Weight gain

[nat1234]

My senior rabbit has been having some health issues (not rlly gonna get into it on this post) but he went to the vet and they said while he's not underweight he's a little on the thin side. I would like him to gain a little before he gets surgery and am currently looking into good foods for weight gain.
I've decided on canned pumpkin, oats, and black oil sunflower seeds.
He weights about 3ish Ibs so how much of each should I give?
If anyone has any other foods they give I'm open to recommendations as well

 

[Mariam+Theo]

@Apollo’s Slave has had some experience with this, so maybe she can help.

 

[Apollo’s Slave]

If you feed pellets, i would increase his pellets a little.
I would also give oats, about 1-2tsp a day should be okay. I’ve not personally fed Black oil sunflower seeds but according to a few websites, no more than six should be fed. I’m not too sure about canned pumpkin either as it’s quite sweet (I think). Barley rings also helped my bunny with her weight!

Because your rabbit is thin but not underweight, it shouldn’t take too long for him to get to a nicer weight. I hope his surgery goes well!!

 

[nat1234]

If you feed pellets, i would increase his pellets a little.
I would also give oats, about 1-2tsp a day should be okay. I’ve not personally fed Black oil sunflower seeds but according to a few websites, no more than six should be fed. I’m not too sure about canned pumpkin either as it’s quite sweet (I think). Barley rings also helped my bunny with her weight!

Because your rabbit is thin but not underweight, it shouldn’t take too long for him to get to a nicer weight. I hope his surgery goes well!!

thank you! currently he gets 2tbsp, should i up it by 1tbsp?

i've seen a few of my mutuals on tiktok use pumpkin w/ their pellet free rabbits for weight gain. not a daily item but a few times per week.
i also read up on it:
https://www.rabbitcaretips.com/can-i-feed-rabbits-pumpkin/https://smallpetshq.com/can-rabbits-eat-pumpkin/http://www.disabledrabbits.com/supplements.htmlit's very nutrient and calorie dense, and rabbits see it as a treat also high fiber which is a plus bc he's been having digestive issues (bloodwork will hopefully tell us why he keeps going into stasis so frequently)
hopefully i won't have to try to put weight on him for long, but it does seem like seniors always struggle with either being underweight or overweight

 

[AVIE]

Oddly, my vet has me give my pug pumpkin to lose weight. How different all these little beasts are! It must be the fiber pugs arent used too?

 

[nat1234]

Oddly, my vet has me give my pug pumpkin to lose weight. How different all these little beasts are! It must be the fiber pugs arent used too?

one of the sites said it would be good for weight loss, because it causes a feeling of fullness
but bunnies will typically overeat when given the opportunity, especially with treat foods !

 

[nat1234]

so i also ordered flaxseed
how does this weekly schedule look:

zekes meals

Sunday-

Am:

• 1/2 tsp oats
• 1/4 tsp flax

Pm:

• 1/2 tbsp pumpkin

Monday-

Am:

• 1/2 tsp oats

Pm:

• 1/4 tsp black oil sunflower seeds

Tuesday-

Am:

• 1/2 tsp oats

Pm:

• 1 tsp pumpkin

Wednesday-

Am:

• 1/2 tsp oats

Pm:

• 1/4 tsp flax

Thursday-

Am:

• 1/2 tsp oats

Pm:

• 1/4 tsp black oil sunflower seeds

Friday-

Am:

• 1/2 tsp oats
• 1/4 tsp flax

Pm:

1/2 tbsp pumpkin

Saturday-

Am:

• 1/2 tsp oats

Pm:

• 1/4 tsp black oil sunflower seeds

 

[Apollo’s Slave]

Seems good!

 

[Happy Hollands]

so i also ordered flaxseed
how does this weekly schedule look:

zekes meals

Sunday-

Am:

• 1/2 tsp oats
• 1/4 tsp flax

Pm:

• 1/2 tbsp pumpkin

Monday-

Am:

• 1/2 tsp oats

Pm:

• 1/4 tsp black oil sunflower seeds

Tuesday-

Am:

• 1/2 tsp oats

Pm:

• 1 tsp pumpkin

Wednesday-

Am:

• 1/2 tsp oats

Pm:

• 1/4 tsp flax

Thursday-

Am:

• 1/2 tsp oats

Pm:

• 1/4 tsp black oil sunflower seeds

Friday-

Am:

• 1/2 tsp oats
• 1/4 tsp flax

Pm:

1/2 tbsp pumpkin

Saturday-

Am:

• 1/2 tsp oats

Pm:

• 1/4 tsp black oil sunflower seeds

Looks like a good diet plan to me! Maybe give BOSS daily, 2-4 as a treat - it should increase coat condition as well!