My bunny eats hay but won't eat its food pellets. Is this normal?

Thank you for your question about Oreo. When rabbits begin having preferences for different food items intermittently, it is often a sign of dental disease. I would recommend having Oreo seen by a veterinarian who is familiar with rabbits. They can perform a thorough examination, including an oral exam. It isn’t enough to just look at the front teeth, as often the issues are further back in the mouth. This area can only be seen with specialized tools that your veterinarian will have. Depending on what they find, they may recommend diagnostic testing to confirm or rule out dental disease. From there, they will also recommend treatments to pursue, which may include trimming the teeth. I hope that gives you a place to start, and that Oreo feels better very soon.

Your bunny was probably just used to eating the lettuce and is adjusting to his new diet. You did the right thing by offering him only the pellets and hay. This is what is most beneficial to him. Since his stools are normal I would not worry at this point. If he stops passing stools, stops eating, or if you suspect he is losing weight, then you should take him to the veterinarian to be checked out. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

A rabbit that will not eat should be considered a veterinary emergency. Anorexia in rabbits can slow down or stop the gut which can lead to a dangerous build-up of bacteria and gas. This can be deadly. It is critical to have Thumper examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating rabbits to get him eating as soon as possible and to diagnose the reason for his loss of appetite. Keep timothy hay and water available at all times. You can soak some pellets in an unflavored electrolyte replacement beverage to make a mash which may make eating easier also.

Hay is extremely important in a rabbit's diet so if she is not eating hay, it is a problem. The most common reason is that there is a dental issue. I suggest you have her examined by your vet and be sure they check her teeth. The other possibility is that the quality of the hay has changed, is moldy or is poor in general. You can try a different type to see she likes it better. Oxbow, in my opinion, is the best hay so if you are not using it, I suggest you try it. ( https://www.amazon.in/s?k=oxbow+timothy+hay&crid=FOG31C395JKV&sprefix=oxbow%2Caps%2C389&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_6_5 )

It's a very big issue with rabbits that have been fed pellets rather than hay, i would recommend trying different types of hay, if it doesn't help just make sure you buy pellets that contain a high quantity of hay in them.

Continue syringe feeding him and medicating him. If you can get some Oxbow Critical Care for Herbivores, that would be recommended. Have him rechecked by your veterinarian when you can to rule out any complications from the procedure. If his teeth needed extensive work, the recovery period may be prolonged.

If she will allow, check her teeth for overgrowth or misalignment. If necessary, you can your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating rabbits correct any dental issues. If she is less than 6 months old, offer alfalfa. This may get her to eat higher fiber and healthier diet. Lettuce has very little in the way of nutritional value. You can offer dark, leafy greens and vegetables as well as commercial pellets. Oxbow Critical Care for Herbivores can also be used to supplement her diet. Always have timothy hay, oat hay or similar grasses and fresh water in the cage or hutch at all times. If she stops eating, have her seen immediately by your veterinarian.