Does my rabbit eat too much?

[CB Millicent]

My rescue bun is of unknown age, but came from deplorable conditions and sometimes wasn't fed for days.

We've had her for 6 months now and she eats CONSTANTLY. She gets a cup of mixed greens twice a day, 1/2 cup of pellets, unlimited Timothy, AND she grazes in the lawn for 6-8 hours per day, eating grass and bun-safe plants.

She does nap for a little while, but is ALWAYS interested in food and ALWAYS wants to eat and drink.

She has maintained 2.5 kg for the past 6 months and no other problems related to this. To be fair, she does run around quite a bit, so maybe she is burning it off?

Her poops are fine, no diarrhea, but she certainly fills her litter box daily!

I thought it was normal as she's our first bun, but her buddy (11 months old) doesn't eat nearly as much and sleeps a lot more.

So, is this normal for some rabbits? Could it be a psychological reaction to being half-starved before she came to us?

Oh, and she doesn't have worms; she was on Panacure for 4 weeks when we thought she had EC (negative titer).

Thanks!

 

[MiniLopHop]

My girl Cindi came from a shelter, I don't know her previous situation. For the first 6 months I had her she would eat everything she could get. She bolted her food and would bully her bond mates to the point I had to remove one that was getting dangerously thin. Cindi is doing better now and is eating but not inhaling her food. I think that insecurity can last a long time.

Interestingly she was about 2 pounds OVERweight when I brought her home. I think she's a nervous eater and once she was in a home and settled in she isn't so afraid of everything. She has slowly lost weight as she stopped stealing food and got more exercise.

As long as they are of a good weight I won't worry about it. Just be very consistant in the time they eat so they can slowly relax knowing the food dish will be filled at the proper time.

 

[tamsin]

Yes, that actually sounds a perfect eating pattern and diet for a bunny Their tummies are designed to process lots of grass/hay as they spend hours munching.

 

[LuellaJean]

My vet told me rabbits have a digestive system a lot like a horse's, so they're designed to 'snack' constantly. I wish I could have a bunny metabolism!