What to do when your bunny is not eating??

One of the main problem face by rabbit owner is when their bunny stop eating out of a sudden. This can be due to various reason like stress, hot weather, heavy travelling, etc. Most of us will ask, what to do if they are not eating? First and foremost, check their water if they are drinking. Change to fresh water (cold one if the place is too hot) and monitor them. If they are not drinking, they are not eating. If this does not work, force feed them  with water using syringe is neccessary.

If they are drinking, they should be better. However, if they stil not eating (any hay or pellet), in that case, some steps need to be taken. Below are some of the methods suggested by some breeder in US and for my own experience as well :)

1. Sweet potatoe cutted into small chunk (do works for some rabbit), old fashion oatmeal (rolled oat), shredded wheat or nutridrop. Try those, the rabbit should eat at least one of those when offered. However, the quantity of offer should be small and the poo should be monitor closely (just in case any diarhea or wet poo).  

2. good green grass hay. Fresh greenish grass hay is good in smell and can be offer to trigger their appettie


3. green carrot tops, romain lettuce and parsley too helped. However, this shall be in small quantity again (preferrably organic too to avoid the chemicals!). 


4. Some US breeder also suggested banana as one of the favourite treats for Netherland Dwarf, Holland Lop and other rabbit.


5. oral electrolyte supplement may helps especialy when they are not drinking...you mix it in warm water so it's a watery paste and then give it to him by syringe, he would eat it on his own after that. it's a nutritional supplemnt and slows fluid loss. 


6. oxbo crittal care oat hay works well too


7. For my own, this is always what i do. I keep it simple - rehydration (by force feeding water) and Nutridrop 3x daily, via syringe. Nutrdrop is high in nutrients and also stimulates appetite. Excercise & tummy masages gently also help.


For all the above, it is not suggested to do all or few methods in one time. That will mess up the tummy more. Take one measure that you think best suite you at one time. And one very very important note to take is to monitor their poo, no matter which method you taking. Make sure that the poo doesnt not turn wet/ diarhea. However, no poo at all is also a very bad sign. 


Hope everyone's bunnies can always stay healthy!!! My favourite pass time is always to watch my Netherland Dwarfs, Holland Lops jumping and binky!! Thats the fun of having them, man!

B Berry Rabbitry

www.bberryrabbitry.com

~With love we breed~

All the above are only meant for information sharing and shall not bear any liability.