I have a lionhead for about 2 months. I found him in a box on the curb and took him in. I have Timothy and alfalfa hay available in multiple locations always. I replace every 2 or 4 days but it’s untouched. I never see him eating hay. I feed him 1 cup of greens at 7am and 8pm along with a 1/4 cup of pellets per day at early afternoon. What can I do to get him to eat hay? I provide a bunch of chew toys and puff sticks as treats to help with good teeth growth but I know he is supposed to be eating hay. This is my first bun and I love them so much. I have no idea of age or anything about his previous owners. Any advice? Pic of my bunny for tax!!
by anderson_cl
2 Comments
Yes, definitely bring to a vet! They will have tips on what you can do to help. Plus he will need to be checked out from being abandoned on the street!
But i personally would reduce the amount of pellets you are giving, maybe even omitting all together until he starts eating hay. Pellets can be way tastier to a bun then hay, so if he’s feeling full he won’t touch the stuff!
Are you able to get fresh, clean grass? That might help a little bit if he was used to eating grass before you rescued him! Might help with the transition.
Wishing you two all the best and a happy and healthy life together!
I just recently went to the vet yesterday for a similar situation as to yours. She told me that usually rabbits would go for the most calorie dense foods first which are pellets (especially the supermarket ones and note it is usually more unhealthy than the ones you get at a pet store) thus would not be that inclined to eat hay or leafy greens afterwards since they are full. The vet recommended me to feed my netherland dwarf less pellets (about a tablespoon). And she also suggested to change her pellets to one that is hay based as my rabbit loves pellet and so would not eat hay and leafy greens.
But i suggest you should go to a vet specialising in rabbits to gain some more advice.