Should I switch back to Alfalfa?

[HoneyPot]

I got Misty from the Humane Society and theysaid they were feeding her unlimited hay and pellets, but they didn'ttell me which (Timoty or Alfalfa) - the guy there didn't feed thebunnies, so he had no clue.

I didn't have any Alfalfa based pelletsavailable when I gother, so I've been givingher unlimited Oxbow Bunny Basics(Timothy Based).

She LOVES it and eats a ton of it and a ton of Timothy Hay, but shouldI switch her to alfalfa since she is still so young? She's 4months... or should I leave her on the Timothy?

Thanks guys

Nadia

 

[Lissa]

If it were be, I would switch her back toalfalfa. They need alfalfa as they are growing and thenTimothy once they reach adulthood.

Bless your heart for adopting from the shelter. I wish there were more people like you.

 

[Shuu]

You could probably add in a handfull of alfalfahay when you refill the timothy, just for the extra protein. I don'tsee the need to switch completely.

 

[bunnydude]

I would reccomend switching back to an alfalfapellet. Oxbow sells a very good one that I used with Devon until he was8 mos. As for hay, you can probably just stay with timothy. Devon onlygot alfalfa as a treat.

 

[bunnyslave]

Personally it seems like an unnecessary dramaticchange in diet if your bunny is doing well to me. Timothy based pelletsare not detrimental to your young bunny. If you are wary ofher not getting alfafa nutrients you can always supplement with amixture of alfalfa hay and timothy hay.

JMO

 

[Lissa]

I wouldn't do anything dramatic, just gradually switch her back to alfalfa.

 

[bunnyslave]

Lissa wrote:

Iwouldn't do anything dramatic, just gradually switch her back toalfalfa.

Ah sorry... I didn't explain myself well.

If she meant switching from timothy --> alfalfa pellets, I thinkthe change would be too dramatic b/c after 6-8 months old, the bunnywould need to switch back to the timothy pellets. If Misty isdoing fine on the timothy already I don't see the reason to switch.

I believe supplementing the timothy with alfalfa hay would be better on the sensitive digestive system that bunnies have.

hopefully that made more sense.

JMO

 

[nose_twitch]

I agree with bunnyslave. UnfortunatelyI wasn't educated on the fact that my rabbit should have had alfalfapellets when he was under 4 months, and I fed him timothypellets. When I found out that I should have been feedingalfalfa pellets, I started to feed him alfalfa hay, and he got up to anice weight very quickly. I don't think switching pellets isnecessary.

 

[Lissa]

I guess I was under the understanding thattimothy based pellets were for adult rabbits and that alfalfa wasneeded for growth. :?

 

[bunnyslave]

Lissa wrote:

Iguess I was under the understanding that timothy based pellets were foradult rabbits and that alfalfa was needed for growth.:?

you are correct, lissa, but my concern was switching back and forth ofpellets that could disturb a bunny's sensitive digestive system, but bysupplementing with the alfalfa hay, that would maintain the youngbunnies alfalfa nutrient needs as well.

Of course there are many different discussions on how stringent baby bunnies need alfalfa pellets vs timothy pellets.

I firmly believe that every bunny owner should do what they think isbest for their bunny. It is hard to generalize forevery decision. I can only post what I believe has workedbest for my bunnies.

JMO

 

[Lissa]

Good to know bunnyslave. Thank you.

 

[HoneyPot]

Thanks for all the good opinions guys,I think I will get some Alfalfa hay and add itto herdiet.

She's doing so well on the Timothy that I hate to switch her overcompletely and then have to switch her back again in 3months.

But I will definately get some alfalfa into her diet - even if I addsome pellets to her Timothy pellets, just not switch her over all theway.

Thanks again,

Nadia