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My bunny may be overweight, but he’s not obese… right? Read on to learn how to answer today’s burning question: “Is my rabbit fat?”

Does this carrot make me look fat?

© TheHut35 /Adobe Stock

Obesity in pet rabbits is not uncommon – in fact, it is one of the most prevalent conditions seen by veterinarians, and it is not getting any better.

This month (January 2020) the British Veterinary Association (BVA), in conjunction with the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA), the British Veterinary Zoological Society (BVZS), and the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) issued a policy statement on obesity in dogs, cats, horses, donkeys and rabbits.

When surveyed in 2017, British veterinarians and veterinary nurses estimated that nearly one-third of all rabbits they saw in their practices were overweight!

Wow. If one in three bunnies is overweight, then we better learn how to tell the difference. Why? Just look at this list of problems…

What a fat rabbit can end up with:



• Cessation of caecotrophy (leading to vitamin imbalances)

• Urine scalding

• Pododermatitis, or “sore hocks”

• Flystrike

• Diarrhea

• Gastrointestinal stasis

• Sediment in the bladder and urinary problems

• Arthritis

• Renal lipomatosis

• Atherosclerosis

• Dental disease

• Anesthetic risk

• Hepatic lipidosis

• Hyperthermia

My rabbit isn’t fat, he’s just a little plump.

It’s true; there is a difference between being an overweight bunny and an obese, or fat, rabbit.

Being overweight is defined as you would expect – having more body fat than you should. Obesity, on the other hand, is defined as a condition where the excess fat is causing or is likely to cause a detriment to your rabbit’s health and welfare.

So, how do I know if my rabbit is fat?

Rabbits come in so many different sizes that it may be confusing to even figure out whether your bunny has tipped the scale or not. Image © mariesacha/Adobe Stock

The BVA supports two criteria to assess rabbit weight: 1. Body Condition Scoring and 2. Ongoing monitoring of weight and measurements.

Body Condition Scoring: The Rabbit Size-O-Meter

This may look somewhat familiar to you; I know I have seen similar scales for dogs in my vet’s office. It really is an excellent tool to help determine your bunny’s place in the spectrum from underweight to overweight. Have a look and then see where your bunny fits on the scale:

Thank you to the Pet Food Manufacturer’s Association (PFMA) for permission to re-print the Rabbit Size-O-Meter.

Ongoing Weight Monitoring

You should also monitor your bunny’s weight so that you will notice any unusual changes. While it may be difficult to know exactly what your rabbit should weigh, monitoring trends will be helpful.

When my bun Pudge was ill, he became noticeably thinner and I began doing daily weights while he recuperated.

Be careful with standard breed recommended weights; while they provide a great starting point, your rabbit is an individual and may have variables such as age and underlying health that will impact his ideal weight. This is why the Rabbit Size-O-Meter is such a great tool.

How did my bunny get to be overweight?

The same survey I mentioned earlier (which, by the way is discussed in the policy statement by BVA et al) showed a consensus among veterinarians that lack of owner awareness of obesity was felt to be the most common cause of obesity in rabbits.

But we won’t fall into that category now, because we are learning how to recognize obesity and how to care for our bunnies to give them every chance of avoiding the unhealthy state of being a fat rabbit.

Just like us, if your bunny takes in more energy (calories) than he expends, he will put on weight. This is common sense, but perhaps easier said than done.

There are three main causes of rabbit obesity. Let’s look at each and learn what we can do to address them.

Not recognizing obesity

As discussed above, the lack of awareness of what a rabbit should weigh and what he should look like are felt to be big factors in obesity. It is up to us as responsible pet owners to know what we are looking for and to monitor our bunnies accordingly. Use the Rabbit Size-O-Meter described above and monitor your pet’s weight both at home and with regular veterinary care.

Diet – What and How Much

This is a big one. A proper diet is so, so important for rabbits! This cannot be overstated.

With rabbits, it is equally, if not more, important to know what to feed them as it is to know how much to feed them. A properly balanced diet is important to maintain a healthy weight but it is also important for so much more like dental health, and preventing GI stasis both of which can lead to serious or fatal outcomes.

Please, take a minute to click the links in the last paragraph. As always, links open in a separate window so you will not lose your place here.

Great! Now that you checked out our other articles on diet and nutrition, let’s move on to our next topic, which – unsurprisingly – is exercise.

Exercise

Make sure your bunnies have ample room and time to exercise. This means room to run but it also includes allowing your rabbit to be a rabbit. Provide a home for them where they are free to engage in normal rabbity things, like foraging, burrowing, chewing, grazing and zooming around.

Foraging and grazing are important

natural behaviors for rabbits

© Ryan/Adobe Stock

Make a foraging box

You can make simple foraging boxes by hiding treats or timothy hay cubes in a cardboard box filled with hay and shredded paper. Change it up from time to time to keep your bunny stimulated.

Chew toys are essential for your rabbit’s dental health, and her psychosocial health. We aren’t going to psychoanalyze our bunnies, but it is true that a rabbit who is not allowed to engage in normal bunny activities, such as chewing, is likely to get bored or depressed. This can lead to destructive behavior or behavioral withdrawal which can then cause ill health, obesity and chewed carpeting.

Take the time to give your rabbit the things she needs to be happy and healthy. You will all be happier for it.

How do I help my overweight rabbit lose weight?

We have been discussing causes and prevention measures, but if you have a rabbit who is already overweight, you must address the problem cautiously with gradual changes and close monitoring. It is strongly recommended that this be done with the guidance of your veterinarian.

Gradually adjust diet

Change or decrease your rabbit’s diet gradually and monitor his output and tolerance carefully. When introducing greens, do so one at a time and if changing kibble, do it gradually by mixing some of the new with the old and gradually changing the ratio.

Umm, hooman…

you didn’t fill my bowl

© Ermolaev Alexandr /Adobe Stock

Always keep your rabbit’s individual needs and underlying health conditions in mind, and always ensure that his diet is complete with respect to her nutritional needs. Again, consult with your rabbit-savvy veterinarian.

Exercise should also be increased gradually and monitored. This includes the choice of activity, as well as the frequency and duration of sessions. Again, consider veterinary advice.

Try providing mentally stimulating toys (Stacking cups are great) and activities to foster normal behaviors, as discussed above.

Make sure your rabbit is tolerating his exercise level and has the ability to rest in a safe place when she needs it. A hidey-home made of cardboard will work great for this, or try some tunnels or other interesting ideas such as these.

Bye for now!

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