jcottonl02 wrote:
I'm not sure, but I think I missed the humorous part of this convo....:? ?
I think everyone here is entitled to their own opinion and their own views on rabbit diet

; if someone wants to choose an all-pellet diet, or a no-pellet diet, or a mixed then that is their own decision, and I am sure they are making it the best for their rabbit.
The bulk of my rabbits' diet is hay and vegetables, with a very small amount of pellets, just to ensure I know they are getting what they need. One weighs 4 1/2lbs, and the other weighs 6lbs. They both get just over an 1/8cup of pellets (slightly less for Benji because he's lighter) and a large salad of at least 3 different veggies a day (i guess this must equate to about 4 or more cups). Along with occasional fruit treats, and the occasional pinch of rolled oats (which they go crazy for!

). This diet works perfectly for them, in my opinion.
I do believe that a very small amount of pellets is a good idea, and unless you know exactly what you are doing on a pellet-free diet, to just add that little suppliment of pellets, to ensure those calories, fat and nutrients.
Jen
I did not mean it as a derogotory statement.
When we can see our human nature with a light heart we can sometimes find humor in it. In this case, the human nature is to want to be right or to be contrary to one another even if we are discussing the exact same thing.
Perhaps a perfect example can be seen in the children's book Red Hat, Green Hat (
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0307165043/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20 ). Two people (in in this case, birds) are arguing over the details of the exact same thing (the hat) simply because they see it from two different perspectives. It IS the same hat. Nothing core changes about it. The details are just described differently by each person, erm, bird.
What we are doing here is not really any different. Some say that a quality pelleted food is the base, others say it is a supplement yet we are giving our rabbits the same amounts of it based on there weights, activity, demands and then also giving them hays and veggies. So what's the difference? There is none. Why the long discussion? Because we all have different perspectives of the same thing the pellets.
If one would understand that the pellet is a nutritionally balanced blend of appropriate rabbit foods in highly concentrated, dry form, they will see their rabbit's diet as pellet based. To aid in understanding this for visual learners, read the label of your rabbit pellet bag, scoop out the recommended amount for the weight and lifestyle of your rabbit listed on the bag, put it in a bowl and add water. It will bulk up tremendously. Not only that but after reading the label and understanding it, you'll understand that it is highly nutritional and balanced.
If one would understand that hays and veggies make up the BULK of the same diet (pellets, hays, veggies) then they will see (literally see) that you give more hays and veggies than you do pellets so the bulk of their rabbits diet is, in fact, hays and veggies, right?
Both viewpoints are correct. The only differences are minor. If the diet you're currently using is working for your rabbit, awesome.

Of course, you're going to recommend it to others. But understand that it is okay to accept that their will be variences in what others feed their rabbits.
Again, going back to a child's diet or intake of foods. As a mother of a very picky eater, that is now age 13, I can assure anyone, that as long as your child (or rabbit!) is eating *something* that resembes food that you know has the base nutrients he needs to sustain life AND is clearly healthy, there is NO need to worry. Really.
If the original rabbit in question only eats pellets, and nothing else, that is okay. If they are feeding their rabbit quality pellets (pet store stuff does not fall into this catagory unless it's Oxbow) so that they know he is getting the nutrients he needs to sustain life, they are following the feeding instructions on the bag, AND their rabbit is clearly healthy there is no need to worry. Really.
I'm loving this thread. It's good and lively and enjoyable as long as people are cordial. I like that we can learn a lot from each other if we make room in our minds to test different ideas (or perspectives).