Rabbit questions

tiamai_d

Has anyone used corn oil as a suppliment to rabbits feed?

My bunny is a bit on the skinny side this winter, she is 5 years old and a dwarf lop (by that I mean a huge bunny with small lop ears ).

We use corn oil with the horses throughout the winter to help them keep on weight and keep the coats glossy. It's also used to put weight on 'rescued' horses. Horses and rabbits have very similar dietry needs so I thought this should be OK, (google has brought nothing worrying up). My vet is useless so no point asking her.

clutterydrawer

tiamai_d wrote: »

Has anyone used corn oil as a suppliment to rabbits feed?

My bunny is a bit on the skinny side this winter, she is 5 years old and a dwarf lop (by that I mean a huge bunny with small lop ears ).

We use corn oil with the horses throughout the winter to help them keep on weight and keep the coats glossy. It's also used to put weight on 'rescued' horses. Horses and rabbits have very similar dietry needs so I thought this should be OK, (google has brought nothing worrying up). My vet is useless so no point asking her.

do you know why she is losing weight? i would look into that first if you haven't already - she may have teeth problems or any one of many other things.

Something a lot of people use to put weight on a bun is "porridge" - ie some oats soaked for a while ina little water. NO milk or treacle!:rotfl:

Make sure the oats are fully socked or they could expand in her stomach and make her poorly, and only offer a little at first in case she doesnt tolerate them well.

i wouldnt personally use corn oil although i can't quite put my finger on why. i can't imagine they digest oils well though. best of luck with her

clutterydrawer

Notsosharp wrote: »

Hi,

I have a rabbit, single female and she seems lonely. I was unsure about two things really.

One: She is getting territorial about her hutch and will growl at me when I put my hand in to stroke her. She is fine when she is out and about (though shes like a lot of other rabbits in that she does not like being picked up) . Is there anything I can do to stop this without the risk of getting bitten (so far she has only nudged with her nose)?

The second thing is I have read on here that she will need a friend but I have had conflicting advice from the guy at the pet shop who says it is too late to introduce another rabbit. He has owned rabbits for most of his life so I think he would know and I also know that a friend that had a female and a castrated rabbit together and the female killed the male. I don't really want to risk that happening but is it possible that she could get used to a friend eventually?

I am really not used to rabbits though I do like them and I would like any advice really. Thanks

Ps: How do you litter train a rabbit, I think bringing her inside so she can get used to us might help

I agree with the previous poster - she is full of hormones and it's making her frustrated and aggressive. Talk to your vet about spaying her - this will also prevent her contracting uterine cancer.

It's never "too late" to get a bunny a friend. A female-male pair is best although obviosuly they must both be neutered/spayed. However, not all rabbits get along. If you talk to your local rescue they can probably arrange to introduce your rabbit to one of theirs, safely and gradually over a period of about a week. I got my female rabbit a friend when she was about 3 and they luuuurve each other - here they are now!



Here is a link to rescues in yorkshire so you can pick your nearest:

http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/centres.asp#Yorkshire

try the one on stoney ridge ave in bradford

Rabbits tend to do their "business" near their hay source - try setting up a litter tray next to her hayrack, and put some of her droppings in it, to show her where to go.

tiamai_d

clutterydrawer wrote: »

do you know why she is losing weight? i would look into that first if you haven't already - she may have teeth problems or any one of many other things.

Something a lot of people use to put weight on a bun is "porridge" - ie some oats soaked for a while ina little water. NO milk or treacle!:rotfl:

Make sure the oats are fully socked or they could expand in her stomach and make her poorly, and only offer a little at first in case she doesnt tolerate them well.

i wouldnt personally use corn oil although i can't quite put my finger on why. i can't imagine they digest oils well though. best of luck with her

She had a bout of the 'dire-rear' during the summer. Nothing sinister we had her at the vets and took samples. A lot of the animals (cats, dogs other bunnies) in the area had it, just viral that she picked up in the garden (probably cats had spread it but who knows).

Between that and us having to get rid of the small patch of grass we had (it was a bog and really nasty), she didn't 'bulk-up' as normal.

Her teeth are fine, she is not depressed (she has the run of the garden during the day, chases the dog etc), it's just been a bad summer bad weather bad timing.

Will give the oats a try, thanks.

Don't get me wrong, she will winter well, she always does. Nice big cosy hutch, well sheltered and draft-free.