when should you allow baby rabbits to eat grass?

November 29, 2009

in Questions about Rabbits

hi i have two nine week old rabbits and they are used to being fed on dry rabbit feed. the lady i bought them off told me not to be giving them grass or lettuce yet because it would be too strong for their stomachs. when is the best time to feed them grass or lettuce>
why ask a vet when you can ask experienced people! Some people give stupid answers just to get 2 points!

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

debuneezmom 11.29.09 at 2:52 pm

At nine weeks they’re at that borderline stage of switching to veggies. I would recommend probably giving them another couple of weeks on pellets and then start to *slowly* introduce them to veggies. Here is a really good website link for feeding based on ages: http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/diet.html#babies
You can also access a list of bunny-friendly veggies from the same website.
As with human babies, moderation is the key. Start with very small quantities and only one type at a time.
I would recommend starting out with the "blander" ones at first to avoid tummy upset – Romanine or leaf lettuces, parsley, raddichio.
I would also avoid any treats at first as well as carrots (although carrot greens are always a fav). Too much sugar may upset the flora in their digestive system.
Good luck with your "kids"!!

jBhAsMyHeArT 11.29.09 at 2:52 pm

We had baby rabbits a couple summers ago. Wait till they have their eyes open and are walking well on their own, and eating their food well, thats when you’ll know.

ice queen 11.29.09 at 2:52 pm

a rabbits diet should be 70percent hay/grass you can introduce grass now chewing hay and grass strengthens the jaw bones and helps keep the teeth from over growing

chemicalromance 11.29.09 at 2:52 pm

if they eat lettace they will get die are eu

Sally Jane 11.29.09 at 2:52 pm

idk go ask your vet…….duh

kuunoita 11.29.09 at 2:52 pm

You can give them a little grass once in awhile after they are 6 months old. Make sure the grass has not been spryed for weeds or had any fertilizer put on it. This can kill a rabbit!

I always tell people who buy a rabbit from me not to feed any "fresh" foods until the rabbit has turned 6 months old. They can get diarrhea or enteritis. Both of these will kill a young rabbit. If they are eating a good rabbit pelllet they do not need anything else. These are complete feeds that contain everything a rabbit needs. Make sure they always have fresh water.

A good rabbit pellet has at least 16% protein and 18 is better.
The first ingredient listed should be alfalfa or alfalfa meal. Make sure it has no corn in it. You can also give them a teaspoon of oats (like Quaker) 3 times a week mixed with the pellets.
Also give your rabbits a good grass hay or alfalfa cubes they like these as a treat.

If your rabbits are the same sex (both females) they can stay together if they are 2 males you will have to seperate them by the time they are 4 months as they will start to fight and can kill each other or cause a lot of harm. Also if they are different (boy and girl) they will need to be sperated again by the time they are 4 months so you don’t get any baies.

Good Luck with your rabbits.

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