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My rabbit isn't eating...

A

anna2801

New Kit
My healthy 3 year old Dutch rabbit has stopped eating recently.

I moved back home two weeks ago and since then his eating habits haven't been regular. I ran out of Excel nuggets for my rabbit and rather than his normal brand, my mum got him the Pets at Home brand. Obviously he didn't eat it because it was different. (My mum didn't realise this would be a problem) so the next day I got him his usual Excel brand. But since then he just hasn't eaten properly.

To eat a standard size bowl...it would take him 4 days to eat the nuggets. I am really worried as I can now tell he has lost a lot of weight. His behaviour isn't different though. He is still running around acting normally. Still pooing as normal, not as much though but still a bit.

He hasn't ever been that much of a fan of the Timothy grass so that hasn't changed.

Can anyone give me any advice on what to do please?

Thank you in advance.
 
Is he eating anything? Or is he picking and choosing? He needs to see a vet, it could be anything. Not eating in rabbits is always serious, so if he's not eaten anything he needs a vet ASAP. If he's picking and choosing it could well be dental issues and hard things are making his teeth hurt (esp. if he doesn't eat much hay).

As a general note, a bowlful of pellets is too much and may well be why he isn't eating hay. The rough guide is an eggcup, some need more, some need less. If they have too many they wont eat hay, it's a bit like giving a child lots of sweets and then asking them to eat vegetables.
 
Wow, I didn't know that about an eggcup size full for food. Pets at Home gave me a measuring cup and told me the amount for a Dutch, so I just followed that. Definitely makes sense though with the hay.

Just as I was reading your message I got a few pieces of his new Pets at Home brand food in my hand and he ate them! He ate loads in fact. So I am happy now. I shall keep a close check on him though. Thank you for the tips. I am really grateful.
 
That's good he's eating something, personally I'd still make an appointment for a teeth check. Rabbits' teeth grow all the time and if they don't get worn down by hay they can get sharp points or spurs that can't cut into their cheeks or tongue.

If you do reduce his pellets make sure you do so slowly, an abrupt change in diet can upset their delicate tummies. :)
 
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