Rabbit won't eat pellets? Is that ok?

[blondiesmommie]

I adopted a rabbit from my humane society and he is picky lol he will not eat the pellet food, but there's orange things mixed in it like carrot bits and he only eats those. I don't want him to go hungry or be unhealthy, any suggestions? THANKYOU!!!!!:?

 

[ZRabbits]

Sounds like your bunny has a sweet tooth. Carrots are sweeter, that's why he's picking them out over the other pellets.

I would try getting a plain pellet (Oxbow, Kay-tee, Zupreem) and gradually switching over so that your bunny will be enticed to eat.

How old is your bunny? Any bunny under a year can have alfalfa based pellets (alfalfa is sweet). Maybe that will help so you know your bunny is getting everything?

K

 

[LakeCondo]

I would take out the orange bits. When he eats the pellets, you can give them to him as dessert. When you're down to a week-10 days' worth, start mixing in some pellets from a new bag that doesn't contain any bits.

 

[blondiesmommie]

He is about 3 1/2 and on his paper work from the humane society, actually said he doesn't eat it pellets and now I believe it lol I'm afraid he'll starve, I mean he only eats his the orange bits in the pellets, I give him some romaine lettuce and carrots bc I'm afraid he's starving bc he won't eat the pellets either way!

 

[LakeCondo]

You could try grinding up the pellets [in a coffee mill or something] & mix it with a ripe banana or something & water. Keep the excess in the refrig until time to feed it, then change the ratio so less banana. But I don't think you have to worry about his starving. He just wants to be the boss of you.

But it could be the brand of pellets that's the problem. Get a small bag of Oxbow or Kaytee. You can donate what he doesn't like to the Humane Society.

 

[blondiesmommie]

Well it's kaytee brand now, and I've researched on the net that it's not necessary to feed him the pellets anyway. As long as he has hay and veggies yes maybe I will donate the rest!!

 

[LakeCondo]

You can find any opinion online. According to Lucile Moore's book Rabbit Nutrition and Nutritional Healing, it is virtually impossible for a rabbit to get the needed nutrition without pellets. It would take a combination of over a dozen veggies daily to do the job.

 

[blondiesmommie]

Well I guess I'm sol lol bc. He won't eat em

 

[Kipcha]

Is he not getting hay...? I just wonder because you mentioned you thought he would starve if he didn't get lettuce and and carrots?

Also, if you want to do a diet of no pellets, you need to balance it properly with the correct types of veggies to compensate for the lack of essential vitamins and minerals that they get from the pellets. You need veggies that are higher in nutrients, (Things like parsley, cilantro, kale, there's a list here - http://www.rabbit.org/care/veggies.html) and he would need to get a variety of three veggies a day.

Also, it really would be better to get a higher quality pellet like Oxbow. It is a bit pricier, but I am willing to bet you he is eating pellets and some point and the higher price won't really matter if he's not eating too much anyways.

 

[LakeCondo]

He won't starve unless he's sick. He may get hungry, but that will make him willing to try pellets, of a new brand. Many people have said their rabbits would eat only a certain pellet brand. See some reviews on amazon.

Without pellets, they also need a small source of oil daily, such as a few sunflower seeds &/or wheat germ.