What-toFeed.com

what to feed a rabbit that won't eat hay

by Prof. Rashad Funk IV Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Home Remedies

  • Start with some mixed-vegetable baby food and a syringe. ...
  • After force-feeding, encourage your rabbit to exercise and massage its belly to encourage gut motility (the movement of the gastrointestinal tract muscles required for elimination).
  • Increase the amount of water your rabbit consumes to provide extra hydration. ...

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They won't and shouldn't eat hay that looks unappealing. While the best hay for rabbits is Timothy Hay, you can also feed them Orchard Grass or Mountain Grass as long as it is fresh and high quality. You'll also want to watch their water bowl, making sure it is always full of clean water.Feb 3, 2017

Full Answer

What is the best rabbit feed?

  • Don't necessarily trust the portion guidelines on the package of your rabbit food. ...
  • Rabbit food should contain plant-based ingredients only. Rabbits are herbivores, which means they only eat plant matter (though added vitamins and minerals are fine).
  • Consider using a treat ball. ...
  • Always check the nutritional analysis of your chosen rabbit food. ...

How do you feed a rabbit?

Part 2 Part 2 of 2: Learning How to Feed Your Rabbit

  1. Feed your rabbit unlimited grass hay. With hay being such an important component of your rabbit’s diet, it makes sense that he should have plenty of it on a ...
  2. Limit the amount of pellets in your rabbit’s diet. With pellets, your rabbit can have too much of a good thing.
  3. Feed your rabbit an adequate amount of fresh vegetables. ...

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How to feed a house rabbit?

The vegetables which rabbits mainly enjoy are:

  • Carrot tops
  • Basil
  • Broccoli
  • Bok choy
  • Cilantro
  • Clover
  • Dandelion leaves
  • Dill
  • Mint
  • Lettuce

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What to feed your pet rabbit?

Your rabbit may enjoy some of the following vegetables:

  • Basil
  • Bok choy
  • Broccoli leaves (stems or tops can make rabbits gassy)
  • Carrot tops (carrots are high in calcium and should be given sparingly)
  • Celery
  • Cilantro
  • Clover
  • Collard greens
  • Dandelion leaves
  • Dill

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What do I do if my rabbit won't eat hay?

0:508:495 EASY TIPS TO GET YOUR RABBIT TO EAT HAY! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd sometimes they won't eat the hay if it's been sitting there for a day or so so a good tip to doMoreAnd sometimes they won't eat the hay if it's been sitting there for a day or so so a good tip to do is to take out all the hay from the hay rack.

How do I get my picky rabbit to eat hay?

Another way to increase hay consumption in your picky rabbit is to make it fun! Try stuffing hay into your rabbit's favorite natural chew to make a fun and challenging puzzle. Play hide and seek by hiding your rabbit's favorite food in their habitat.

How do you force feed hay?

8:1412:46How To Force Feed Sick Rabbits - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what I go ahead and do is I place her butt kind of in the elbow. Of my arm. And then I pick upMoreSo what I go ahead and do is I place her butt kind of in the elbow. Of my arm. And then I pick up her front end with my hand.

Why do bunnies eat hay?

Hay should be made mandatory for the bunnies because it is a vital part of their diet. It contains vitamins, proteins, fibers that help in easy and healthy digestion.

How long does it take for a rabbit to eat hay?

The amount of hay eaten by the Rabbit is directly proportional to its mass. If we talk about a rabbit about 5-6 pounds, it will take 2.5 days on average for a rabbit to consume 1 kg of hay. So, you can adjust your hay and budget according to the weight of your bunny.

What to do if your rabbit is not eating?

Therefore, if you see that your Rabbit is not eating for several hours, you should consider and make a substitute diet for your Rabbit that it could eat, such as pellets or tricks or any homemade food that you used to feed your bunny. Read Rabbit Urine Stain Removal : Clean Rabbit Pee 5 Easy Steps.

Why do rabbits need syringes?

Syringe feeding Is Crucial For A Healthy Digestive Function. Syringe feeding becomes an essential need if you see that your Rabbit is not eating and has been hungry for hours. An empty stomach will cause many complications, such as restricted movements of the gut.

Why do bunnies have a hard time eating?

The bunnies will have a tough time eating any other thing as it will give them painful periods where they need proper medication and sometimes may need a dental visit to assure that no permanent damage has been done to the teeth.

What can I use instead of hay?

The best alternatives for hay are as following: 1 Carrots for bunny 2 Lettuce 3 Wheat Grass 4 Broccoli

What is the primary diet of bunnies?

Hay is the primary diet for bunnies, and they will make fluctuations in their body according to the amount of available hay in their body. A healthy amount of hay means a healthy immune function because it supplies all the primary nutrients and minerals for forming the soldiers or the white blood cells of a rabbit.

What should a bunny eat?

A rabbit's diet should be made up of at least 80% grass hay with quality pellets, fruits, and vegetables as treats. For a more specific rabbit diet tailored to your bun click here for the Adult Food Calculator. Based on your little bun's weight you'll see how much pellets, fruits, and vegetables they can have!

What to do if your bunny doesn't want to eat?

When you see that your bunny’s appetite has changed, you know that you need to act quickly. Try giving them their favorite treat and if they still don't want to eat then you know to call the vet immediately. Remember that pets can't speak so we need to take the time to understand them in order to protect them.

Can rabbits eat hay?

You'll also want to make sure that the hay is fresh and not moldy, wet, or dusty. They won't and shouldn't eat hay that looks unappealing. While the best hay for rabbits is Timothy Hay, ...

Can rabbit holes act like children?

Written by The Rabbit Hole Hay Team. Sometimes, our small pets can act like children. They can be picky eaters, and like children, they are drawn to foods that taste better but aren't necessarily good for them. This includes foods that are sweeter in taste or foods that smell interesting but aren't okay to eat.

Why is Hay Important in Rabbits Nutrition?

Hay is an essential part of a healthy rabbit’s diet. High quality and balanced rabbit’s diet should include hay in a very high percentage -80-90%.

How To Get Your Rabbit to Eat Hay?

Your rabbit might refuse hay from different reason – illness ( especially GI Stasis condition or problems with teeth ), doesn’t have a habit, he is full due to eating other food ( pellets, fruits and veggies), picky eater that doesn’t like the type of hay you are giving it…

How To Pick The Right Hay For Your Bunny?

As rabbits need a lot of hay every day, it is not so practical to feed them with fresh grass only. Then the hay is a perfect choice. Hay is already cut and dried grass with some nutritional values as fresh grass. Another advantage of hay is that can be easily stored and it is widely available.

Where To By A Hay For My Rabbit?

You can buy hay in a local pet store but a more economical way to get hay is to contact local farms. There you can buy hay in bulk ( by the bale )

Final Thought

I hope this article will help you to get some idea on how to convince your bunny to eat hay. I am sure you will find the way.

Do bunnies eat hay?

Some bunnies prefer to eat off the floor and some like to pull at hay from hay racks. Try having both hay on the floor and in hay racks, to see what your bunny prefers.

Do rabbits run out of hay?

Never should your rabbit run out of hay. Rabbits like to graze throughout the day, in-between naps and especially late at night and very early in the morning, when you are probably in bed. So this is why you need to make sure they have access to hay 24 hours a day.

Rabbits are strict herbivores and should like eating hay

The rabbit’s food must meet two requirements: it must correspond to a strict herbivorous diet. But it must also be adapted to the rabbit’s way of chewing in order to wear out its constantly growing teeth, especially its incisors.

What is quality hay?

You want the best for your pet and that starts with quality hay. The first sign of this is its freshness, because even the best hay, once it is old and too dry, is not attractive to the animal. Avoid hay that is dusty, irritating, or too moist, which can lead to mould and mildew.

Some tips to help your rabbit eat more hay

There are some little tricks if your rabbit doesn’t eat its hay, such as mixing dehydrated grasses or flowers with your hay. Available in your Rabbits Concept Store :

Your Scenario

Fluffy has been with you for a few weeks now. He is simply adorable, has a wonderful personality and has already created a bond with you.

Ask Yourself These Questions

Go through the questions listed below and see if maybe the reason behind your rabbit not eating hay is because of the way you are purchasing or storing their hay.

Why Does My Rabbit Not Want To Eat and How Can I Help?

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.

Causes why a rabbit does not eat hay

There are certain diseases that can cause decreased appetite and require immediate veterinary attention, these are some examples:

What can I do to get my rabbit to eat hay?

If after a veterinary check-up you find that your bunny is in good health, try the following tips:

My rabbit does not eat and is quiet

If your rabbit does not eat hay, but also does not think and is also very quiet, pay attention! because it is a sign that something is wrong. As we said, rabbits are lagomorphs and by nature they eat constantly.

Pellets Taste Good

My rabbit doesn’t eat hay or grass. Can I feed them good quality pellets?

So, What Should I Feed My Rabbit?

A pet rabbit needs to eat around 80 percent hay. You can supplement this with different types of rabbit-safe greens, vegetables, and a very small amount of high-fibre fruits.

Why do rabbits turn their noses up at 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. This is because most rabbits prefer pellets to hay. Rabbit pellets are predominantly made of carbohydrates, and like most people, ...

Can you buy hay bags at pet stores?

Most owners purchase bags of loose hay at pet stores, although hay cubes are another acceptable, though less common, option. Both forms of fiber are fine as long as the hay is relatively fresh and hasn’t been sitting on the shelf for months (check the label).

Can rabbits eat pellets?

Adult rabbits can get all the nutrients they need from good quality hay and don’t actually need pellets. Hay should be the main food item a rabbit eats, and you cannot overfeed him. Timothy is usually the hay of choice, but orchard grass, oat hay and meadow grass hay are also suitable for healthy adult bunnies.

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