Twinks not eating much hay

[Phillystpete]

I adopted Twinks a few months ago she's just over a year old. Until I adopted her her diet was just Timothy hay sine I adopted her I've added a variety of greens and pellets. She ate all 3 foods regularly but mostly the hay (she also gets a lot of treats) then one day about month ago she stopped eating hay completely I noticed the Oxbow Timothy didn't look the way it normally looks. I called Oxbow and was told that they had a bad season for hay and suggested that I incorporate parsley or cilantro into the hay which I did she loved foraging through the hay for the greens but still not eating the hay. I've tried different brands of Timothy hay and every other type of hay I could find and she still wasn't touching it. So I tried cutting back on treats etc.and still nothing. Well 2 days ago she started nibbling on the 3 different types of hay I've been offering but nowhere near the amount she use to eat. I give her 1/8 cup of pellets and 1 cup of greens twice a day plus treats for her games and puzzles at nite. Is this ok or should I take her to the vet (my vet $100). Also I'm a male and had a great bond with her she slept in bed with me well she slept and I peted her all night or else she'd stomped and nibbled on me but I had a female spend the night and the next day she wanted nothing to do with me. 2 days went by and I was still receiving the cold shoulder. The female spent the night again and Twinks jumped in bed with us pooped, peeed and took off like a bullet. Another rabbit owner told me it might be the females Fair amones Twinks doesn't like. I clean the apartment from top to bottom washed sheets and pillows steam cleaned the floors and she still won't go in the bedroom so I've spent the past 4 nights sleeping on the living room floor trying to rebond with her it's been a slow process and she still won't go in the bedroom. She's a 4lb Lionshead rabbit does anyone have some suggestions for these 2 issues because I don't know what to do next ? Thanks for you're help and concern

 

[JBun]

You could try a different brand of hay. I just buy bales of farm hay, but the quality can vary, so you have to know what to look for in good hay. If you're ok with pricier hay, something like Small pet select seems to be a well recommended brand. You could also try a different type of hay like orchard. If after trying several different types and/or brands, and she still won't eat it well and you aren't overfeeding pellets or veg, it could be she's developed a dental issue, causing mouth pain when she chews. Then I'd suggest a dental exam by a knowledgeable rabbit vet.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Teeth
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Choosing_a_rabbit_veterinarian
https://rabbit.org/veterinarians/
As for the other issue, it's likely she feels her territory's been invaded and this has upset her and left her feeling insecure. It usually takes lots of patience building up that trusting relationship again.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/bonding-with-your-bunny.html
I'd also suggest establishing a home base area somewhere other than your room, that your rabbit can establish as her own territory. If she feels like she has this space of her own, maybe you having guests in your room won't be as upsetting to her. And you'll probably need to keep her out of your room when you have someone staying over.

Having your guests give special treats to your bun, might be another way to improve the experience and make having someone over a more positive experience for your bun. Treats can be your buns usual veg, doesn't have to be anything sugary. Just something your bun really likes.

Note: Any new foods should be gradually introduced, and sugary treats should be limited.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/treats.html
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Treats

 

[Phillystpete]

You could try a different brand of hay. I just buy bales of farm hay, but the quality can vary, so you have to know what to look for in good hay. If you're ok with pricier hay, something like Small pet select seems to be a well recommended brand. You could also try a different type of hay like orchard. If after trying several different types and/or brands, and she still won't eat it well and you aren't overfeeding pellets or veg, it could be she's developed a dental issue, causing mouth pain when she chews. Then I'd suggest a dental exam by a knowledgeable rabbit vet.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Teeth
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Choosing_a_rabbit_veterinarian
https://rabbit.org/veterinarians/
As for the other issue, it's likely she feels her territory's been invaded and this has upset her and left her feeling insecure. It usually takes lots of patience building up that trusting relationship again.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/bonding-with-your-bunny.html
I'd also suggest establishing a home base area somewhere other than your room, that your rabbit can establish as her own territory. If she feels like she has this space of her own, maybe you having guests in your room won't be as upsetting to her. And you'll probably need to keep her out of your room when you have someone staying over.

Having your guests give special treats to your bun, might be another way to improve the experience and make having someone over a more positive experience for your bun. Treats can be your buns usual veg, doesn't have to be anything sugary. Just something your bun really likes.

Note: Any new foods should be gradually introduced, and sugary treats should be limited.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/treats.html
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Treats

Thank you for all the information I've tied all types of hay I'll bit the bullet and pay the $100 vet fee he's unfortunately the only vet seeing rabbits in my area ($100 and he owns a rabbit himself).
Thanks again I greatly appreciate the knowledge I love and worry about her you know how it goes.
.

You could try a different brand of hay. I just buy bales of farm hay, but the quality can vary, so you have to know what to look for in good hay. If you're ok with pricier hay, something like Small pet select seems to be a well recommended brand. You could also try a different type of hay like orchard. If after trying several different types and/or brands, and she still won't eat it well and you aren't overfeeding pellets or veg, it could be she's developed a dental issue, causing mouth pain when she chews. Then I'd suggest a dental exam by a knowledgeable rabbit vet.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Teeth
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Choosing_a_rabbit_veterinarian
https://rabbit.org/veterinarians/
As for the other issue, it's likely she feels her territory's been invaded and this has upset her and left her feeling insecure. It usually takes lots of patience building up that trusting relationship again.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/bonding-with-your-bunny.html
I'd also suggest establishing a home base area somewhere other than your room, that your rabbit can establish as her own territory. If she feels like she has this space of her own, maybe you having guests in your room won't be as upsetting to her. And you'll probably need to keep her out of your room when you have someone staying over.

Having your guests give special treats to your bun, might be another way to improve the experience and make having someone over a more positive experience for your bun. Treats can be your buns usual veg, doesn't have to be anything sugary. Just something your bun really likes.

Note: Any new foods should be gradually introduced, and sugary treats should be limited.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/treats.html
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Treats

.

You could try a different brand of hay. I just buy bales of farm hay, but the quality can vary, so you have to know what to look for in good hay. If you're ok with pricier hay, something like Small pet select seems to be a well recommended brand. You could also try a different type of hay like orchard. If after trying several different types and/or brands, and she still won't eat it well and you aren't overfeeding pellets or veg, it could be she's developed a dental issue, causing mouth pain when she chews. Then I'd suggest a dental exam by a knowledgeable rabbit vet.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Teeth
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Choosing_a_rabbit_veterinarian
https://rabbit.org/veterinarians/
As for the other issue, it's likely she feels her territory's been invaded and this has upset her and left her feeling insecure. It usually takes lots of patience building up that trusting relationship again.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/bonding-with-your-bunny.html
I'd also suggest establishing a home base area somewhere other than your room, that your rabbit can establish as her own territory. If she feels like she has this space of her own, maybe you having guests in your room won't be as upsetting to her. And you'll probably need to keep her out of your room when you have someone staying over.

Having your guests give special treats to your bun, might be another way to improve the experience and make having someone over a more positive experience for your bun. Treats can be your buns usual veg, doesn't have to be anything sugary. Just something your bun really likes.

Note: Any new foods should be gradually introduced, and sugary treats should be limited.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/treats.html
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Treats

Thank you for all this information I greatly appreciate it.
I've tried all different hays so I'm gonna bite the bullet and pay the $100 vet fee and have her teeth checked out she was just there a month ago but things change in a months time.
Thanks again