Food issues with rabbit

Question
Hi!  Our 3 year old rabbit Bridget has always been a bit fussy when it comes to food. For a while she would only eat a specific brand of pellets (not the greatest quality either as far as I know - Bonanza) Occasionally I would buy a bag and she would refuse to eat and usually it was because there was a hole in the bag or something and if I bought a fresh bag she would eat it. Her droppings have always been regular and normal looking. Recently I tried very hard to make changes in her diet to improve her health.  I switched to Kaytee Supreme Pellets and also bought Kaytee Timothy Hay. In the past she wasn't interested in the hay at all (and I know its supposed to be a big part of their diet) so that bothered me) but now she loves it!  The thing I have noticed though is now that she likes the Timothy she refuses to eat pellets. At all. To be sure yesterday I fed only pellets and it went untouched. But as soon as I put hay in today she started eating right away. Her droppings appear normal in color and size but not as round as normal..Almost squished? She is drinking normally. Anyway. I am writing to get ideas and a feeling for how urgent it is for a vet trip. I have an excellent exotic vet that I trust that I used to take my rat to. She is amazing although pricey and about an hour and a half away. I have no problems with making an appointment for Bridget and plan to but I may not get a chance til later in the week to drive there.  What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance :)

Answer
Hi,

it's cearl she doesn't like the pellets.  Never withhold hay, it's something they have to have available all the time to keep the gut working.  Since she started eating the hay right away you're probably okay but watch her the next few days.  Don't try that again with not giving her hay.

When trying to switch to a different pellet you can't do it all at once.  For taste reasons, for gut reasons.  Everything concerning changes to rabbit diet is done slowly and gradually over time so that the gut bacteria have time to adjust to changes more smoothly.  And also so that the rabbit, if possible, can adapt their tastes and get used to a new tasting pellet over time and begin to accept it.

It takes about a month to switch them over.  First week 1/4 new, 3/4 old pellets.  Second week, 1/2 and 1/2.  Third week 75/25 and 4th week 90/10.  If they still have not been eating most of their pellets in the later 3rd and 4th week there's either something wrong with the pellets or they really do not like them and you need to find another pellet.  I can recommend two brands that most rabbits like - Oxbow bunny basics T (timothy) or American Pet Diner.  These two are regarded as the two best food pellet brands by many vets, and House Rabbit Society folks (unofficially).

As far as your vet situation goes, I am not recommending you give her up, but I will point out this resource to you:

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

is a page you can look for rabbit vets the House Rabbit Society knows about, and maybe find another good rabbit-savvy vet closer to you, for emergencies or as a new primary, keeping your current as a backup.  Time is always critical but good vets you don't want to lose either.  Perhaps it might help you find both, closer to where you are.

I'd recommend to you to pick up the House Rabbit Handbook and the Rabbit Health in the 21st Century books for your reading and use in the care of your bunny.