• Forum/Server Upgrade If you are reading this you have made it to the upgraded forum. Posts made on the old forum after 26th October 2023 have not been transfered. Everything else should be here. If you find any issues please let us know.

Any suggestions for fussy eaters?

B

Beapig

Mama Doe
My new doe Beatrice seems to be a fussy eater. Her fella-to-be, Ham, has always cleaned out his bowl of pellets by the end of the day, as well as eating plenty of carrot, broccoli, lettuce, kale, spinach, green beans...he even likes sprouts!

Bea, on the other hand, will pick on a tiny amount of kale and spinach throughout the day, perhaps nibble on a broccoli head, but doesn't touch the carrots and will leave a lot of leftovers. I've seen her eating her pellets 'Wagg Bunny Brunch' and she is also eating meadow hay throughout the day. Should I be worried/can anyone suggest other fresh food she might like? I've been reading around on here and a lot of people seem to suggest herbs.

Ham is a big bunny compared to her (a larger species I believe) which could account for his bigger appetite. By the way, he's coming to us for good on Thursday, can't wait to share pictures with you all! :D
 
Has she been used to having a large amount of pellets in the past maybe? I would reduce the amount of pellets slowly until they are on an eggcupful or so each. That will leave more room for the important stuff, she should be eating a pile of hay at least as big as herself daily :thumb: she's perhaps just not used to being looked after so well and not used to trying different things. You could try dandelion leaves, brambles, sticky weed, mine have all loved Rosemary. Anything you give needs to be introduced slowly. My current rabbit especially loves carrot leaves/tops. Readigrass goes down very well too.

When they go to the vets for the vaccinations the vet should check teeth to ensure all is well there, teeth problems can cause selective eating, and if the diet has not been good in the past then they could need attention.

I'm glad Ham is coming to you soon :thumb:
 
Beapig said:
My new doe Beatrice seems to be a fussy eater. Her fella-to-be, Ham, has always cleaned out his bowl of pellets by the end of the day, as well as eating plenty of carrot, broccoli, lettuce, kale, spinach, green beans...he even likes sprouts!

Bea, on the other hand, will pick on a tiny amount of kale and spinach throughout the day, perhaps nibble on a broccoli head, but doesn't touch the carrots and will leave a lot of leftovers. I've seen her eating her pellets 'Wagg Bunny Brunch' and she is also eating meadow hay throughout the day. Should I be worried/can anyone suggest other fresh food she might like? I've been reading around on here and a lot of people seem to suggest herbs.

Ham is a big bunny compared to her (a larger species I believe) which could account for his bigger appetite. By the way, he's coming to us for good on Thursday, can't wait to share pictures with you all! :D
Click to expand...


As others have said, get the teeth checked when you go for the vaccinations :)

Bear in mind though, that most vets (unless they are able to do conscious dentals) cannot see to the back of the cheek teeth with their otoscope, so if dental spurs are suspected it will be a GA job.

Herbs are good - coriander, dill, parsley, mint, as they are tasty and easy on the digestion, as is forage.

Some articles on foraging - apologies if you've seen these already :)


Brambles are a good staple, and are usually available most of the year round. Good for digestion as well.


https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/free-food-for-rabbits

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/free-food-for-rabbits/foraging

http://www.therabbithouse.com/blog/2014/06/04/rabbit-safe-weeds/

http://www.therabbithouse.com/blog/2017/06/06/foraging-for-rabbits-5-more-weeds/

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?303114-Plant-Images

http://www.actionforrabbits.co.uk/Plants toxic to rabbits.pdf

http://www.actionforrabbits.co.uk/Toxic & Safe Plants v2.pdf



And a very good book written by Twigs Way called 'Foraging for Rabbits' which can be purchased from the RWAF bookshop


This is a good all round website for loads of things :)

http://www.therabbithouse.com/diet/
 
Amy104 said:
Might also be worth getting her teeth checked if she is a bit fussy to rule that out.
Click to expand...

I second that. Perhaps you could ask the Vet to do that whilst Bea is under GA for her spay. That way the Vet will be able to get a proper look at all of her teeth and treat any issues that may be evident.

One of my Rabbits refuses to eat any type of Veg/fresh herbs. She will eat them dried and she will eat fresh forage.

There are quite a few online references for Rabbit dietary advice, you may already have seen them but just incase you haven't here are a few

http://www.therabbithouse.com/diet/ - this sublink may be especially relevant http://www.therabbithouse.com/diet/rabbit-plants-vegetables-fruits.asp

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-diet/

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/free-food-for-rabbits

https://www.saveafluff.co.uk/rabbit-info/safe-foods-for-rabbits
 
Beapig said:
My new doe Beatrice seems to be a fussy eater. Her fella-to-be, Ham, has always cleaned out his bowl of pellets by the end of the day, as well as eating plenty of carrot, broccoli, lettuce, kale, spinach, green beans...he even likes sprouts!

Bea, on the other hand, will pick on a tiny amount of kale and spinach throughout the day, perhaps nibble on a broccoli head, but doesn't touch the carrots and will leave a lot of leftovers. I've seen her eating her pellets 'Wagg Bunny Brunch' and she is also eating meadow hay throughout the day. Should I be worried/can anyone suggest other fresh food she might like? I've been reading around on here and a lot of people seem to suggest herbs.

Ham is a big bunny compared to her (a larger species I believe) which could account for his bigger appetite. By the way, he's coming to us for good on Thursday, can't wait to share pictures with you all! :D
Click to expand...


Looking forward to that! :D:wave:
 
When I got my two home for the first time, they were both excited for pellets but Aboleth left half of hers and went off to find something else, so Lopsy ate them all! She didn't do that again :lol: Tuesday she was doing the same with grass: I gave them a huge wodge of grass I'd picked on my home, Lopsy was all over it but she was interested in other things too, hay I'd just moved, cucumber (they got an end each), a new side of the hawthorn stick just revealed :D She only tends to do it with things she's not super fussed about now :)
 
Thank you everyone for the advice :D That's really helpful. I'll definitely ask the vet to check her teeth when she goes under to make sure all is well. Will keep you all updated :love:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Normal poop?
Replies
5
Views
154
lolabunny887
L
L
**UPDATE***Cleo losing weight - Now gaining :)
Replies
8
Views
205
Omi
O
B
Just about to adopt - any suggestions?
Replies
3
Views
771
bunny momma
bunny momma
Back
Top