He was very neglected with very overgrow nails and mats all over. He also has a bald spot where he was badly injured. He is very under weight and I have never had a rabbit so under weight before. I have already taken him to the vet and the groomer and I can't take him back to the vet in fear that his heart can't take it. (You know rabbits hearts) He is fine physically except what I have mentioned above. They said to feed him and love him but I was wondering what else to feed him besides the normal rabbit feed and the fruits and veggies. I know no broccoli cabbage lettuce and eggplant. Any foods I can give him to help and spoil him like he deserves?
2007-01-30 16:07:24 · 10 answers · asked by Married and loving it!!!! 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Try a pellet that is higher in protein. Angora's use a lot of it with the continual wool growth they do. You might also like to add some Alfalfa/Lucerne hay to his mix. If he's been neglected you'll find that just moving to a normal healthy diet will put some weight on him. I wouldn't introduce too much sweet stuff right now, it may mess up his digestive system. Don't underestimate the power of good old TLC either, it can go a long way to helping him recover.
Good luck!
2007-01-30 23:16:38 · answer #1 · answered by mbunnyau 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've been raising rabbits for going on 25 years and am good friends with a lady who used to be the secretary for the national angora club.
What I'd recommend is to give your rabbit a rabbit pellet formulated for wool breed rabbits. It should say that it is formulated for wool breeds right on the bag. Or at least go with a rabbit pellet that has a descent amount of protein like a 17-17 family ration formula. The extra protein will help your rabbit get back in shape and gain its weight back better. A wool formula should have even more protein than a family formula. Wool breeds need the extra protein for the growth of their wool. Two good feed companys I know of for rabbits are Heinold Feeds and Purina. Both of those feeds have rabbit feed specially formulated for wool breeds.
Don't give your rabbit vegetables, greens, or fruits. All of those can throw off your rabbit's nutritional balance and possibly make it lose weight or get diahrrea.
If you want to give your rabbit a snack, give it a half slice of bread a day (no more than a half slice). Most rabbits love bread. And it is good for them too.
For the matted wool, you can either try brushing the mats out which can be very tedious depending upon how bad the mats are. Or you can get the scissors out and cut the wool back. The wool will grow back over a couple months and it will be a lot easier to take care of the wool. Then just make sure to brush the wool out about twice a week or every 2-3 days. Also make sure to keep your pens as clean as you can. This will help to keep your rabbit from getting dirty. It is easy for a wool rabbit to get dirty.
2007-01-31 05:13:27 · answer #2 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's normal to feel the ribs and spine of a rabbit, since carrying fat around those areas would mean the poor thing is obese. If they're REALLY protruding then it's not a good sign. Is your rabbit eating normally? Place food out during the morning and see how much is left by night, there may be an underlying medical problem. If your rabbit has plenty of room to run around and is eating sufficiently I wouldn't worry about it. I have a very fat rabbit, but I think it's because of the lack of exercise. You can buy those boxes of mixed rabbit food that include seeds, pellets and dried fruit but our vet said it can cause rabbits to get too fat. I hope this helps
2016-03-28 21:49:54 · answer #3 · answered by Gail 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can give him rolled oats (like Quaker Oats 1 minute cooking oatmeal, except dry...) They love it and it will help his digestion and help put on weight. Too much fruits and veges will not help him right now. You have to take it easy on his digestive tract for a while. A well balanced pellet for wool breeds, a couple tablespoons of oats, alfalfa hay and as a treat a few Cheerios. Right now, an even, consistant diet will do him more good than a lot of variety. I've also used canned pumpkin for my rabbits. a 1/2 teaspoon is very good for roughage and helps with digestion.
2007-01-31 15:38:11 · answer #4 · answered by Blue Giants 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alfalfa hay, carrots, strawberries, bananas... But once he's in good shape fruits and veggies are treats. But lettuce and carrot tops are good for them.
2007-02-03 05:30:26 · answer #5 · answered by KS 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Feed your rabbit alfalfa and get yogurt drops, that will fatten your bunny right up!
2007-02-04 12:05:40 · answer #6 · answered by Conna Sta 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Grapes!
They absolutely love grapes. Leave the stems on. They like those too, and it's good for wearing down their teeth. The high sugar content will put weight on quick.
So will Carrots, apples, and other sugary fruits.
Lots of hay is necessary of course.
2007-01-30 16:23:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
i grew up on a farm and when ever one of our smaller animals were ill or sickly we would give them baby food like pablem and they would lap it up. it never seemed to hurt any of them and the kittens we fed it to always seemed to grow pretty strong..however i am not a vet and i dont know if a vet will endorse it.
2007-01-30 16:19:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Alfalfa...
2007-01-30 16:16:46 · answer #9 · answered by M CEE 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I suggest giving him things that are higher in calories like oats and alfafa. http://www.rabbit.org
2007-01-31 01:02:40 · answer #10 · answered by sugarcarat 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋