Does my little fatty need to go on a bunny diet?

[holtzchick]

Peter looks pretty hefty when he's laying down. But, when he is running or jumping he SEEMS to look a healthy weight. I don't think he's overweight but maybe slightly. I feed him about 3/4 cup of martins little friends Timothy pellets everyday and he has unlimited hay. I also give him some sort of treat (as in fruit) everyday at the end of the night when he goes back into his cage but not very much just a small piece.

Does my little fatty need to go on a bunny diet?

Thanks,
Michelle

 

[OneTwoThree]

Its really impossible to tell by a photo, your best bet is to take him to the vet. How old is he? The recommended amount of pellets is 1/4-1/2 cup per 6lbs of bunny daily.

 

[holtzchick]

Thanks for the reply!

He's about a year now and last time he went to the vet was beginning of October which the vet said he was healthy. but I don't know I think he may have gained weight... maybe I should measure his food out properly. I usually just take a big handful from the bag but I should use a measuring cup from now on... Maybe that'll help.

 

[OneTwoThree]

Haha yeah, it might. I'm a chronic pellet-overfeeder myself. I also started putting one buns 1/4 cup of pellets in a slimcats treat ball, it makes it last a little longer for her

 

[OneTwoThree]

Here, check out this site, it has some good images of what to look for
http://www.therabbithouse.com/diet/rabbit-weight.asp

 

[MiniLopHop]

I think it is very hard to tell from a photo. It's more of a feeling thing. Some breeds, like my mini lop, have a round figure even at a good weight, it's just in the bone structure. In Becky's case, I know she is a good weight because the vet said she was. When I run my hands over her it's easy to feel the spine and ribs, but they aren't sharp or sticking out (too skinny). She's also not like Cinderella, who is on a diet. With Cindi she has the same basic body shape, but she is a mini satin. When I run my hands over her it's hard to feel any ribs or spine because there's a good layer of fat there.

Cindi came from being in a shelter with very limited exercise for 4 years. She was 7 pounds when I got her! Now she's down to 5.5 with some to go. I encourage her to exercise by playing games with her and strictly limit sugary snacks such as fruit or starchy vegetables. I use lots of praise and kisses for positive reinforcement, which she seems to enjoy just as much as food.

Good luck

 

[BunnyButter]

So, from what I've read, bunny weight can be seen in their chest. Like, if it slopes down from the neck, it's healthier than if it looks like the bunny has filled out in the front and has a barrel chest. Also, like MiniLopHop was saying, the ribs and hips should not be pronounced but you should feel them. You know how dogs look when they are obese or underfed, etc? I think it is about the same standard, but for rabbits...

Anyways! Guess watching food is always the best thing to do. Butter seems to be pretty good at monitoring herself. She also gets LOTS of floor time and exercise time, so I'm not too concerned (yet).

 

[I_heart_Fraggles]

My girl Fraggles is on a diet right now. Not only could you not feel any ribs or hips but she was getting a roll around her middle which minilophop refered to as her....."flubby". I am filled with shame :tongue:

 

[jujub793]

We have a ( not) secret society for those types of bunnies. BBA ( big Bunny's Annonymous). :baghead

 

[Nancy McClelland]

She's just bigg furred. We had a few of ours that came to us really "rotund" and we cut the pellet to a couple tablespoons and gave them all the hay they can eat. They now look more like rabbits than furry blobs with ears.

 

[tamsin]

I_heart_Fraggles wrote:

she was getting a roll around her middle which minilophop refered to as her....."flubby".

lol !


Just to add, most bunnies look a little plump lying like that as their tummies turn into a puddle. It's really best to give them a feel when standing up of four paws.

How old is your bun? If he's been to the vet as an adult they maybe able to give you weight if you call, and you can see if he's gone up and down. Knowing your individual buns normal weight when adult and healthy is really handy any time your worried they are up or down.

 

[Acacia-Berry]

Since it's dangerous to put bunnies on a strict diet if you're not sure maybe have hi looked at by the vet. Weighed and compared to his breed(s) standard. The pic looks fine to me. As someone else stated, some breeds are more rotund than others. If they're eating a good quality timothy pellet (1/4 cup per day per 6lbs or so) and unlimited hay and treats in moderation [which you're doing] then he should be healthy.
A thing to watch for, make sure he is able to easily get under to eat his cecals. That is crucial. When I first adopted my mini rex she was a round ball (bc her old owner fed her bad grey grass, and colorful cheap seed pellets and whatever ravioli the rats flicked down-honest to god) So a regiment of good hay, good pellets, green salads and no treats for a while set her straight util she could duck under and eat her cecals.

 

[MiniLopHop]

yeah, Cindi had that problem at first too. I even had to shave her bum because she couldn't keep herself clean. 1 1/2 pounds may not sound like much, but that is a HUGE difference when you are only 5.5 pounds. She moves so much better now. Salads (leafy greens, herbs, and flowers only) are still her favorite.