You are here:

Rabbits/timothy pellets for young rabbit

Advertisement

Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 1/2/2008


Question
Hi I recently bought a bunny who I know is under 6 months. I started to give her timothy pellets because I read in a book that alfalfa was bad, but apparently that's only for adults. Should I switch her back to alfalfa pellets? Or should I just start giving her alfalfa hay? Thanks very much.

Answer
Dear Shauna,

Alfalfa is much higher in protein and calcium than timothy, and because adults need very little of those nutrients, timothy pellets are recommended for them to control weight.  A baby rabbit can have alfalfa pellets, which are probably good for the extra nutrients a growing bunny needs.  But since pellets will be a very small part of her adult diet, anyway, you could keep her on alfalfa as long as she doesn't have a weight problem.  

Please read about healthy diet here:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/diet.html

Hope that helps.

Dana

Rabbits

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Dana Krempels, Ph.D.

Expertise

I've lived with companion rabbits for more than 35 years, and consider them members of my family. I can answer any questions about the biology and health of rabbits, from the commonplace to the unusual. But please note:

RULE #1:
THE INTERNET IS NOT THE PLACE TO SEEK HELP IN AN EMERGENCY.

...it is an EMERGENCY.

Find a rabbit vet at www.rabbit.org/vets for immediate help, and don't risk your bunny's life by spending time asking questions online! If you can't get in touch with your vet, read these Emergency Sick Bunny Instructions.

If you have found a wild baby rabbit, please read these EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS FOR WILD BABY RABBITS and then use this link to FIND A LOCAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR who can give you the right advice.

RULE #2:
Help me help you! Please make your subject line informative if you have an urgent question. then LET ME KNOW IN THE SUBJECT LINE so I can give your question highest priority over non-urgent questions. If you don't do this, then I can't guarantee timely assistance!

For all the best, most accurate rabbit health, care and behavior information, visit The House Rabbit Society.

Experience

I have been rescuing domestic and wild rabbits for more than 25 years. I have written articles for many rabbit rescue publications, as well as for the veterinary journal, Exotic DVM. I own EtherBun, the internet's largest listserve dedicated to health, care, and behavior of domestic rabbits.

Organizations
Houserabbit Adoption, Rescue, and Education, Inc. (H.A.R.E., Inc.) president National House Rabbit Society (Board member)

Publications
Exotic DVM
Warren Peace (Journal of the House Rabbit Society of Miami)
Various newsletters of the House Rabbit Society, nationwide

Education/Credentials
Ph.D - Biology
B.S. - Biology
B.A. - English

Awards and Honors
Lightspan Academic Excellence Award for web site on rabbit health and biology
(http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.