Anyone feed their rabbits on a "no pellet" diet?

[CinnamonAndNutmeg!]

Ive only recently moved my two onto a pellet diet... so they should be fine
Like helgalush said, herbies, veg, and haaaaaaaayyy!

 

[chloemurray]

Another option if you're worried about removing pellets completely is to feed vitamins separately. Your vet should be able to recommend something, don't go for the gimmicky ones. Powder is best as adding things to water can make them drink excessively. Weight is certainly a good marker for health but it's harder to track whether they are getting all the vitamins they need as that's often a longer term issue.

Thanks Tamsin

 

[nessar]

I think its a great idea and as long as they get all the vitamins needed it should be a more natural diet.

However I don't think it will work out cheaper, as you will need more herbs/veg to add the vitamins lost through not feeding pellets which are nutritionally richer/more dense than veg.

In my good but fairly vague rabbit book, it says a no pellet diet is healthier but they need a heap of vegetables about the same size as themselves every day. This is why I havent done this myself, as it would work out a lot more expensive unless you grew everything yourself.

 

[chloemurray]

I think its a great idea and as long as they get all the vitamins needed it should be a more natural diet.

However I don't think it will work out cheaper, as you will need more herbs/veg to add the vitamins lost through not feeding pellets which are nutritionally richer/more dense than veg.

In my good but fairly vague rabbit book, it says a no pellet diet is healthier but they need a heap of vegetables about the same size as themselves every day. This is why I havent done this myself, as it would work out a lot more expensive unless you grew everything yourself.

Yeah that's the only thing worrying me, C can't deal with vegetables:? The only thing she can stomach is a variety of herbs.

 

[nessar]

Yeah that's the only thing worrying me, C can't deal with vegetables:? The only thing she can stomach is a variety of herbs.

hmmm have you tried leafy greens like watercress, spring greens, kale (think high in calcium though) etc?
What about dandelions and bramble leaves?

 

[chloemurray]

hmmm have you tried leafy greens like watercress, spring greens, kale (think high in calcium though) etc?
What about dandelions and bramble leaves?

She LOVES those. But leafy greens give her excess poos and gas, so I try and steer well clear of them.

 

[thumps_]

I think its a great idea and as long as they get all the vitamins needed it should be a more natural diet.

However I don't think it will work out cheaper, as you will need more herbs/veg to add the vitamins lost through not feeding pellets which are nutritionally richer/more dense than veg.

In my good but fairly vague rabbit book, it says a no pellet diet is healthier but they need a heap of vegetables about the same size as themselves every day. This is why I havent done this myself, as it would work out a lot more expensive unless you grew everything yourself.

I think this is a bit of an overstatement. Bunnies can live quite healthily on a hay only diet provided that the hay is good quality (like horse hay) & a very good mix of grasses & meadow plants. Some pet rabbits have to do so.
Wild rabbits live healthily on only grasses & meadow plants!.

Chloemurray I've heard of buns who cannot tolerate leafy greens. Poppymoon's Eric can't even tolerate green hay. :shock:
My own bun has a rare gut problem - the nerve supply to it is being gradually destroyed. He couldn't digest grass or hay last year because his caecum didn't work at all. Human veg are a disaster of liquid caecs & gas, but he tolerates most low nutrient wild plants well, & eats a lot of safe tree leaves eg hawthorn. However they have to be introduced very slowly.

I find that bunnies with sensitive tummies are all individuals, we can give a few tips but in the end, no one knows their bun like you do. :wave:

 

[biscandmatt1]

I feel that I haven't emphasised that ALL dietary changes in buns should be made very slowly, to allow the gut bacteria time to adjust.

My own interest has been in bunnies with a slow gut, - & how we can improve this naturally. All the bunnies are slightly different, & the final adjustments are up to us. If our buns are more lively, with sleek glossy coats, & we keep an eye on their weight until change over is well established, I see no harm, & much potential good for bunnies with problems.
A good hay should smell sweet, & have a very large variety of grasses & plants. This can be improved by mixing different hays & adding wild plants.

I accept Biscandmatt's point about vit D3. I cannot find out if buns are like humans & able to store vit D3. Her vet is a top bunny vet. I listen to him. Those of us with buns with tummy troubles often give some culinary herbs as well as wild plants. a selection is found on.http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?t=264764&highlight=leaves+stasis+prone+buns
There's a huge thread (really good fun for us) with many tips about using & drying wild plants on http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?t=239131
Galen is a member of RU & I'm sure would help with queries. The site about plants for buns is.
http://www.herbs-and-homoeopathy.co.uk/herbs-for-herbivores.php
After the introduction you have to click on the Herbs A-C etc sections.
You really must be sure what you are collecting, a good flower book is a must. Do make sure that your bun will eat them before gathering lots.

i'll ask him again about it next time but from what i remember when i asked last time.. he said 'well i take it you have windows' and smiled so i took that as meaning that would be enough.. :?

i will be asking again though as it is something that worries me slightly. although bisc and matt have a probiotic aswell and he knows this so maybe that contains what they need.. ?

 

[chloemurray]

I think this is a bit of an overstatement. Bunnies can live quite healthily on a hay only diet provided that the hay is good quality (like horse hay) & a very good mix of grasses & meadow plants. Some pet rabbits have to do so.
Wild rabbits live healthily on only grasses & meadow plants!.

Chloemurray I've heard of buns who cannot tolerate leafy greens. Poppymoon's Eric can't even tolerate green hay. :shock:
My own bun has a rare gut problem - the nerve supply to it is being gradually destroyed. He couldn't digest grass or hay last year because his caecum didn't work at all. Human veg are a disaster of liquid caecs & gas, but he tolerates most low nutrient wild plants well, & eats a lot of safe tree leaves eg hawthorn. However they have to be introduced very slowly.

I find that bunnies with sensitive tummies are all individuals, we can give a few tips but in the end, no one knows their bun like you do. :wave:

Thanks

My Cupcake had a few excess caecals yesterday so I'm guessing there's something else in her diet that's bothering her

 

[rabbitnutrition]

i think it's excellent to see so many people wanting to feed a natural diet in my opinion it's definately healthier and cheaper
they shouldn't need extra vitamins as all the nutrients needed are within the herbs and plants themselves
there are so many plants that can be grown and given but i will admit that's it's not possible for me to feed a 100% natural diet at this time of year but the good thing is.... i got loads of stuff starting to spring up from last year.
most edibles are perennial and there are also some that keep their leaves throughout winter
wild rabbits survive winters without pellets or vitamins

 

[nessar]

I think this is a bit of an overstatement. Bunnies can live quite healthily on a hay only diet provided that the hay is good quality (like horse hay) & a very good mix of grasses & meadow plants. Some pet rabbits have to do so.
Wild rabbits live healthily on only grasses & meadow plants!.

Chloemurray I've heard of buns who cannot tolerate leafy greens. Poppymoon's Eric can't even tolerate green hay. :shock:
My own bun has a rare gut problem - the nerve supply to it is being gradually destroyed. He couldn't digest grass or hay last year because his caecum didn't work at all. Human veg are a disaster of liquid caecs & gas, but he tolerates most low nutrient wild plants well, & eats a lot of safe tree leaves eg hawthorn. However they have to be introduced very slowly.

I find that bunnies with sensitive tummies are all individuals, we can give a few tips but in the end, no one knows their bun like you do. :wave:

Ah, like I said the book is a bit vague in general. How much would be correct to give? And how many different types?

 

[fluffiebunnie]

I think pellets and veg are over rated... it is nice for variety if the bunny can tolerate such foods, but if not, then being on a decent hay is much healthier for the bunny.

 

[thumps_]

Ah, like I said the book is a bit vague in general. How much would be correct to give? And how many different types?

Oooo you've got me there, cos I've spent the last 5 1/2 years keeping a "megacolon bun" going mainly by diet, & only drugs for the last 12 months.

Horse hay is much better than standard bagged hays, because they're similar to rabbits being hindgut fermenters. Horse hay has to be a May mowing when the nutrient content of the grass is at it's highest. There are the specialist hays from Burns -Welsh meadow/organic mountain. Some farms sell a good old fashioned meadow hay. Hay should be fed freely - never let the bun run out.
Likewise safe tree leaves can be fed freely once mature in spring. A good bowl full of a good mix of fresh wild plants would be about right for a 3.3 Kilo free ranging house bun, who's on the active side. (Up & down stairs 15+ times a day) Outdoor buns would need a bit more in winter months. Perhaps adding some green oat hay too.

 

[biscandmatt1]

Oooo you've got me there, cos I've spent the last 5 1/2 years keeping a "megacolon bun" going mainly by diet, & only drugs for the last 12 months.

Horse hay is much better than standard bagged hays, because they're similar to rabbits being hindgut fermenters. Horse hay has to be a May mowing when the nutrient content of the grass is at it's highest. There are the specialist hays from Burns -Welsh meadow/organic mountain. Some farms sell a good old fashioned meadow hay. Hay should be fed freely - never let the bun run out.
Likewise safe tree leaves can be fed freely once mature in spring. A good bowl full of a good mix of fresh wild plants would be about right for a 3.3 Kilo free ranging house bun, who's on the active side. (Up & down stairs 15+ times a day) Outdoor buns would need a bit more in winter months. Perhaps adding some green oat hay too.

it sounds so nice doesn't it when you think of them eating just hay and grass and wild plants/leaves etc..

 

[thumps_]

it sounds so nice doesn't it when you think of them eating just hay and grass and wild plants/leaves etc..

I think you have a bit of my experience with your 2 poorly buns too, Biscandmatt1. People look at me in total disbelief that Thumper's poorly, "But he's in such good condition". [If they looked at his litter tray they'd say "What on earth animal made that":lol:]

 

[chloemurray]

I think you have a bit of my experience with your 2 poorly buns too, Biscandmatt1. People look at me in total disbelief that Thumper's poorly, "But he's in such good condition". [If they looked at his litter tray they'd say "What on earth animal made that":lol:]

:lol:

 

[MichelleGsPets]

I've heard if your feeding a no pellet diet you will have to feed a lot of vegetables. For a rough guideline your ment to feed the size of the rabbit. That will be alot more expensive that actually just feeding pellets.

As your buns only eat herbs, and not other veggies it can be hard. I find here anyhow that herbs can actually be expensive that other veg.
Though it is summer so maybe the more natural stuff will be ok for there tummys.

I've even heard of people buying different hay in different places as some hay contains more minerals and different minerals than others. Also someone I know (on the internet) feeds veg three times a day. You got to pay attention to what vitamins and minerals are in the veg to ensure they get enough of each and not to much of others.

I dont think its as easy as just cutting down on pellets and feeding some veg and some more natural stuff.
It sounds great though giving your rabbits a more natural diet, tho its time consuming, even can be more costly and a lot harder. So basically giving pellets is ment to be cheeper and easier.

 

[thumps_]

My own bunny has very severe gut problems. I have to feed some pellets but he prefers to go without them, when he can.
He's totally intolerant of human veg, & cannot digest grass or hay with a non functioning caecum. He's now 51/2.
I'm very lucky to live on the edge of a large town with fields & a copse nearby.
He's fed totally on wild plants -weeds, & even gained weight to 3.5 Kgm in Autumn.
He needs about 1/2 carrier bag full of weeds & safe tree leaves per day, but we have to remember that he can't digest much of his food.

Most Buns can live perfecly happily on good quality hay alone, especially if it's horse hay, which is more nutritious than cattle hay, several varieties provide the wild plants they need. It's much cheaper than bagged hay.

I certainly don't advise anyone to feed their bun as I have to do, because obtaining a totally wild food diet is a constant worry of availability & alot of work home drying for winter supplies.
On the other hand, despite a rare & very serious illness, he's lived longer than most buns with this illness, has maintained his weight with fantastic condition throughout & unusually only had 1 episode of true ileus.

A less stringent diet, without pellets has markedly reduced the frequency of stasis in several stasis prone buns of widely different underlying causes, & "mucky bum" which increases the risk of both stasis & fly strike. Owners notice improved coat condition.

 

[poppymoon]

Interesting thread.
I've been thinking of a no pellet diet lately. esme would be. fine with it but. Eric loves his pellets-thankfully as It's the only thing he's scoffing properly at the moment.

They each get about 12 per day split into two sittings but esme rarely finishes all hers. then again, she goes outside and nibbles from the garden, Eric doesn't.

 

[Furries]

I feed Oxbow pellets in the winter, but don't bother the rest of the year. In the spring, summer and autumn they go out on the very weedy lawn and I pick other edible weeds for them. Weeds are highly nutritious. They also get bits of veg out of the garden. So for most of the year, apart from hay, I essentially feed my rabbits for free (they also very kindly mow the lawn for me). I probably won't feed pellets next winter either - it's just the vitamin D that bothers me. The booklet I got from my vets said that pellets were unnecessary.

Pet foods is a multi-billion pound industry and they spend a lot of money on advertising trying to convince you that if you don't feed your pet their product, they'll get deficiencies. Humans, however, are advised to avoid processed foods (which is what pellets are), as much as possible and just eat a wide variety of fresh foods.