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Runny Poo No More! The No Pellet Rabbit Diet

Updated on May 20, 2010
Wild bunnies understand the importance of hay, even in the face of rhinos...
Wild bunnies understand the importance of hay, even in the face of rhinos...

Does your rabbit suffer from stinky runny poo that sticks to the fur and clumps in a disgusting mess that is almost impossible to clean off? Do they seem to be in constant moulting that never stops?

These issues could be caused by feeding your rabbit commercially produced rabbit pellets. Much like processed people food, too much and sometimes, any at all commercially produced rabbit food can play havoc with your rabbit's digestive system and health.

Most of the time we're told by pet stores that a good diet for rabbits is hay and pellets, and they're right, sort of. Hay is exceptionally important, in fact, if you are feeding a high quality meadow hay with a range of grasses in it, hay should be able to form 99% of your rabbit's diet, occasionally supplemented by a little carrot or apple for additional vitamins.

Many commercial rabbit pellets, especially the pellets that are recommended for guinea pigs and rabbits can cause tummy upsets in rabbits that make them impossible to have around the house. If you have a long haired rabbit, smushy poo in the fur is the owner's worst nightmare, as bunnies don't take well to baths and clipping the mess out is a distinctly unpleasant task. One way or another, you're going to end up covered in bunny poop.

I used to have these problems until I switched my cashmere mini lop Wicket over to a near 100% hay diet. She also gets dandelion leaves which she loves, and which apparently help control molting. At one stage, Wicket was a continuously molting mess who would regularly be seen hopping around with mushy poo in her fur. After changing to the hay / dandelion diet, with carrot to provide Vitamin A, which is essential for rabbits, her coat is looking absolutely beautiful and her poo is nice and regular as it should be.

So remember, just because it says 'rabbit pellets' on the bag, it doesn't mean it will actually be good for your bunny. All rabbits are different of course, however it is not uncommon for commercial pellets to cause stomach troubles, and if your rabbit isn't looking quite right and his or her digestive system seems out of whack, try feeding masses of hay and no pellets at all. As long as you supplement the diet with small amounts of vitamin rich rabbit safe vegetables like carrot once in a while, your bunny will be much healthier than if he or she was on a processed food diet.

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