Chunky Bunny

[on:]

Ok, I just got my Holland Lop almost 2 weeks ago.

I was told she was 5 weeks old but now I'm starting to realize that might be a lie. I've read that bunnies need mother's milk until they're about 7 weeks old. Can anyone clarify this for me?

Now that I'm uncertain of her age, I'm not sure about her diet anymore either.

I've read that bunnies need an all-you-can-eat diet of pellets and grass hay until 6 months old. Then you need to start rationing one once per one pound of body weight in pellets, and still offer all the grass hay they want. You can also begin to throw in a treat like a slice of apple or a baby carrot once a day, or take them out in the yard for fresh grasses.

My bunny eats WAAYYY a lot! I fill up her dish once a day at least. Her dish is the lid to a very large jar lol. She goes through a couple handfuls of hay every day too. Granted, some of all this falls through the bars of the cages when she spills. But she's still eating the majority. And she's gotten chunky. When I got her she was slightly bony. Now she's got a nice layer of padding and I can't feel her spine anymore.

Is this normal? Was she skinny to begin with or is she now overweight? How should I ration her foods? One ounce per one pound of body weight just seems ridiculously low to me. At the rate she's eating, I feel like she'd starve if I started rationing based on that!

[Reply #1 on:]

I would go to your state's local House Rabbit Society Website, they have a huge amount of great information regarding Rabbit care. I would also look for a local veterinarian that specializes in rabbits. The House Rabbit Society will provide you with local vets. 

[Reply #2 on:]

the baby rabbit stuff always confused me, but here's what i found from the HRS:

"What quantities of food should I feed babies and "teenagers"?
Birth to 3 weeks--mother's milk
3 to 4 weeks--mother's milk, nibbles of alfalfa and pellets
4 to 7 weeks--mother's milk, access to alfalfa and pellets
7 weeks to 7 months--unlimited pellets, unlimited hay (plus see 12 weeks below)
12 weeks--introduce vegetables (one at a time, quantities under 1/2 oz.)

What quantities of food should I feed young adults? (7 months to 1 year)
introduce timothy hay, grass hay, and oat hays, decrease alfalfa
decrease pellets to 1/2 cup per 6 lbs. body weight
increase daily vegetables gradually
fruit daily ration no more than 1 oz. to 2 oz. per 6 lbs. body weight (because of calories)

What quantities of food should I feed mature adults? (1 to 5 years)
Unlimited timothy, grass hay, oat hay, straw
1/4 to 1/2 cup pellets per 6 lbs. body weight (depending on metabolism and/or proportionate to veggies)
Minimum 2 cups chopped vegetables per 6 lbs. body weight
fruit daily ration no more than 2 oz. (2 TBL) per 6 lbs. body weight. "

also, what the carrot cafe's take on young rabbit diets


i second finding a vet who specializes in bunbuns, if you havn't found one yet. not all vets can or should be seeing rabbits if they're not specialized, and having a rabbit vet will be very important when it's time to have her spayed. a rabbit vet could examine your bun, estimate her age, tell you what think thinks is best for a growing bun's diet, and let you know if she thinks your bun is chunky or not.
- HRS Veterinarian Listings
- How to Find a Good Rabbit Vet

[Reply #3 on:]

That's really good information and considering it's the HRS, I'm more comfortable with going with what they say! Ha. Thanks a lot. Ba-Bomb did get a visit to a vet who specializes in rabbits and birds. He said he thinks she's a great weight. She's growing so fast! I remember being able to feel her backbone when I first brought her home.

[Reply #4 on:]

good to hear. when do we get to see pictures???

[Reply #5 on:]

I had some on my camera but my dad borrowed it... LOL! But I have a new phone with a pretty sweet cam on it, so I'll get some new ones today.