When should bunnies stop eating alfalfa?

If you are feeding alfalfa it's a good idea to feed it mixed with grass hay. This stops your rabbits getting so hooked on alfalfa that it's difficult to make the transition to grass hay when they reach adulthood. You should phase out alfalfa at around four to five months old.

How long do bunnies eat alfalfa hay?

While still nursing, Alfalfa Hay should be introduced starting at about three weeks and should continue until about six months of age. Alfalfa Hay contains high protein, fiber and calcium. Plenty of good fresh Alfalfa Hay should be fed to a young rabbit daily along with vegetables and pellets in small amounts.

Can baby bunnies eat too much alfalfa?

The higher calcium levels in alfalfa hay, though, can actually be dangerous for an adult bun if they're fed too much. Bunnies metabolize calcium and get rid of the excess in their urine, but this can cause urinary stones if they're getting more than they need.

Can older bunnies eat alfalfa hay?

Updated Answer. Timothy hay is an excellent choice for adult rabbits while Alfalfa is best for young rabbits under five months of age. Alfalfa should never be fed to adult rabbits because it contains high levels of calcium and fat that can cause obesity and health issues impacting the kidneys and bladder.

When should I stop feeding my bunny pellets?

Instead, pellets should be reduced slowly as the rabbit reaches their full adult weight. Many people will recommend giving young rabbits unlimited pellets, but it's best to be cautious with this approach. You want to make sure your young rabbit is eating hay in addition to their pellets.

Rabbit Forages: Alfalfa hay

Can I feed my rabbit only hay?

Rabbits should have a daily diet of mostly hay, a smaller amount of fresh vegetables, and a limited number of pellets. Hay is the most important part of a rabbit's daily intake. Unlimited, high-quality grass hay, such as Timothy, orchard or brome, should make up the bulk of a rabbit's diet.

Should rabbits have unlimited pellets?

Many experienced rabbit veterinarians are now recommending no more than 1/8 cup of quality pellets per 5 lbs. of rabbit per day, and some even consider commercial pellets a "treat food" that can promote obesity in spayed/neutered adult rabbits.

Can rabbits live on alfalfa hay?

We prefer the long, loose strands of hay as opposed to the pressed cubes or chopped hay. Alfalfa hay is fine for young bunnies but is not the correct choice for adult rabbits, especially if it is being used along with pellets (which are already high in alfalfa hay).

What is better for rabbits timothy or alfalfa?

When looking at which type of hay to feed a rabbit or guinea pig, Timothy hay and Meadow hay are often considered the better and healthier options. Alfalfa is known as a great hay for baby rabbits, as it contains higher calcium and protein levels to help support healthy growth and development.

What's the best hay for bunnies?

Timothy Hay is by far the most popular and probably the best kind you can give your rabbit as their basic hay source. Timothy hay is a good all- around choice for unlimited offering to your rabbit. Timothy hay is a mix of leaves and stems from Timothy grass, which is a perennial bunch grass.

Does alfalfa make rabbits gain weight?

Alfalfa is also a good way to increase protein levels whilst still providing plenty of fibre. It's often fed to young rabbits but is also good for putting weight on adults.

What is the difference between alfalfa and timothy hay?

Alfalfa hay is higher in protein and calories, but timothy hay has more fiber and better calcium to phosphorus ratio. If you feed your horse a mixture of these two types of hay, it will get the best combinations possible for optimum nutrition.

When should I change my rabbits hay?

Hay bedding in a rabbit's living space should be changed once a week if the rabbit uses a litter box. If a rabbit doesn't use a little box, this hay will need to be changed once every 2-3 days. Additional hay should be added at least once daily as rabbits will likely consume this hay for food.

How much hay should a rabbit eat per day?

The average pet rabbit should be eating about a large handful of hay per day. This is about 13 ounces per week or 3 ¼ pounds per month for a 2 to 3 pound rabbit. If you have a larger breed you may find that they consume up to 5 pounds of hay per month. Keep in mind that rabbits tend to waste some of their hay also.

At what age can rabbits eat timothy hay?

Rabbits between the ages of seven months and a year should be transitioned to timothy hay. Rabbits will prefer alfalfa hay, so during the transition you may need to mix the two types of hay. In some cases, a rabbit may rebel and not eat the timothy hay.

What is the healthiest rabbit food?

How much greens should a rabbit eat?

A good rule of thumb is 1 tablespoon of non-leafy green veggies per 2 pounds of body weight per day. For example, a rabbit that weighs 3 pounds should get roughly 1/8 cup (2 Tbsp) pellets, 1.5 cups leafy greens, and 1.5 tablespoons of chopped veggies (non-leafy greens).

How do I know if my rabbit is eating enough?

How much pellets should I feed my 6 month old rabbit?

They are still growing bunnies, so you'll want to give them more pellets than an adult rabbit, but you'll want to limit the amount you give them. During this transitional stage of your rabbit's life, you'll want to give them about ¼ cup of pellets for every 3 pounds that they weigh.

How long is hay good for rabbits?

If stored properly in a cool dark place with good ventilation, the Timothy Hay Food may keep for 6 months or longer. 8.

How often should you give rabbits fresh hay?

Hay & grass – ideally an unlimited amount, but at least a bundle that's as big as them each day. Fresh food – an adult-sized handful of leafy greens, vegetables and herbs twice daily. Nuggets – just one tablespoon of rabbit nuggets once daily (or twice daily if your rabbits weigh over 3.5kg).

Can rabbits eat too much hay?

There's no such thing as a rabbit eating too much hay. Rabbits' teeth grow constantly. Grazing on hay helps to keep their teeth short. If your rabbit isn't eating enough hay, it'll have to have its teeth filed down by a veterinarian.

Should I put hay in my rabbits litter box?

Rabbits often pass stool when they are eating and placing some hay in the litter box can help with litter box training. First, place some rabbit safe litter on the bottom of the litter box and pile up the hay. They will not eat soiled hay, so you need not worry about sanitation.

How many times a day do rabbits eat pellets?

We like to feed them pellets at least once per day and grass hay to help with digestive problems. For medium breeds, it's recommended that you feed them a balanced meal of 3–4 ounces of commercial pellets once per day and grass hay once per day.

How do you wash a bunny blanket?

Cold water is fine for clothes, but for things like bunny rugs and blankets the hot water will kill any bacteria that might be present. As long as you don't use too much detergent for the amount of water, it should be fine and all wash out. ok thanks!