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Wont Eat Pellets...

22 11:27:20

Question
Hi there,about 1 week ago I adopted a 2 year old male who had been shuffled around a bit in life. He is very passive, but we are getting to know each other with familiar smells and such.

Anyhow, I read that in a new environment they may refuse to eat pellets, and that's just what he did. He will only eat fresh grass, which of course I limit, and the other bits of mixture in his food (corn, some seeds,etc). My questions are, how long is this behaivor acceptable for, and how safe is it to go without pellets for a period of time? Also, should I try and give him more of the foods he likes and limit the amount of pellets, or is this just going to relate to more bad habits? If I'm not mistaken he has lost a bit of weight, so I'm a tad concerned.

Thank you,
Mel.

Answer
Dear Mel,

You can read about what to feed a bunny to keep him healthy here:

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

It's very important NOT to feed pellets with any seeds or corn or anything but just plain pellets.  Good quality pellets can be bought from Oxbow Hay Company (www.oxbowhay.com) or American Pet Diner (www.americanpetdiner.com) online, or you can buy good quality pellets by Purina, Manna-Pro, or Kaytee (NOT Fiesta!) from a pet supply or feed store.  

The pellets might not be fresh, or the bunny might have good sense!  ;)

Fresh grass, as long as it is pesticide- and fertilizer-free, is just about the healthiest thing your bunny can eat.  It will keep his molars smooth and it's full of moist fiber that will help keep his intestines healthy.  

If he continues to be very picky about his eating even after you have replaced the bad pellet food, then he may be suffering from dental problems, such as molar spurs (very common, but not often diagnosed):

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

To find a good bunny vet who can examine, diagnose, and treat your pal, please go here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

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

Dana