Before knowing more about Timothy hay for babies, let us know more about rabbits. Baby rabbits can eat them as it will provide them with high calcium and protein while timothy hay will provide the roughage that aids the digestive system. They will eat this happily and voraciously. Health Benefits You Need To Know, Rabbits love timothy hay, but it can get boring after a while. Rabbits have a sensitive digestion. Encourage your pet to drink in whatever way they prefer. Timothy hay is a rich source of vitamin A which is vital for healthy eyesight, bone growth, and strength. Petspruce is a credible resource for all pets, learn how to love your pets more and keep them healthy. They may take to eating more hay than pellets. If you have changed their diet, they may be holding out for a favorite. Different types of hay, such as orchard grass or Bermuda grass, should be given in addition to timothy hay so that the rabbit receives balanced nutrition. As they get older, too much protein and calcium in the Alfalfa Hay will cause problems with their bladder and make them overweight. Incorporate it into playtime, and exercise. Another thing to remember is that your rabbits hutch will be filled with hay. Nutritionally speaking, however, they are very different. Humans (and animals) carry lots of germs that can be easily transferred to a fragile baby via skin to skin contact. The answer is simple. If you do feed it grass, make sure it has not come from anywhere that may have been treated with pesticides. Most produced timothy hay has a combination of leaves and stems. Rabbits are grazers by design. If you do not know what kind of pellets your bunny will eat, you can ask your veterinarian and he will tell you what are good for your rabbit. A rabbit not eating at any age is worrying. The answer to that question, along with how much to feed a baby rabbit, depends on how old the rabbit in question is and whether or not its had any of its mothers milk. Theyre also calorific. The most popular brands in the UK are Supreme and Burgess. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own. The older they get, the more problematic this will become. Let's look at these and a host of other baby rabbit related questions to help you give them the best start in life. The problem with this is that you must remember to add Timothy in its proper proportion to the food you are feeding it. It would be impossible to provide a pet rabbit with enough grass to sustain itself. EDP Sciences. Also, ensure that your baby rabbit is not anxious. Baby rabbits can usually eat grass after about 8-weeks. It is higher in calcium and protein than grass hay, which is ideal for growing rabbits but too rich for adults. Like adults, hay should play an important role in young rabbit's diet. These should always be kept as a treat, especially fruit. She also started writing this blog to help other rabbit lovers out there. Feeding a baby rabbit is largely similar to nourishing an adult equivalent. This is an over simplified approach that came about because people would buy young rabbits, often at an age when they should still be with their mum, take them home and feed them things like carrot or lettuce, and then find that they become ill with digestive problems. Safe for My 3 Month Old Bunnies to Eat Timothy Hay? | Rabbits Online They'll love it. As with people, good habits are often formed when young, and it is very important for your rabbit's future health that they get into the habit of eating lots of hay. 2 Alfalfa hay is not a "treat" for adult rabbits. Their diet needs to reflect this fact. To do this takes time but is essential. 3rd Cutting Timothy Hay has a higher fat content and a lower fiber content. Fine Cut Timothy Hay This type of hay has lots of fiber and is low in protein, so its great for baby bunnies with sensitive digestive systems. Rabbits have some similarities with children but are actually quite different animals that have their own characteristics and habits. Feeding baby rabbits that need their mothers milk, but that do not have a mother to nurse from or which are unable to nurse can be a bit of an endeavor to take on. 1 The nutritional difference between Alfalfa and Timothy hay for rabbits. Now, that you know what hay to give baby rabbits, you need to take a few minutes to really think about what you are going to give them. A quality hay diet like the Timothy Hay created by The Little Hay Co. mixed with alfalfa hay whilst they are young is the best for your rabbit, with pellets added for extra nutrients. You should use the timothy half-and-half because it has a more significant amount of fiber which helps keep their digestive system working great! Alfalfa hay is extremely popular with most bunnies, but they can sometimes do better on either timothy hay or meadow grass hay. You can have a bunny that will live for around 12 years. If your rabbit is looking overweight, pellets should be sacrificed. Because of this, its imperative to educate yourself before you buy your rabbit any food. Bit confusing, we know. The answer is Yes, timothy hay should be included in baby rabbit's diet. You see, feeding baby bunnies which are newborn or a couple of days old should be done with supplemental colostrum. After completing veterinary school in New Zealand, she and her husband moved to North Carolina in 2009. Tread carefully around claims that baby rabbits can eat unlimited pellets. Is Timothy Hay Good For Rabbits? - 7 Health Benefits of Timothy Hay Timothy hay, also known as meadow hay or sweetgrass, is a type of hay that is harvested and explicitly dried for animal consumption. Help a rabbit eat appropriately while theyre young, and theyll reach adulthood in a healthy condition. Grass hay (e.g. Diet for Young/Baby Rabbits - The Rabbit House 8101 Sandy Spring Road, Laurel, MD, 20707 A good approach as they get older is to combine Alfalfa Hay with another hay source like Timothy Hay, Rye Grass Hay or Meadow Hay and then gradually reduce the amount of Alfalfa Hay in the diet until you stop it completely. If not, push just a tiny drop of milk onto his lips where he can lick it up and decide he wants more! of their body weight. Or, what do baby bunnies eat if theyve already had some colostrum, but can no longer nurse from mom? In most cases it will do less harm to continue temporarily with a bad diet e.g. It's much more difficult to introduce hay to an adult that has not grown up eating it. Rabbits aged six months and older are considered to be adults, and can be transitioned to an adult diet. But if its just one bunny and the amount of grass is small, then storing it in moisture-proof containers with lids will keep them as fresh as possible for as long as possible. Well walk you through how to ensure they get the nutrients they need every step of the way! It's a perennial grass that grows in colder climates. Hay is one of the things that your rabbits enjoy the most. This could lead to a serious problem! Dont let them eat too much alfalfa hay, though. In this article, well take a look at the pros and cons of feeding timothy hay to rabbits and help you decide if its suitable for your bunny. Also, dont forget that baby rabbits are not sustained on milk alone. You do not want to try to give your baby rabbit a hay mixture that has not been specifically designed for them. Rabbits do not need commercial treats; what they need is hay! The fiber helps keep the stools soft and gives rabbits something to pass their time as they chew on the food instead of other areas such as your furniture or carpeting. Do this until they are old enough to start eating hay, and eventually pellets and fresh vegetables too! Their bodies are not designed to process carbs, though. No-one wants an unhappy pet.Use our FREE returns policy ifanyone is not satisfied. Be careful not to overdo it with new foods all at once, as their tummies and bodies are still growing and getting used to new things! I have heard that for young rabbits up until 7 months old or so, are supposed to eat Alfalfa Hay, as it is the best for their growth and health. Rabbit Diet 101: What To Feed Your Rabbit - The Bunny Lady Leafy greens are an excellent fresh food to give a baby rabbit. Fosetyl will help your rabbit to properly digest foods. If youre unable to obtain specialized milk replacers, then goats milk or a kitten milk replacer should work just fine for these little guys. Don't really put a cherry and sprinkles on your rabbit's Timothy Hay, but the equivalent in the rabbit world is rabbit-safe herbs. Hay is the most important component and this is supplemented with dry food (pellets) and fresh foods. The former must be offered sparingly. Feeding a rabbit of any age-inappropriate vegetables will cause stomach upsets. Rabbits do not necessarily need these to flourish. Timothy hay is one of the most popular types of grass among pet owners because it is considered one of the best kinds out there. Instead, domesticated rabbits mainly sustain themselves on hay. You should also check that your bunny is not just being stubborn. If you want to know if your baby rabbit can eat Timothy hay or any grass hay, this article will provide the right answer. Dont let your timothy hay get wet because it could quickly develop mold, which is dangerous for rabbits. Since timothy hay is just grass, it wont provide many nutrients variety. Theyll be worried that another, older bunny will eat their share otherwise. A little wont kill them, but it will make them uncomfortable. The presence of fosetyl in the hay can control these types of infections and can make your rabbit feel much better overall. Make sure that you get a baby rabbit into good eating habits. meadow or timothy) is the one food you should introduce from the start, even if your rabbit isn't already eating it. If your rabbits feces pellets are dark, it suggests theyre eating too much protein. To get the best, it is suggested that buying / using the 2nd cutting of the year, as the weed content is lower than that of the 1st cut. Theyll probably pick at grass or hay whilst still feeding on their Mother's milk and will transition across to hay completely at around 8-weeks. They should also receive 1-3 cups of fresh leafy green vegetables every day (depending on the size of the rabbit) and - cups of fortified pellets. Keep an eye on your rabbit's droppings, changes in these are generally the first sign that you've gone a little fast with introducing new foods. They need to be worn down by chew toys and the food they eat. Well break down what to feed baby rabbits based on their age later in this article. After 3-weeks a wild rabbit will leave the nest, fend for itself and return at night. What Kind of Hay. Excessive carrots and iceberg lettuce can cause health issues. Can Rabbits Eat Horse Hay? - Range Of Animals While baby bunnies need protein, they dont need meat. 1. Before you feed Timothy hay to your baby rabbits, there are a few things that you have to keep in mind. Timothy Hay vs. Alfalfa Hay for Rabbits: Which is Best? Krempels, D. Care and feeding of orphaned domestic rabbits. A baby rabbit will love eating pellets and giving them an unending supply will create problems with their diet. Young rabbits can also have alfalfa, which looks a bit like chopped up hay but is made from lucerne rather than grass. These will provide everything that a growing bunny needs. . Of the 82% which were able to nurse from their mothers within 12 hours of birth, only 7% died. If not, use kitten or goat milk to imitate their mothers milk. This condition can be fatal in hours. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Baby bunnies should be fed milk twice a day. Fresh grass is not always practical for a bunny owner, hay (which is dried grass) is usually the main diet of all rabbits. So here are six reasons why Timothy Hay is one of the best choices for your small pet to keep them happy and healthy. A baby rabbit (up to 6-8 months old) can eat a variety of food. The truth is, fresh fruit and vegetables are fine in moderation. But all animals need fresh water to survive, so it should be a plentiful resource to your bunny. A bunny needs time to adjust to dietary changes. Timothy hay and Meadow hay or another adult type of hay have less calcium and protein, so is much healthier for your bunny. If your rabbit will not eat hay or pellets, theyll need more: You can pick up a syringe to provide this milk from a pet store. Good old timothy hay can be used to help your rabbits teeth stay friendly and healthy. 3rd Cutting Timothy Hay. And most importantly never stop experimenting with different varieties because your bunny may find a new favorite out of the blue! Leafy greens, except lettuce, are best for rabbits for example dandelion leaves, carrot tops, kale, spinach, spring greens, raspberry/blackberry leaves and herbs such as parsley and basil. They will splash around in water if they can. 6 Best Hay for Rabbits - Pros & Cons - Go Jackrabbit Go Using a towel or soft cloth, GENTLY pick up the baby and hold using light pressure. If you are feeding alfalfa it's a good idea to feed it mixed with grass hay. Once you are ready to buy hay for baby rabbits, always check with your veterinarian. Youll need to buy hay in advance. If you find your rabbit's droppings change from their normal solid round pellets, this is a sign that you may be going too fast or that particular food doesn't agree with them. So, lets go through the steps to safely bottle-feed a baby bunny: The amount of milk that you should feed a baby rabbit depends on how old the baby is. It also comes in a pretty bag, so if your rabbit is a girl, maybe you can convince her to eat it just for the aesthetics! Rabbits should eat timothy hay throughout the day. Its an exciting time, but what do you feed a baby rabbit? Like any animal, a rabbits formative experiences will play a significant role in their adult persona. You can then introduce the other components to their diet gradually. You should also read our comprehensive guide to caring for baby rabbits. If your rabbit is eating a small amount, they may be bored, so you can try to tempt them with leafy greens and remove the pellets. As they grow older, rabbits need fewer calories. In short, no. Hay Like adults, hay should play an important role in young rabbit's diet. Here are some of the different types available: Organic Valleys High Fiberfor Rabbits has 28% fiber and 14% protein, making it super healthy for rabbits that quickly get overweight. However, its high quality and low price make it perfect for those on a tight budget without sacrificing too much on chemicals or pesticides! Try purchasing or creating a hanging hay rack or a raised hay trough that can be attached to the side of the rabbit enclosure. But they need the alfalfa and it's higher mineral content to develop healthier Alright, sure thing! Young rabbits need to nap regularly, but theyll be energetic in between. If your rabbit weighs more than 5 pounds (2,3kg), he should be fed timothy hay for about 25% of his daily diet. If a rabbit feels a draught, it will put them off eating. First, make sure your rabbit likes it by trying all the different kinds of timothy hay available! In some cases, the preservatives may not be good for your rabbit. This will make chewing easier for your rabbit and will keep their mouths fresh and clean as well. Move the bowl around in the first instance. This will help ease the transition and make your bunny feel more at home. New fresh foods need to be introduced slowly so your rabbit's gut bacteria can adapt to processing the new food. This imitates the nursing experience. See details. Prioritize alfalfa hay, but get some traditional meadow hay too. Rabbit teeth grow continuously. This will help prevent your rabbit from ingesting any of the dirt that will be left behind from the food. The West Boulevard Veterinary Clinic has a nice blog post about what you can use in a milk replacer for baby bunnies here. Your bunny cannot eat alfalfa hay forever, so dont let them get too attached to the taste. Theyll get all the vitamins they need from hay. In fact, it is used as a main part of the diet of both domestic and wild animals. A baby rabbit will usually only have an egg cup full of pellets when young, with this only increasing a little as they get bigger. If a rabbit's mother was fed fresh foods whilst she was raising the litter, your baby will have been nibbling those too and it's fine to continue providing these same foods. Timothy hay also contains nutrients that are important to keep your rabbits digestive system running smoothly. Too much protein can cause obesity, organ failure, bladder issues, and other health problems. Different types of Timothy Hay based on cut. Many times, a poor digestion can lead to a number of digestive-related conditions for your rabbit. At the early stage of the rabbit's growth, grass hay (timothy or meadow) are essential food for the gut, which can provide the needed fiber for digestive process to function. Rabbits grow fast to help them survive in the wild. Affiliate link disclosure: Links in this article marked with an * are affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase these products. Urine can turn hay moldy, and moldy hay is toxic to rabbits. As Alfalfa hay and pellets are quite tasty, moving them to Timothy Hay or Rye Grass Hay can take a bit of perseverance, but it is the best thing for your bunny and should take a few months, there's no need to rush it. The 6 Best Types of Hay for Your Rabbit: 1. DIY Bunny Toys Slotted Cardboard BallsBoxes are one of the best toys for bunnies because they are so versatile. Adult rabbits can happily sustain themselves on hay alone. When should I give my rabbit Timothy Hay? Timothy hay is too high in protein and calcium and too low in fiber. Surprisingly, mother rabbits only nurse their young once or twice daily, for just a few minutes at a time! As they grow and their diet changes, so will their water intake. A baby rabbit will usually only have an egg cup full of pellets when young, with this only increasing a little as they get bigger. A bunny should never be separated from their mother before this. There will be numerous options, tailored to different life stages. If you buy your formula online, check to make sure it has been formulated specifically for rabbits. 7 Reasons Why Timothy Hay is a Big Deal for Rabbits Health benefits of timothy hay, The Side-effects Disadvantages of timothy hay. Timothy hay-based pellets contain high amounts of fiber that rabbits need to aid in digestion. However, this is usually due to the fact that the hay is made from a mixture of many different types of grasses that are combined to produce a nice fine texture that will keep your rabbits teeth healthy. This is because young bunnies have particularly sensitive digestive tracts. In theory, this is correct. hahaha. High-fiber rabbit nuggets and some fresh veggies will round out their diet. For your rabbit to have an appetite that is balanced, you should make hay a healthy part of your rabbit food. Dont just suddenly feed him a type of hay you think is best. Ensuring that your baby rabbit is sufficiently nourished will mean healthy bones and muscle mass into adulthood. Again, these alfalfa pellets should be slowly weaned from your rabbit once they are around 6-months old and no longer need the extra calcium and protein. Avoid the temptation to buy a huge bag of pellets. Healthy food for baby rabbits is pivotal, so dont make any best guesses after their arrival. Rabbit milk contains more calories than kitten milk, though. They should make up at least 22% fiber. Another benefit of Timothy hay is that it is extremely good at controlling fleas and ticks. This is because a rabbits digestive tract is engineered to process the fiber found in grass. Alfalfa hay is much higher in protein and calcium than Timothy hay, which is why it's often given to baby buns to help them grow big and strong. Theyll refuse to eat anything that doesnt like into adulthood. Although young rabbits eat the same types of foods as adults, we need to take into account the different nutritional needs of their growing bodies and the extra sensitivity of their developing digestive system. for many years to come! Grass hays (such as timothy or orchard grass hays) are not in the legume family, so they do not contain a substance called in, which interferes with calcium metabolism in rabbits, leading to life-threatening conditions such as urinary sludge and bladder stones. Once they establish a routine, theyll calm down. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Ive loved rabbits for as long as I can remember, so it felt natural to share my passion for lagomorphs with a much wider audience. It is best to leave them alone. Seek professional help to ensure your bunny is sufficiently nourished. Hay enables them to eat throughout the day. Baby rabbits need more protein, so give them pellets and alfalfa hay. Grass hay (e.g. Feed timothy pellets at a rate of 1/8 to 1/4 Cup per 5 pounds of body-weight. Offer small amounts of vegetable as a treat, once your bunny has eaten sufficient hay. Its advisable to make pellets part of your baby rabbits meal plan. As with all young animals, baby bunnies will be very sensitive to change. One question that comes up a lot is whether or not timothy hay is suitable for rabbits. By the time they reach 4 weeks, baby rabbits eat pellets and hay. It is different from a legume because it has long, hollow stems with spikelet flowers. low quality pellets or mix, rather than make a sudden change to a 'good' diet. Observe them, and take action is necessary. You might also have to buy special Timothy hays for the pet store. Once your rabbit is an adult, it will eat mainly hay (like our Timothy Hay or Meadow Hay) with additional good treats like green leaves and vegetables for variety and extra goodness. How Can I Tell if My Baby Rabbits Diet is Healthy? Their stomachs like consistency, so its a good idea to keep them on the same food they have been used to and make any changes gradually. If you're curious about what do wild rabbits eat then you are in the right place. You may find it more easily in pill form at a human health food store (yes, human babies need colostrum, too!). Hay and/or Grass Hay or grass should make up the bulk of your rabbit's diet. What Do Baby Rabbits Eat - A Complete Nutritional Guide As soon as theyre born, such mammals as baby bunnies instinctively know to find their mothers teat and to suckle for that first bit of vital nourishment. Spaying or neutering young rabbits also leads to behavioral changes. The West Boulevard Veterinary Clinic has a nice blog post about what you can use in a milk replacer for baby bunnies here. Pet care and training If you try to feed your rabbit too much of it you could end up with diarrhea and vomiting. Be sure to read labels and follow the manufacturers directions. You can hear the patter of tiny paws - a baby rabbit has come into your life. Aim for a ratio of around 60:40, mixing alfalfa with traditional grass hay. This should pass quickly. Any bunny is sensitive to changes in diet, but young rabbits are especially so. Your rabbit should be on an adult ration by 6-7 months old. What can I feed a baby rabbit thats not such a baby anymore? During this time, baby rabbits are provided with everything they need while their bodies prepare to be able to digest solid foods, such as alfalfa hay, fresh vegetables, and nutrient-packed pellets. As they grow, they can naturally tolerate more milk because their stomachs are growing, too! Now that weve determined what to feed a newborn rabbit, lets talk about how to feed a baby bunny! A baby rabbit should stay with its mother for 8-weeks to get all the protection her milk offers at this critical life stage. You should do this as often as needed to keep your rabbit healthy. However, baby rabbits should not be completely weaned from their mothers until 8 weeks of age. It has high fiber content and low calories and fat. If you must provide a rabbit with milk, dont use cow milk. The next thing you will know is that they are not fed much during winter time. There are a few extra considerations for young rabbits though. What Do Wild Rabbits Eat? - Rabbits Life You can slowly change their food if it is not of the best quality, but best to do this slowly rather than changing the food they are accustomed to overnight. This is because of the high fiber content in the grass, which helps keep their digestive tract moving. This is because timothy hay alone often lacks the necessary nutrients to meet all of a rabbits dietary needs. This goes double when the bunny is young. Theyll grow accustomed to having a constant supply of pellets. Theyll suffer from an excess of protein, and experience stomach upsets as a result. Stopping the fresh foods for a few days should return them to normal. If your rabbit is sick, you can feed them hay for that time. As baby bunnies have immature brains and bladders, they take a while to be litter trained. So youve been bottle-feeding a baby bunny, who is becoming increasingly interested in the big bunny food that youve been leaving in the hutch with them. Rabbits need to feed on hay or grass daily. Three weeks through six weeks of age: 13-15 ml twice daily, but begin watering formula down or offering water free-choice. As rabbits are weaning between 6-8 weeks their digestive system is adjusting from milk to adult solids, which is a particularly sensitive time and why rabbits should stay with their mother for a minimum of 8 weeks.
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