Rabbit is not eating any pellets...

[Teddy2511]

My young Holland doe is not eating any of the pellets that I am feeding her, though she is still eating her grass hay, and I can't find a reason why. She hasn't touched her pellets since yesterday morning (possibly the night before), and today I fed her just plain rolled oats and grass hay for breakfast. I checked this afternoon, and she had eaten almost all the oats (from a small handful) and is still drinking. Any ideas why this could be and what I could do?

Thanks!

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

How old is she? Is she used to pellets? Sounds to me like she just fills up on what she prefers. Make sure she has a mineral block.

 

[Teddy2511]

How old is she? Is she used to pellets? Sounds to me like she just fills up on what she prefers. Make sure she has a mineral block.

She is 4 months old, and has been eating pellets since she was 3-4 wks. Now that you mention it, she may just have gone picky on me. The "not eating" started right around the time I started allowing her to taste a couple of pieces of supplemental grain as a treat... I only let her try the treat once, but that sounds like it could be the cause.

Should I just leave her on straight pellets (and hay) until she decides to start eating them again?

 

[Nyctra]

One of mine suddenly stopped eating a couple weeks ago. I wasn't paying too much attention to tell if it was just that bag of feed or not, I just gave her constant hay and some oats in the morning and evening to make sure she didn't starve. She went back to eating eventually, though. She was otherwise normal, so I dunno what was up with that. :/

 

[Teddy2511]

One more question... I have a different doe who's belly area feels somewhat firm and round, and she has been like this for quite awhile. She still eats and drinks fine, and she has carried babies fine as well, so what might be the cause and is there something I should do for her?

She is nursing right now, though, so I don't want anything harmful to her or the kits hopping around her cage.<br /><br />__________ Fri Jan 04, 2013 10:46 pm __________<br /><br />Also, is it safe to feed a pregnant or nursing doe papaya enzyme tablets?

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

I believe it would be safe. You could give banana or pineapple as well.

 

[trinityoaks]

What's wrong with her eating hay and grain instead of pellets? That's what mine get.

 

[Teddy2511]

I don't have a grain based diet, only grain supplemts that I add when needed or as treats.
Otherwise I'd have no problem with the grain being the only thing she wants!

 

[trinityoaks]

I don't have a grain based diet, only grain supplemts that I add when needed or as treats.
Otherwise I'd have no problem with the grain being the only thing she wants!

Why not give it a try, at least with her? She seems to prefer it.

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

A rabbits primary diet can be hay as well. Add a mineral wheel. And give the grains as a daily treat.

 

[Teddy2511]

Why not give it a try, at least with her? She seems to prefer it.

I have been considering at least a mostly grain diet, but I am still trying to figure out many specifics and prices before I decide for sure.

A rabbits primary diet can be hay as well. Add a mineral wheel. And give the grains as a daily treat.

This little girl is already eating mostly hay, and I was giving the grains as a treat, but she decied she didn't want pellets anymore after that. She didn't even want pellets/grain together. The only day she was happy was when she got straight grains with hay, lol!

I believe it would be safe. You could give banana or pineapple as well.

Would any of those things help with her somewhat strange belly?

 

[hoodat]

The first thing to do when they go off their feed is check the bunny berries to be sure they are full size and not soft; also that they aren't absent. Then run your finger along the backbone. If it feels sharp with no padding they are getting too thin; otherwise don't worry about it too much. My buck sometimes goes on a hunger strike now and then but he always stays healthy. It usually happens when for some reason I'm unable to cut fresh greens for awhile. My bunrabs are spoiled because of all the fresh greens I can get pretty much year round here.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

My young Holland doe is not eating any of the pellets that I am feeding her, though she is still eating her grass hay, and I can't find a reason why. She hasn't touched her pellets since yesterday morning (possibly the night before),

Is she pooping Ok..... That is the first thing you check after you notice she isnt eating any pellets.

 

[Teddy2511]

Is she pooping Ok..... That is the first thing you check after you notice she isnt eating any pellets.

Yes, her poop is normal and plentiful.

 

[trinityoaks]

Sounds as though she is thriving just fine on the hay and grain.

 

[Teddy2511]

Sounds as though she is thriving just fine on the hay and grain.

Maybe so.. But she has just started eating pellets again after I withdrew the oats. As much as she would love the grain, I don't think she'llbe getting any more until I am prepared to either do a complete grain feed, or she being bred or shownand needs supplemental grain.

Thanks for the ideas!