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rabbit eating habit

22 11:20:34

Question
I have a year old mini rex.It is an indoor pet, but since the weather has been nice, we put it outside during the day and bring it in at night. Since this time it hasn't been eating its pellets, only timothy hay. Its stool has been an unusual light color and less frequent. Could there be a reason its not eating its pellets? I haven't changed brands.(purina rabbit chow). Thank you for your quick response.  

Answer
Dear Diane,

Your bunny could be eating a lot of grass outside, and losing her taste for pellets, but this doesn't seem very likely.  As long as the grass has no fertilizer or pesticide on it, and isn't traveled by wild rabbits or raccoons/skunks that can transmit dangerous (some even deadly) parasites, then grass is about the healthiest thing your rabbit can eat, along with hay.

Pellets should form a minimal part of the diet, in any case.  In excess, they can cause obesity.  Since Rex rabbits tend to be prone to obesity as it is, it might not be bad if your bunny is eating fewer pellets.  Keep an eye on her weight.  If bun maintains a healthy weight, and seems healthy, then this might not be a major problem.

You can read about healthy rabbit diet here:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/diet.html

Sometimes a bunny will develop picky eating habits if she has dental problems, and particularly molar spurs.  It would not be a bad idea to have your good rabbit vet have a look deep into the mouth to check her molars.  You can read more about this here:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/dental.html

and find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

I hope this helps.  Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana