Is your rabbit giving you sideways glances when you put down their hay? Do they snub their nose at the sight of fresh greens? Having a picky eater rabbit can be frustrating and concerning. But don’t worry, with some patience and creativity, you can get even the fussiest bunny munching on hay and greens in no time. We’ve compiled the top tried and true tips to entice your rabbit’s appetite and get them hopping happily towards a healthy diet. From offering new types of hay to sneaking veggies into fun toys, read on to learn the secrets to convincing a persnickety rabbit that hay and greens are the most delicious foods on the planet!
What is a healthy diet for rabbits?
A healthy diet for rabbits consists mainly of hay, some fresh vegetables, and a small amount of pellets. The bulk of a rabbit's diet, around 75%, should be good quality hay. Hay provides fibre which is essential for good dental health and digestive function. The fibre in hay also helps prevent obesity. Fresh vegetables should make up around 20% of the diet. Leafy greens like romaine lettuce, kale and parsley are great choices. Vegetables provide important vitamins and minerals. Finally, a small amount of pellets, around 5% of the diet, provides concentrated nutrition.
Feeding the proper portions of hay, vegetables and pellets is important for your rabbit's health. An overweight rabbit is prone to many issues like sore hocks and uterine cancer. Underweight rabbits may suffer malnourishment and dental issues from lack of fibre. That's why sticking to the proper ratios of hay, vegetables and pellets is so important.
Why is hay so important?
Hay is essential to a rabbit's diet for several reasons:
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It provides fibre – The long strands of hay are digested slowly, providing a constant source of fibre. This fibre plays several critical roles. It promotes dental health by wearing teeth down. Overgrown teeth lead to painful dental spurs. Hay fibre also keeps things moving through the digestive tract to prevent dangerous slowdowns.
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It provides nutrients – Hay contains vitamins, minerals and protein. Good quality hay satisfies nutritional requirements to keep your rabbit healthy.
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It prevents obesity – With high fibre and low calories, hay fills up your rabbit so they eat fewer high calorie foods like pellets. This helps prevent obesity and related illnesses.
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It promotes foraging – Rabbits want to nibble all day long. Hay satisfies this natural urge to gnaw and forage.
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It prevents boredom – Chewing hay keeps rabbits busy and focused. This prevents destructive or anxious behaviors.
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It wears teeth down – Rabbits teeth grow continuously throughout their life. Hay helps file teeth down to a healthy length.
With all these benefits, it's clear why hay is the most important part of your rabbit's diet. High quality hay should be available at all times. Make sure your rabbit always has enough hay to chew and nibble all day long.
Health concerns for picky eater rabbits
Rabbits who are picky eaters or refuse hay are prone to some significant health problems. Here are some of the main concerns:
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Dental Disease – Rabbits teeth grow constantly. Without hay to grind them down, they develop sharp points and painful dental spurs. These make eating even more difficult.
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GI Stasis – Without enough fibre from hay, digestion slows down and can completely stop. This gastrointestinal stasis is frequently fatal if not treated immediately.
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Obesity – Picky eaters may fill up on more calorie-dense foods like pellets. This leads to obesity and related issues like sore hocks and uterine cancer.
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Malnourishment – Fussy eaters who don't get proper nutrition from hay risk vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
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Boredom – Rabbits deprived of hay to chew on often develop destructive chewing habits from boredom and frustration.
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Lack of Fitness – Hay chewing provides exercise for jaw muscles. Picky rabbits may have weaker jaws and teeth.
The best way to avoid these issues is to identify and address the cause for picky hay eating early on. Make hay a regular part of the daily diet. This stimulates appetite and healthy digestion. With time and patience, even picky eaters will be hopping happily through their hay.
10 Ways to get your rabbit to eat their hay
1. Mix in different types of hay
Rabbits can get bored of eating the same old hay day after day. Mix it up by combining several types of grass hays. Try offering orchard grass, oat hay and timothy hay. You can also add a handful of alfalfa as a treat. Rotating different hays keeps things interesting.
2. Mix daily pellets or greens in the hay
Sometimes rabbits reject hay if they know pellets or greens are coming. Mix a small portion of pellets or a few favorite greens right into the hay. This encourages them to dive in since they know a reward is hidden inside.
3. Use different types of hay racks
Simple hay racks or piles may not pique your rabbit's curiosity. Try different containers like cardboard boxes with openings, wicker baskets or paper bags. Filling these novel containers with hay makes it more intriguing.
4. Look for fresh hay
Old, dried out hay is unappetizing. Shop for a fresh, green batch of hay. Proper storage to retain moisture and smell will also make it more enticing. Close bags tightly or place hay in a container with ventilation holes.
5. Periodically rearrange the hay
Sometimes rabbits get bored of hay always being in the same place. Move racks around to capture interest. Scatter small piles in new areas to spark foraging instincts. Changing the location from time to time makes it new again.
6. Replace with fresh hay every day
Rabbits like fresh hay. Don't just top off the rack, dump it out entirely and provide a full fresh batch in the morning. This mimics their natural grazing in the wild.
7. Avoid overfeeding on other foods
If your rabbit is filling up on too many pellets, greens or treats, they'll have no appetite for hay. Stick to the proper portions to leave room for hay consumption.
8. Place the hay next to the litter box
Rabbits like to nibble while they poop. Try moving hay to corners or areas where your rabbit likes to use their litter box. This makes it easy to munch during and after bathroom breaks.
9. Use hay in fun toys
Get creative by stuffing hay into rollers, balls and other interactive toys. The fun factor may motivate them to dig in. You can also hide treats in hay-filled toys as reward for playing.
10. Give hay cubes as treats
Some rabbits go crazy for compressed hay cubes or biscuits. Offer these as you would any other treat to get your rabbit more interested in hay's delicious taste. Just don't replace their regular hay entirely with these higher calorie treats.
With some creativity and patience, you can get even the pickiest rabbit munching on hay. Try different tactics until you find the ones that work for your bunny. Having plenty of fresh hay available is key to keeping your rabbit happy and healthy.
What if your rabbit refuses to eat pellets?
Pellets provide important nutrients, so a rabbit refusing pellets can be problematic. Here are some tips to convince your rabbit to eat their pellets:
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Try different pellet types – Experiment with different brands, textures and flavors. Some rabbits just don't like a particular type of pellet.
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Mix pellets into hay – Blend a small amount of pellets into the hay. As they eat the hay, they'll ingest the pellets too.
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Mash pellets and mix with water – Crush pellets and moisten into a mash. The texture and extra enticing smell may get your rabbit to eat it.
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Offer pellets by hand – Hand feeding a few pellets at a time may jump start your rabbit's appetite for them.
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Use pellets in a food toy – Place pellets in a ball or toy that your rabbit has to roll around to get the food out.
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Allow access only at set times – Instead of free feeding pellets, give them for a short time right before you feed veggies. Hunger may drive them to eat.
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Check teeth and mouth – Dental pain may cause rabbit to avoid hard pellets. Have your vet check for issues.
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Consider powdered supplements – If your rabbit continues refusing pellets, ask your vet about powdered supplements to add the nutrients another way.
With some creativity and persistence, you can usually get your rabbit to accept pellets. Be patient and try different approaches until you find one that works. However, if they persistently refuse, consult a rabbit-savvy vet.
Some tips to convince your rabbit to eat their greens:
Greens are an important source of vitamins, minerals and water for rabbits. Here are some tips for getting a picky rabbit to eat their veggies:
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Introduce greens slowly – Sudden large portions may scare off picky eaters. Start with a leaf or two and gradually increase.
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Try a variety – Keep trying different greens until you find the ones your rabbit likes best. Popular greens are cilantro, kale, parsley, basil, mint and arugula. Offer a salad bar of 2-3 greens at once.
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Mix in shredded carrots – Carrot pieces may entice them to munch the surrounding greens. Remove carrots once they start eating the greens willingly.
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Hand feed small pieces – Gently hand feeding can teach your rabbit to accept greens. Once they start eating them from your hand, put small piles on the floor.
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Lightly mist greens with water – The extra moisture can make greens more palatable and fragrant.
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Offer after exercise – Hungry rabbits are more likely to eat new foods. Try greens after playtime when your rabbit is ready to refuel.
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Demonstrate eating greens – Some rabbits will copy you eating greens yourself. Sit on the floor and enjoy your salad!
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Hide greens in toys – Tuck shredded greens or bits of leaf into cardboard tubes, balls and other interactive toys. They'll find it irresistible foraging inside.
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Don't overfeed pellets or treats – Fill up on those, and they'll have no appetite for vegetables. Follow good feeding guidelines.
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Persist politely – Keep trying different greens regularly. Gently keep putting them out and eventually your rabbit may give them a taste.
With patience and creativity, you can get your picky rabbit to accept a variety of healthy greens. This will provide great nutrition and add variety to their diet. Just go slowly and find the tricks that appeal to your bunny.