Thanks Joey&Boo. And Omi,
Yes it is only as a treat, but I am reducing it for them too. They are starting to try and train me for treats, rather than the other way round. I am reviewing things all the time. Now trying to make treats healthier. They are a bit diva-ish around food. This requires to keep reviewing.
Luckily they love their hay and drink well too and poo well. They love their space and run and are active and play. They love me talking to them, they are at present very glued together and this is great. Bonding is good, but now am looking at next stage of their young life at 8 months old. Would love eventually to get them on fresh fresh veg at some stage, but are not interested yet. Any pointers will be great
I have recently had them checked by a rabbit savvy vet (expert) and they were very happy with weight and how they are fed and their present health and their teath. At present all is good. They said just keep doing what I'm doing.
Treats are given as part of socialising and stroking them and trying to check them over. It is te only ime they will let me touch them.
Hope can change to healthier options and get te same response.
As I write, ShuShu has got up on their usual spot to let me know she wants a treat. Trying to ignore her, but she is hard to resist. They are both there now, just looking at me with their soppy eyes. Diva behaviours starting. It is like they need their fix, which is why I'm looking at it, like addicted to junk food, chocolate or macdonalds.
I will have a look at the links you have given.
Omi, thanks for your time you spent having a look at the products. This is great!! I seem to be on right track. Yes, they are expensive and it is a lot of packaging for such a little. They don't smell like veg at all, just found out. The scents of the food feel also is part of it, due they sniffed my dried veg and then left it. Not a smell they recognise yet. I will reduce the temperature to see if this helps too.
So, what they like? They love dandelion roots, which is another item from pets at home. ShuShu loves all dandelion parts.
Both love fresh basil, kale, some parsley. They will eat home dried apple, but they do have pets at home apple at present. Not a lot.
They do like all the veg in the packets, but at present only that kind, so not fresh or home dried.
I do give them bramble, apple, pear and hazel leaves fresh or dried. Obviously now scarce. They love fresh grass. I give them more than one type of hay and is mixed. They love to forage for what they like. I give them dried flowers too. They do have some pellets, but only mixed with the hay. Also 'natures touch' foraging mix, which a little is mixed in the hay.
They are happy, active when they should be. Rebonded well after neutering, Health check shows to be good for teeth and weight and digestive system etc., so all good so far and trying to keep them this way now as they get older. But looking at things now, without affecting their own structure they have found, which seems to be working so far.
A long post but great to have your thoughts on this.
Thanks so much.