My 9-week-old bunny: Is she too young to eat hay, as my breeder says?

It can certainly be the same if of good quality. Rabbits should have fresh hay available 24 hours a day. Rabbits less than 7 months old may have alfalfa hay, but older rabbits should have grass hays such as timothy or oat hay. Hay is essential to a rabbit's good health, providing the roughage that helps reduce the danger of hairballs and other blockages.

That's fine, as long as they are kept warm. Does (female rabbits) typically nurse once or twice daily. The kits (bunnies) will begin munching on hay within the next few days. They can eat alfalfa (until 7 months of age), timothy hay or oat grasses and fresh vegetables in addition to a commercial pelleted diet.

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.

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 )

Oxbow has pellets and timothy hay in their product line. The majority of the diet should be timothy hay or similar grasses. Pellets should be limited to no more than a 1/2 cup daily. Alfalfa should not be offered after 7 months of age. Trim nails every 3-4 weeks if necessary. Your veterinarian can show you how initially. Teeth should be checked monthly. A yearly exam should include a dental exam and teeth trimming if indicated. Symptoms of overgrown teeth include decreased appetite, drooling, pawing at the mouth, swelling or discharge.

His diet should be made by 85-90% of good quality hay, 5-10 % of greens and 5 % of pellets. Hay should be timothy, oat hay or other grass hays. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.