Feeding time!

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I have a mini Rex named Rupert, he is about three months old. He is constantly eating, but he is very picky, I tried Nutraphase..He hated it. I tried sun scription.He ate it alright, and now I have Kaytee Fiesta. well he doesn't really like that one. I feel like I am running out of options. For some reason, he will eat almost ANYTHING BUT the processed hay pellets that most food brands offer. He has 24/7 access to hay, and it is always fresh. The only thing I can think of is that because I keep his food dish in there at all times he eats slowly. Now his food dish is not very deep, so I don't feel I am over feeding him... I work at petsmart and all of us there are still unsure... Help me please.
-Samantha
Answer -
Dear Samantha,

Your bunny seems to have a good sense of what's healthy!  :)

Any pelleted rabbit food that contains seeds, nuts, dried fruits, or other treats (Fiesta is notorious) is very unhealthy for rabbits.  I'd throw it away immediately.  Kaytee Exact is better, but still not the best.

We use Purina Hi-Fiber Lab Chow #5326, which you usually have to get in 50# bags.  But you can get excellent, high fiber pellets from companies such as Oxbow (www.oxbowhay.com) or American Pet Diner (www.americanpetdiner.com).  They also sell very high quality timothy hay that rabbits love.  That's good, because hay is the most important item in the rabbit diet.

Please have a look here:

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

to compare what your bunny gets to what the House Rabbit Society recommends for health and longevity.  Pellets should be only a minor part of the diet, with hay and fresh leafy greens being more important.  Fresh, clean water in a bowl is vital.

If he's eating plenty of grass hay and fresh greens, I wouldn't worry too much about pellets. All he really needs is a few tablespoons a day for trace nutrients and vitamins.

Hope that helps. Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana


Thank you so much for your help.
I am trying to feed him well. So Kaytee is better if that is the only thing I can get, what about sun scription? is that any better? See, when I asked my vet about the fiesta, she said that was a great brand,But I will tell her what you said, and see what she says. Thanks again.
Sam

Answer
Dear Samantha,

Kaytee Exact or Fortidiet are okay, if there's nothing else available.  Fiesta is total garbage.  It'd designed for the human eye, not the rabbit digestive system.  

Your vet may not have been aware that you meant Kaytee *Fiesta*.  She might have thought you were using either of the other two Kaytee products, because no experienced rabbit vet would ever tell you that Kaytee Fiesta is good for rabbits.  Quite the opposite!  Fiesta is one of the worst rabbit foods on the market, though unfortunately it's very popular.  It might be healthy for a rodent, but rabbits are not rodents.  Their digestive tracts and systems have more in common with those of a horse than with rodents.  They are *strict* herbivores, and do not tolerate a high level of starch in the diet.  Some ingredients in Fiesta, such as dried corn and dried beans, are downright dangerous, as they can cause intestinal impactions.

Please feel free to share whatever information you think will help.  You might also check the diet recommendations at www.rabbit.org

Hope this helps!
Dana