I was wondering if alfalfa hay was ok to put in my rabbits cage for bedding. I just got him and dont know how old he is... mini rex... about a couple months probably.
2007-04-09 15:49:46 · 13 answers · asked by Emma 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Alfalfa or Timothy are great for the rabbit. Unfortunately it is not very absorbent for bedding and will get wet and mat if not changed frequently.
2007-04-09 16:38:07 · answer #1 · answered by hotsnakes2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi...I've been raising and showing rabbits for 10 years. Do you have access to an alfalfa mix? That would be better than straight alfalfa, but should still be given in limited amounts. If you can find timothy pellets with 15-16% crude protein, that would be best and hay would not be necessary at all. Hope this helps and please feel free to contact me with any other questions you may have.
2016-05-21 03:31:35 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be best to use Timothy Hay. Male rabbits have a tendency to have urinary tract problems when given to much alfalfa. When my rabbits were in a cage I used a recycled newspaper bedding and gave hay as part of there diet. Rabbits can be litter box trained too.
Good Luck
2007-04-09 16:13:37 · answer #3 · answered by tinar92 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why not he can eat and sleep in his food at the same time. My rabbits prefer more Timothy hay to eat also. All the rabbits we've raised have also been litter box trained, mine are all indoor kept, but go out in good warm weather.
I can be emailed for detailed information on feeding rabbits. The "paper" is broken down by age on what and how much of each food to feed thoughout their life. I can be direct emalied at wolfinator25840@yahoo.com subject: "Rabbit food list" or you can contact me through my profile, mention about the correct food list you need.
Here is an excert from it for you.
Along with a days supply of hay and straw, fresh veggies are to be given in an amount the size of the rabbit after 8-10 weeks old. Fruits can also be given as well, just keep amounts to a small portion of their diet, more as a treat. Here is a guide for what and how to feed you little guy/gal rabbit. Food lists on the last pages.
What to feed babies that are in the weaning process and teenagers up to 6 months of age?
-Birth to 3 weeks--mother's milk
-3 to 4 weeks--mother's milk, nibbles of alfalfa and pellets
-4 to 7 weeks--mother's milk, access to alfalfa and pellets
-7 weeks to 7 months--unlimited pellets, unlimited hay (plus see 12 weeks below)
-12 weeks--introduce veggies (one at a time, quantities under 1/2 oz.)
I also have them for hamsters, diabetic hamsters/dwarfs, rats, gerbils and iguanas so far. I'm still working on others.
2007-04-09 16:15:00 · answer #4 · answered by wolfinator25840 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alfalfa hay is fine, as that is what most rabbit pellets are made from. I would recommend Timothy hay, though, for some variety in his diet. He will eat the hay. Also, provide him with a separate litter box (but don't use cat litter in it!!!) and he should litter box train himself. Rabbits like to be clean.
Give him toys, such as paper towel tubes, too. Bunnies are very intelligent creatures and they need to entertain themselves... toys will cut back on the boredom.
I love love love my rabbit. I used to have 3 rabbits.
Here is a great rabbit page for you to visit and see all about bunny care!!
http://www.rabbit.org/
2007-04-09 15:56:07 · answer #5 · answered by scruffycat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I tried hay as bedding with our family's first rabbit. He loved it! But he had no bedding the next day, because he ate it all. Make sure he has hay every day, as well as food and water. There are many different beddings you can try. Just don't use cedar. It's very bad for small animals.
2007-04-09 15:58:51 · answer #6 · answered by Terisu 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Straw, newspaper or wood shavings for bedding. Alfalfa for food and as a treat. It's rich so use sparingly. Bunny should be getting regular rabbit food pellets, the odd vegetable matter and a salt lick.
2007-04-09 15:56:20 · answer #7 · answered by OP 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No Alfalfa hay!. My vet told me to only give them Timothy hay when I got my netherland dwarf. Even if its for bedding, it will eat it. If its cold, use a small wash cloth. It will probably wet it, but at least it wont eat it up!
2007-04-09 15:57:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alfalfa hay is fine for animals until they get fully grown. It is high in calcium and other nutrients that growing animals need, but as their needs change, the calcium becomes too much and can cause kidney stones and other urinary tract issues.
The best kind of hay for small animals is called "Timothy Hay". "Bluegrass" or "Orchard Grass" are also fine.
2007-04-10 02:45:58 · answer #9 · answered by ceboily@rogers.com 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it makes a great bedding, specially since it is edible. Just make sure you clean it often to prevent mold from growing in the bedding. Timothy hay is also good, has less calcium, and less risks for urinary stone formations once he gets older.
2007-04-09 15:54:03 · answer #10 · answered by kitty98 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋