Q.
My rabbit, Daisy, isn't good about getting hairballs. I saw at the shop a pack to grow wheat grass for cats, which they eat also it helps prevent hairballs. I understand some cat stuff can be used on rabbits, although not all of it. Can my rabbit eat this wheat grass, and would it help her with hairballs? There isn't any dirt in it whatsoever, just grass.
A.
First, let's address the thought of “hairballs,” also known as trichobezoars, in rabbits. Most rabbit veterinarians don't believe that pet rabbits get hairballs; instead, what we see are diseases more properly termed gastric stasis or intestinal stasis.
Rabbits normally have hair and food material within their stomach. When rabbits avoid eating well and a veterinarian can palpate a large, doughy mass within the stomach, for the reason that there is intestinal stasis, not since there is a hairball.
Many reasons for intestinal stasis in rabbits exist, but the No. 1 cause is an inappropriate diet. In a nutshell, an inappropriate diet for rabbits is one that includes not enough fiber and too many calories.
If your rabbit has bouts of stasis, my first recommendation is to consider diets that are higher in fiber minimizing in calories, and also you must avoid offering any sugary treats.
The wheat grass may be a nice kind of hay to grow for your rabbit, but that alone isn't enough. You need to consider feeding hay as a large element of the diet. The wheat grass is likely safe to feed your rabbit, however i advise that you go to your veterinarian using the wheat grass package so he or she can examine it to be certain there are no hidden ingredients, pesticides or preservatives that might be dangerous for your rabbit.
