Alfalfa or timothy hay

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have a young lop eared rabbit
At what age do you start to introduce vegetables to the diet? I think it is only about 4 weeks old. The lady at the pet shop says now is ok but i have read not till 7 months old...I have tried green vegies and it devours them but is it too soon? I am also worried because its urine is bright orange but I've not given any carrots or beetroot to eat.
Regards
Robyn

ANSWER: Hi,

I would really not give him a lot of greens or veggies until about 6 months old.  Then only very slowly introducing them one at a time - no more than a new one every 2 weeks to allow the gut bacteria to adjust and/or to see if he cannot tolerate a certain veggie.

THe things you want him to develop a good habit of eating is hay and pellets.  Right now he can have both timothy and alfalfa hay and pellets, but as he approaches 1 year, taper off the alfalfa because he will be full grown and the high calcium in alfalfa can cause problems.

As far as urine, many plants can change urine color.  So can dyes in colored treats and chew toys.  As long as he eats and drinks and behaves in his normal routine he generally should be just fine.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thankyou so much for a quick response,
I have tried locally to get alfalfa or timothy hay as i have read these are good for young rabbits but none of the pet shops have any .The only hay I can get is Lucerne, Oaten, Meadow or Straw. Are any of these any good?
Regards Robyn

Answer
Hi,

lucerne is alfalfa hay.  Meadow hay is the closest to timothy, it is a grass hay like timothy hay.

So you should be good to go.  Right now under 1 year he can have lucerne and meadow hay.  It will be better to give him less lucerne than meadow hay now, so that at 1 year, you can start to take him off the lucerne hay.