Rabbit expert needed

[Pauline]

I'm sure we had a member on here who was a rabbit expert.

Just needed to ask about Continental Rabbits or possibly Heifer Rabbits???

Been told that they should not be given hay or straw, is this true? Can't seem to find much on line about them and the person who owns it is worried that it will be cold without hay/straw but obviously does not want to make it ill.

Any help would be appreciated.

[karenw]

I think you might mean me!

I've never heard of 'Heifer' rabbits but Continental gGiants are bunderful! I have French Lops but would love a pair of Contis if/when we have space!

Hay should always form the main part of their diet to keep their teeth in trim and digestive system working. An ideal diet would be 50% long, fresh meadow hay, 25% veggies and 25% mix or pellets which should be at least 15% protein for a giant breed or they can lose condition and become ragged.

Soft barley straw bedding is good for insulation particularly for outdoor buns in the current chilly weather and hay can also be used - but hay must ALWAYS be available to provide the necessary dietary fibre. This is very important. If you need any further info, please PM me and I'll forward details of my bunny care website.

HTH

Karen

[Pauline]

Hiya Karen, yes it was yooooooooooo!!

Thanks for your reply and I will pm you for your website address, thanks.

The reason they have not been giving hay or straw is because the vet said that it was the cause of ear mites and to stop using it. Do you think perhaps that the vet meant stop using that particular hay, not stop altogether?

[karenw]

Hi Pauline

I don't think any vet, savvy or otherwise, would ever suggest reducing or removing hay from their diet because it's so important. I think s/he probably meant don't feed any more from that particular bale! (However, s/he should also be treating the ear mites too - I hope....)

If rabbits don't receive sufficient fibre in their diet they are very likely to develop gastric problems and this can be a factor in developing gastric stasis. Long fresh meadow hay is also essential for grinding down the molars. Without hay (or grass) to chew for a week or two then a bun is at high risk of developing dental spurs which then need to be filed down under anaesthetic.

I'll PM my website details.

Karen

[Pauline]

Thank you so much Karen, I will pass on all this information, I think perhaps that they just misunderstood what the vet was saying and I would hate for a poor bunny to be missing out and affecting it's health.