Weight Loss

[Saffy]

I have a 2 year old Netherland Dwarf who is, at this moment, moulting .. trouble is, he looks really scrawny, not like his usual self.

He's not long since been put in a cage with his bunny friend Mookie who, I have to admit, is a bit of a big lass - could she possibly be getting more of the food? Though it's unlikely, as Benji can certainly stick up for himself.

Although they were kept apart in seperate cages for over a year, they met together in the garden to play, and always got on.Circumstances at Xmas meant I had to put them together, as a friend asked if I would look after her two buns as her father was very ill ..her cage was far too large to transport so I said OK, will put Moo and Ben together ... to be honest, I wish I'd done this earlier as they are so in love with one another and constrantly kiss and groom and snuggle up .... tis lovely to see.

Just a bit concerned re. Benji as I said .. though he seems healthy enough otherwise .. soft poos, but not overly runny ... and he's a happy little thing, running round the garden madly at the moment shouting FREEDOM !!

 

[naturestee]

Maybe you could separate them for a little bit while they get their pellets? Then you could give him more.

Is he eating hay? That should help with the soft poops.

If getting him more pellets doesn't solve the problem, it's probably time for a vet appointment to make sure there's nothing else going on.

Just checking but is at least one of the rabbits neutered?

 

[Saffy]

Yes they're both neutered .. They're both absolutely shattered now .. they've been out in our large garden for the last 4 hours .. think all they'll want to do is sleep .. heh !

Will make sure Benji gets a good share before Mookie gets her head stuck in the bowl ..

thank you for your reply..

 

[Wee Wabbits]

Try giving him some whole oats and alfalfa hay to gain weight and some molasses and wheat germ to help him with the shedding. Works wonders for my rabbits. Good luck.

 

[2bunmom]

What kind of wheat germ are you using?Is it the kind that you can buy in the grocery store?How much of it do you feed to your rabbits? I am sure it probably depends on the size of the rabbit. Thanks for sharing this info with us. Beckie., Trouble and Trixie

 

[Snuggys Mom]

I have to sneak extra oats and treats to Baby because she's housed with Snuggy and I can't tell who's eating more pellets.Baby has a good appetite and pigs out when I put pellets and salads down for them, but has always been on the skinny side.

Nutri-cal is another option you may want to consider for Benji. It's a high calorie, high nutrient supplement for cats and dogs and is safe for rabbits.

 

[dootsmom]

I had a situation, a few years ago, where Dancer was hogging all the food and was actually starving Little-One. I had noticed that she was losing weight but attributed it to her having more freedom and exercise. Then,I began to sneak up on them and watched what was happening at the"watering hole". Every time that Little-One went to eat, Dancer would charge her and chase her away from the food. As soon as I seperated them, Little-One began to gain weight and once again became her little fat self. The two of them loved each other!!! It's just that Dancer loved his food more!!
Charlotte

 

[Wee Wabbits]

Yes just regular wheat germ. Sprinkle it on their pellets or mix with oats, I generally do a teaspoon to a tablespoon every couple days. Also was thinking.Try putting a couple food dishes in seperate places in the enclosure.

 

[Pipp]

dootsmom wrote:

The two of them loved each other!!! It's just that Dancer loved his food more!!

:laugh: