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Higher Protein for long-haired rabbits?
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elmoandfern
Mama Doe
This is what I keep hearing:thumb:
It would be a bit like comparing types of hair on people, rather than length.
I've ntoiced if I feed the same amount, then they get skinnier, which, I believe, is due to the effort that needs to go into the hair growth.
It's no different from them needing more food when they are moulting- which I also do.
elmoandfern
Mama Doe
thats really interesting, i'd never thought about it. is it possible that rex rabbits then need less protein? i feed so few pellets the difference would be negligible anyway but its interesting to think about!
I don't know. I know it's shorter because there are no guard hairs, but I don't know if it's a different type of hair.
On lionhead babies, the longer fur takes 4-6 days to start growing (so they start off with bald patches), after the normal fur. As far as I know, rex fur starts straight away, the same as normal fur. I wonder about Astrex fur though.
Oh - that's an interesting point too - I am thinking about moulting as my two (lionheads) are having a moult and my gassy bun, Poppy has just had a gassy episode! It's just got me thinking about the junior/dwarf foods?
Wow - that's a really interesting point:thumb:
What about them?
I prefer to feed them, they suit my buns much more. I do have a trio on the elderly food, but again, that's what suits them.
I started on the junior pellets because they were all dental, so it meant I could feed less pellets and they would eat more hay, so cutting own the need for dentals.
I think - it was really just the moult that got me wondering whether they should be on a higher protein pellet. That's another good point about having to feed a bit less. Out of interest, do you feed them many pellets, or just a very small amount?
For my average, middle aged rabbit I would feed one pellet in the morning and one in the evening. As we've headed towards them all being elderly and being a little more frail (and have dental abscesses), they get a small handful (between two) in the morning and the same in the evening. The longer furred bunnies get a bigger handful twice a day.
Thanks:thumb: As you say, it's a matter of seeing what suits!
tulsi
Wise Old Thumper
Very interesting. Mottle is a dental rabbit. Hmmm.
