passover

Question
QUESTION: I need a kosher for passover rabbit food and i cant find one and on this website it say pure alfalfa pellets what is that and where can i get that http://www.star-k.org/kashrus/kk-passover-petfood.htm and also whats dry alfalfa?

ANSWER: Hi Marc,

It is nice that you are trying to feed your bunny kosher food.  I do not know anything about things being kosher but I do know that if you feed your bunny pure alfalfa like the site says that the bunny has a good chance of becoming ill.  Alfalfa has a much higher protein and calcium content than timothy hay.  A rabbit that has a healthy weight does not need alfalfa and the only time it should be used is when a bunny is to excessively thin or for baby bunnies who need extra nutrients.

Any change in a rabbits diet can cause upset stomach and diarrhea.  You can feed the vegetables that were on the list but again if this is a drastic change from what the bunny is used to it may cause problems.  To many fruits can cause diarrhea.  Any corn even dry corn is full of carbohydrates and shouldn't be used.  The only thing I see on the list that can be given in large amounts is parsley.  Cabbage will cause diarrhea, matza has to many carbs, and all the fruits mentioned should only be used as an occasional treat.

The only thing I understand is that it is forbidden to possess any non kosher food during passover.  I do not know how long passover lasts, possibly about a week?  If this is the case could you send your bunny to one of your non Jewish friends for a week?  Rabbits need timothy hay and they need a proper diet.  The diet listed on the link you sent me is not safe and I understand that it is only a short period of time but rabbits have very delicate GI systems.

I wish I could help you further.  I suggest that you ask Dr. Dana Krempels who is another expert here.  Both her and Lee Meyers can probably help you better than I can.  Mr. Meyers is a religious man and although I do not know if he is Jewish he most likely understands your traditions as he does a lot of studying on the biblical teachings.

Again I am so sorry I can't help you but please do your best to find a proper diet for your bunny.

Sincerely,

Pam

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

QUESTION: What if the pellet was timothy based do they make such a thing and where would i get it and then i would feed vegetables would that work?

Answer
Oxbow makes pellets that are timothy based.  You can find them here:

http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products/type/fortified_food?node=1519

Feeding a small amount of pellets and then a small salad of the approved veggies would be fine.  Just make sure not to change the diet to abruptly.

Good luck

Pam