearing down teeth

 

[kirbyultra]

Thanks
maybe every other day then...

 

[MATH]

I personally do not feed carrots in my rabbit's daily diet. I too feed twice a day, both times only dark green veggies.

I use carrots as treats. I believe they are a healthier alternative to fruit treats. My rabbit will beg for days if I give him a piece of strawberry, but if I give him a piece of carrot he will only beg for a couple of minutes. So yes, he enjoys them as a treat compared to the rest of his diet, but does not go absolutely CRAZY over them.

I don't feed treats often even though I want to do so! I use carrots when doing some thing I know my rabbit will not be happy about such as a trip to the vet. I feel more comfortable feeding him a few pieces of carrots which will keep him calm and relaxed (one track mind!) than something like a strawberry which has so much sugar that one tiny piece makes me cringe.

But of course that is just the way I do things! Good luck with your bunny

 

[Hazel-Mom]

Math, there isn't all that much difference in the sugar content of raw carrots and raw strawberries.
100 grams of carrot contains 4.7 grams sugar total, 100 grams of strawberry contains 4.9 grams total. so .2 grams isn't all that much more.

Maybe your rabbit just likes strawberries more, and is therefore more excited about them?

 

[l.lai]

i have read a lot of places recommending against iceberg lettuce (if thats lettuce in the images) as they have little or no nutritional value.

 

[Pipp]

I have a dwarf rabbit who won't eat any hay, and in the past chewing veggies has broken off her molar spurs. She always finishes her carrot (she gets two or three inches of a whole carrot daily, depending on her weight) but I can't count on her to eat her leafy greens other than kale and the tips of parsley and cilantro. Never was sure which were best for the spurs, thus the whole carrot. I also don't want to make it too easy for her to wolf it down.

I don't think carrot is as much of a problem as others on the board if the bunny's weight is controlled, but I may try cutting her off and see if she has bigger poops. They're very small right now, have been for weeks (if not months) which is usually the pending spurs sign. I assume she's not chewing properly.

PS: Iceberg shouldn't be a staple at all, it isn't nutritious, its mostly water, but a little won't hurt.


sas :expressionless

 

[tonyshuman]

That lettuce is Romaine. It looks like a fine amount of carrots to me, but I'm a bunny spoiler.

 

[kirbyultra]

Yes it's romaine and green lettuce, not iceburg.

Thanks for the comments on the carrots, everyone.

 

[kirbyultra]

Oh no! Kirby's litter box looks very stained with calcium. Too much?? Is it because I gave him carrot a few days this week? I didn't give him carrot every day. 1 string per serving.

I've also been giving him some canned pumpkin as a treat once every other day, because Toby is getting some for his shedding, so I figured I'd give a bit to Kirby. Only a teaspoon per serving though.

Litterbox looks like this The texture was kind of gritty, took some vinegar, soaking a few minutes to easily wash it off.

 

[Baby Juliet]

OT Who here are just as careful with their own diets?

 

[tonyshuman]

That litterbox looks normal to me.

 

[kirbyultra]

Probably not many, but then again, lots of people have their babies' diets down to a science to ensure that they are getting the right amount of nutrition. I think we get like that with our buns

 

[kirbyultra]

tonyshuman wrote:

That litterbox looks normal to me.

I'll take that answer