Why is my rabbit not eating hay but eating pellets?
A rabbit that suddenly stops eating pellets while still eating hay could mean that your rabbit is having dental problems. It’s a common symptom for rabbits to be selective on the food they eat when they’re having dental problems. Your rabbit is just bored of eating pellets. The pellets you bought are low-quality.
Why is my bunny picky with hay?
Sometimes rabbits won’t eat their hay because it’s old and stale. Many types of hay that are bagged and sold in pet stores sit on the shelf so long that they turn brown and dusty. Rabbits will be more likely to enjoy eating hay if it’s fresh and green.
How do you force a rabbit to eat hay?
Getting Your Rabbit To Eat More Hay
- Keep your rabbit on a feeding schedule.
- Add a sweet smell to hay.
- Try Timothy Hay cubes.
- Buy compressed hay bales (without dried carrots or fruits added).
- Add hay to litter boxes.
- Put a hay feeder at mouth-level beside the litter box.
- Put hay in rabbit-safe toys or cardboard rolls.
Why would a rabbit stop eating hay?
Not Eat Hay? Some rabbits turn up their noses at hay because the are fed too much pelleted food. Many healthy rabbits will turn up their noses at hay because they are offered excessive amounts of pelleted food. Adult rabbits can get all the nutrients they need from good quality hay and don’t actually need pellets.
Can rabbits survive without hay?
No, absolutely not. A rabbit’s primary diet ingredient is hay. They need to eat as much hay as then can during the day. In fact, rabbits don’t need to eat anything else to survive and be healthy.
What do you do if your rabbit doesn’t like hay?
This is because most rabbits prefer pellets to hay. Certainly, if a rabbit that normally eats hay abruptly stops doing so, he should be examined by a rabbit-savvy veterinarian as soon as possible to ensure nothing is wrong, such as a dental problem or gastrointestinal upset.
What can I feed my rabbit that won’t eat?
What To Do If A Rabbit Isn’t Eating
- Provide a variety of quality fresh grass hays and leafy greens.
- Avoid processed foods, fruits, grains, sugars or lucerne hay.
- If the appetite does not improve within 12 hours, or if the rabbit is quieter than usual please see a vet ASAP.
What can replace hay for rabbits?
While hay is a great substitute, it is not as good as grass, because through the drying process a lot of water and some of the minerals and vitamins get lost. Bunny’s Breakfast: kale, romaine lettuce, celery, parsnips, carrots, parsley, fennel, basil, mint, dandelion, green pepper, and cilantro.
How do I get my rabbit to eat more hay?
Can bunnies live without hay?
Rabbits should be fed in a way that is as close as possible to their natural diet: mostly grass or hay. In fact, rabbits could live on hay and water alone, but we recommend providing some fresh leafy vegetables and a small amount of commercial feed.
Are there any vegetables Your Rabbit should not eat?
Like iceberg lettuce, silverbeet-sometimes referred to as chard-is another leafy green that your rabbit should avoid. According to a veterinary center in New Zealand, the vegetable can cause your bunny to suffer from colic and bloating and should be replaced with high-fiber fruits, veggies, and herbs .
Why is my Bunny not eating hay?
Some rabbits are reluctant to eat hay. Early stage/low grade dental disease can cause discomfort when chewing so rabbits may be less likely to eat hay/grass. If rabbits are reluctant to eat, take them to the vets to check there aren’t any underlying health problems.
What can rabbits truly eat and not eat?
As to what can rabbits eat and not eat with veggies, avoid feeding your bunny lettuce. Lettuce has lactucarium and this is the cause of diarrhoea in a bunny. Lettuce’s been branded for causing GI Stasis, a lethal condition. As to what can rabbits eat and not eat with veggies, additional common veggies to stay away from are ; Cabbage. Beans. Kale.
What you must not feed rabbits?
Avocado, Cereal, and 13 Other Foods You Should Never Feed Your Rabbit Yogurt Drops. According to Rabbit.org, research suggests that yogurt drops may contribute to lethal cases of enterotoxemia, “a toxic overgrowth of ‘bad’ bacteria in the intestinal tract.” Bread, Pasta, Cookies, and Crackers. These high-carb sugary treats will really only “treat” your bunny to stomach issues. Avocado. Cereal. Iceberg Lettuce. Silverbeet.