7 year old rehomed rabbit that's never had hay.
- Thread starter hopthefrog
- Start date
Thank you so much Shimmer and Omi for the advice. I have just soaked some pellets in water to make a paste, as I thought I remembered a tip from RU. I came here to see if there was anything on here about what to do with it now! I am going to grate a bit of carrot (which I know he likes) into the paste and try him with a saucer. Hopefully he will feel more like using his teeth a little bit now. If not, I'll try the paste straight. Then I'm off to search the babyfood aisles!
Thanks again for the advice and encouragement.
Thanks again for the advice and encouragement.
A quick update on Charlie. He can't/won't eat grated carrot, whereas before his dental he would eat thin slices. He is having the Fibreplex stirred into soaked pellets two or 3 times a day and this evening I chopped peeled cucumber in as well. Hope he eats it all, or at least most of it! He likes the Metacam, as he did before, but doesn't like being caught and wrapped up to have it syringed into his mouth. I have considered squirting it on his pellets, but I'm not confident he will eat it all. He eats no hay or grass, even chopped small.
What surprises me is he still likes hazel, apple, and rose leaves and will also eat a little of the bark off the twigs. Trouble is, the leaves are falling fast and I don't know what to replace leafy twigs with.
We're not expecting him to be with us for ages, but he's loving life at the moment and that's all we need.
What surprises me is he still likes hazel, apple, and rose leaves and will also eat a little of the bark off the twigs. Trouble is, the leaves are falling fast and I don't know what to replace leafy twigs with.
We're not expecting him to be with us for ages, but he's loving life at the moment and that's all we need.
I'm pleased he's doing reasonably well. Regarding the Metacam, if he likes it, I would try just offering him the syringe to see if he will take it without being held. Otherwise could could also try squirting it on to the soaked pellets and see if it all gets eaten.
If you can find some Ash, I think that is a bit later to lose leaves than the ones he normally has. Although that won't be for very long. Soon the only leaves available will be Blackberry and you should be able to find those most of the Winter, especially in woodland areas. I would still offer him twigs without leaves though, so that he can nibble the bark.
If you can find some Ash, I think that is a bit later to lose leaves than the ones he normally has. Although that won't be for very long. Soon the only leaves available will be Blackberry and you should be able to find those most of the Winter, especially in woodland areas. I would still offer him twigs without leaves though, so that he can nibble the bark.
We've got buddlea in the garden, but I thought the book said it's leaves go "pappy" so I didn't try them with Prince or Charlie, as we have lots of other things where we live. Don't really know what "pappy" means - sorry! I'll give him a go with some of that. Looking for leaves that have fallen is a good idea, will try and find some lilac.
Charlie ate almost all of his pellets last night, except the little monkey left the bit where the Fibreplex wasn't mixed very well. I'll mix more thoroughly from now on! He left most of the cucumber. Thank you both for your advice and support.
Charlie ate almost all of his pellets last night, except the little monkey left the bit where the Fibreplex wasn't mixed very well. I'll mix more thoroughly from now on! He left most of the cucumber. Thank you both for your advice and support.
I've never had a bunny who will eat Buddleia and I've just tried again with my current two and nope 
I hope your bunnies are more sensible, redmal. I also have never tried Lilac - thanks Shimmer 
I tried them both with Lilac this morning. Good news the leaves are still firmly attached to their stems and both bunnies like it.
I also noticed that the Strawberry plants have still got leaves, which could be another option for Charlie and Prince. Lemon Balm is also still looking OK here. Not a tree leaf, but another option.
I hope your bunnies are more sensible, redmal. I also have never tried Lilac - thanks Shimmer I tried them both with Lilac this morning. Good news the leaves are still firmly attached to their stems and both bunnies like it. I also noticed that the Strawberry plants have still got leaves, which could be another option for Charlie and Prince. Lemon Balm is also still looking OK here. Not a tree leaf, but another option.
Yes, He doesn't like lemon balm, but Prince loves it and gets it regularly. Strawberry leaves are a no-no for Prince (the only rabbit in the world who doesn't like them. I even tried him with a few tiny wild strawberry leaves and he said "NO") Charlie liked the "tame ones" but at the moment he is proving very hard to tempt with anything except soggy pellets. I got some success with cucumber (I think it's boring but Charlie seemed to like it) but even Romaine lettuce gets chinned and a few nibbles only. I suppose there's not much point in worrying about his teeth getting worn down at this point?
Charlie isn't eating any food except soaked pellets now. He is still active and loves to have strokes and cuddles. He is interested in what goes on around him and generally seems a contented boy. Still won't eat hay nor grass nor much veg. Sometimes if he's in the right mood he will eat something leafy, he's just nibbled a baby kale plant, but that's all today, though I noticed he's been nibbling a bit on the bark of an apple twig.
I tried giving him a little bit of dried sage mixed in his pellets and he ate them with enthusiasm, but he's always enthusiastic for pellets. Is there any point trying other dried herbs, or maybe keep for if he starts giving up on pellets? I just want him to have the best life he can for the short time he has. He's such a weird one, but so lovable. OH saw the birthday mirror game on here and Charlie now has a mirror to admire himself in! He seems to like talking to "reflection rabbit" and I've often caught him sitting comfortably chatting to RR.
I tried giving him a little bit of dried sage mixed in his pellets and he ate them with enthusiasm, but he's always enthusiastic for pellets. Is there any point trying other dried herbs, or maybe keep for if he starts giving up on pellets? I just want him to have the best life he can for the short time he has. He's such a weird one, but so lovable. OH saw the birthday mirror game on here and Charlie now has a mirror to admire himself in! He seems to like talking to "reflection rabbit" and I've often caught him sitting comfortably chatting to RR.
I think that if Charlie still seems like he is contented and interested in everything that's going on, plus being active and enjoying cuddles, then I don't think you should get too stressed about what he is eating. So long obviously that he is eating enough to maintain his weight.
Probably not the usual advice, but when you are aware that his future is not guaranteed, I would probably just try to do my best by offering 'healthy' foods, but not worrying too much if he refuses them. It's also not as though he is ignoring everything eg your remark that he had a small kale plant and also nibbled an apple twig today. I don't think I would worry about providing a variety of food, just try to offer things he might be tempted with.
Sending lots of vibes for your lovable Charlie
Probably not the usual advice, but when you are aware that his future is not guaranteed, I would probably just try to do my best by offering 'healthy' foods, but not worrying too much if he refuses them. It's also not as though he is ignoring everything eg your remark that he had a small kale plant and also nibbled an apple twig today. I don't think I would worry about providing a variety of food, just try to offer things he might be tempted with.
Sending lots of vibes for your lovable Charlie
Cinnabun14
Alpha Buck
I'm sorry Charlie's not about to eat more solid foods now. I don't know much about rabbit health, but it seems good that he's still interested in nibbling more hard things, even if it's only a little. It's also good to hear he's still active.
I love reflection rabbit, that's hilarious
I love reflection rabbit, that's hilarious