Healthy weight

[MissKris&Koji]

I was wondering if anyone had any good article links or advice on how to determine if your rabbit is at a good, healthy weight.

The vet told me Koji was in good condition when we had out first checkup, but at his third visit he had gained a few ounces. Could just be he drank before we left, but I know with a 2lb bunny, a few ounces is more considerable than on, say, a 10 lb bunny. And he did seem to feel slightly heavier when I picked him up. So I cut back pellets just a little. I would say he was getting 1.5 teaspoons twice per day, and now we are at about 1 tsp twice per day.

I was just hoping someone could tell me what he should feel like, so I can monitor him and make sure I’m feeding the right amount to maintain a good weight. I also have a digital kitchen scale, and he’s so easygoing I could weigh him regularly too once I know what is a good weight for him. I don’t know how well that would work, I don’t know how much their weights fluctuate, but I could do it if you all think that’s the best approach. But I did a google and it said that you shouldn’t really feel the verebrae of the spine, and I can – and always have been able to – on him. I am guessing this is somewhat a matter of breed and genetics, too, as a pet breed probably isn’t as… heavily fleshed as a bunny descended from rabbits meant for consumption.

So how do you all check for weight/body condition?

[stephyowns]

I don’t really know but you should probably state the type of bunny you have and how old he or she is so that someone will be able to better assist you.

[Monkeybun]

I don’t worry too much about my bunnies weight, as long as they aren’t visibly chubby, and as long as they are active. If they start getting lazy, thats when I get them going by making them work for treats and such.

Young bunnies especially, i wouldn’t worry too much about unless you can really tell they need to lose the weight.

[jerseygirl]

I think they can fluctuate some. They can also appear bigger depending on their coat or right before they begin to shed.

I actually thought you chould be able to feel the spine but not see it / the vertabrae.

I use this guide: 

Run your hands along your rabbit’s side, feeling the rib cage. When you reach the end of the ribs, your should be able to feel a slight inward slope, the waist. Fat bunnies will balloon out instead. Remember that the ribs are palpable in even quite obese rabbits, so don’t let your bunny fool you into more snacks! http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/articl…tml   

Sometimes it’s easier to see by just looking straight down at them. It’s harder to see this waist on many lops though as they have shorter bodies.

[MissKris&Koji]

I was actually more concerned about too thin, not too heavy. Although of course I will keep an eye out for a happy medium, I just noticed how boney they do feel, and Koji has been really subdued the last 2 days, so I was concerned maybe he hasn’t been getting enough to eat so was lacking in energy? Probably coincidental, I guess.

Anyways, thanks Jersey, that is helpful – I wasn’t sure how much bone feeling is normal, but a waist should be easy to check for!

[jerseygirl]

I think it’s ok to see the hips defined but there should be a soft roundedness feel to them. You can also feel the top of the spine but not be able to see most of it. You don’t want them to have a really angular look and the skin lookig like it’s draping, if that makes sense.

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