why?

[Rosalie]

I just brought home my first rabbit and I was wondering why she wont eat hay?

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

Do you know what her diet was like before you got her? There are people who don't feed hay on a regular basis, so the rabbits are not used to eating it.

The type of hay can make a difference as well. A rabbit who won't eat timothy may eat Orchard grass or brome hay. Try some different types to see if that makes any difference. Unless she is under about 6 months old, don't give alfalfa as it is too rich for adults.

If you just got her, she may not be settled in yet. This can mean she won't eat a lot for the next couple days. Keep giving her food and make sure she is eating something.

 

[Rosalie]

I think she was on a all pellet diet she's 4.5 months old and I have Timothy hay thats the only hay available at the stores in my area besides alfalfa and they have been out of that for 2 weeks and every time i ask when they are getting more they say we dont know

 

[Pipp]

Hey, congrats on getting a rabbit. (I was trying to find one for you after seeing your older posts, I'll stop looking unless you want to get her a friend).

You can give her alfalfa mixed with timothy and see if that helps.

Fresh, clean (no wildlife, pet pee or pesticides) grass is also a good option. Once she's eating that, you can dry some and then gradually switch to hay.

Breeders who have rabbits on all-pellets diets are always a problem, really hard to switch to a proper diet. Having another rabbit that is used to a variety will inspire the first rabbit to try other things, but they tend to stick to what they grew up.

Pics would be nice! Is she a lop?


sas :bunnydance:

 

[Rosalie]

yeah im looking for another I want a holland lop or another mini lop the one i have is a mini lop and i'm going to take some pictures tomorrow she's a cutie pie but i dont think she's been handled much but im going to let her settle in before i mess with her dont want to freak her out anymore then she already is

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Ours are all rescues so we didn't have any history to go with them. Peter would gobble his pellets and not touch his hay. I cut down on the amount of pellet and he finally started eating hay like there was no tomorrow. Just keep it available and the instinct to chew should take over.

 

[Rosalie]

should i wait a lil while before I cut down on the pellets or do it now?