Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum DIET & CARE How do I know if Mr. Hopper is getting too fat?

Viewing 21 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • bullrider76543
      Participant
      1288 posts Send Private Message

        I konw that bunnies carry thier fat in thier neck but how do I tell if Mr. Hopper is just bulked a little up for winter or getting too fat? he has small rolls under his chin. it was hard to get a pic of it so here’s a shot of what I got.

        I know I sould rely on a vets oppinion, but I also respect all of yalls knowledge.


      • LBJ10
        Moderator
        16870 posts Send Private Message

          It can be really hard to tell with rabbits. He could just be really compact. I suppose warning signs would be stuff like not being able to reach his own rear. Otherwise, I’m sure a vet would have a better idea.


        • bullrider76543
          Participant
          1288 posts Send Private Message

            ty, he is still pretty active and runs around the house a bunch. he has just always been thick lol, but he can reach his bottom fine cause he is constantly cleaning himself lol( one of the most cleanest bunnies I have ever seen LMAO)


          • Sarita
            Participant
            18851 posts Send Private Message

              Here’s a good article with some photos and descriptions:

              http://www.therabbithouse.com/diet/rabbit-weight.asp

              Mr. Hopper is adorable.


            • Sam and Lady's Human
              Participant
              2001 posts Send Private Message

                How old is Mr hopper and is he fixed?


              • bullrider76543
                Participant
                1288 posts Send Private Message

                  He is about 2 1/2 and I got him fixed when he was given to us.


                • Sam and Lady's Human
                  Participant
                  2001 posts Send Private Message

                    Ah ok I know girl bunnies get those double chins which is why I asked. I think Samson might be overweight but its really hard to tell with all that fur!


                  • bullrider76543
                    Participant
                    1288 posts Send Private Message

                      I understand, Mr. Hoppers fur is short but soooo thick. I am just watching what he eats right now so he doesnt over eat.


                    • Sam and Lady's Human
                      Participant
                      2001 posts Send Private Message

                        I actually just bought him a slimcats treat ball (http://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-SlimCat-Food-Distributor-Ball/dp/B0018CG40O) and I put his 1/4 cup of pellets in that. Its been a week but it seems to help, at least he takes a little more time to eat the pellets rather than just chowing down on them all at once.


                      • bwild
                        Participant
                        273 posts Send Private Message

                          My male rabbit, Thumper, is starting to get a HUGE double chin and my vet tells me he could still stand to gain a tad bit more weight, but I guess it really just depends on the rabbit. He’s handsome though!


                        • TriBun
                          Participant
                          314 posts Send Private Message

                            That was an awesome article Sarita, thank you!

                            Mr. Hopper DOES look a little plump. Lol


                          • bullrider76543
                            Participant
                            1288 posts Send Private Message

                              My vet said Mr. Hopper is a little heavy and to watch his intake for his health. I am giving about 6 oz of food a day for both Mr. Hopper and Nibblette and whatever hay they want. Plus I give them a little bit of cilantro, few leaves of romaine and collard greens. I am guessing I need to cut back a little on the pellets and give more greens?


                            • jerseygirl
                              Moderator
                              22338 posts Send Private Message

                                I think he looks pretty good. He might burn a bit more energy in the winter keeping warm but that depends on how warm you keep it in the house also.
                                Bullrider, is the feed you give timothy hay based? Pellets that are alfalfa based can be richer and more fattening. You mentioned one of your bunnies is a bit sensitive to greens? That might be a problem if increasing greens so if you’re unable to do that successfully, they’ll fill up on hay. Other fresh or dried plant material could be used too, like rose or apple or raspberry leaves. Another thing to do is separate the boys at pellet time so you know one is not eating more then the other.

                                 

                                 

                                That was an awesome article Sarita, thank you!

                                It was a goody! Just want to point out that Scamp, the bunny in the pictures used, is a wild rabbit, so he is leaner then most. Tribun, your Rosy  is a bit of a look-a-like.


                              • bullrider76543
                                Participant
                                1288 posts Send Private Message

                                  I am not sure if its timothy hay based its what my vet recomended it is purina complete rabbit feed.


                                • bullrider76543
                                  Participant
                                  1288 posts Send Private Message

                                    We keep him indoors all the time but his last owners put him outside a lot


                                  • jerseygirl
                                    Moderator
                                    22338 posts Send Private Message

                                       

                                      We keep him indoors all the time but his last owners put him outside a lot

                                      Oh I know! I was meaning the cooler temps in winter in general though we do keep interior temps cosy so the chilly temps probably makes little difference to the house rabbit.

                                       

                                      Is this the one?

                                      This one is alfafa based but actually, it’s not bad in terms of protein and fat content. Fibre content at 17% is on the low side though.

                                      What do you guesstimate 6oz is in cup measures? I’m so used to thinking of amounts in that way.


                                    • zpipes
                                      Participant
                                      98 posts Send Private Message

                                        Isnt the rule of thumb, if you run your hand down their back and cannot clearly feel the spine, they are overweight?


                                      • bullrider76543
                                        Participant
                                        1288 posts Send Private Message

                                          You can easily feek his backbone and ribs without pushing he just has a big double chin.


                                        • bullrider76543
                                          Participant
                                          1288 posts Send Private Message

                                            6 oz is 3/4 cup.


                                          • AbbyGirl
                                            Participant
                                            921 posts Send Private Message

                                              6oz is 3/4 of a cup when measuring liquids but this would not apply to veggies or pellets. You would have to use a scale to know how many ounces you were actually giving them.


                                            • TriBun
                                              Participant
                                              314 posts Send Private Message

                                                Posted By jerseygirl on 10/25/2011 05:10 PM

                                                 

                                                Just want to point out that Scamp, the bunny in the pictures used, is a wild rabbit, so he is leaner then most. Tribun, your Rosy  is a bit of a look-a-like.

                                                She is, huh Jersey? 

                                                Rosy is definitly on the lean side. I wonder about her sometimes.

                                                 


                                              • jerseygirl
                                                Moderator
                                                22338 posts Send Private Message

                                                  Oh! I just want to snatch her up!

                                                  OK, i just weighed some pellets. lol     3oz comes close to being 3/4cup (generous 1/2 cup) but our cup measures are bigger here in Australia. Anyway, you could definitely reduce their portions gradually down to about 1/4cup each. I *think* that’s about 1-2oz each?

                                                  Desexed rabbits don’t need as many calories. I did read once that neutered bucks can develop a little dewlap. I think it’s cute.

                                              Viewing 21 reply threads
                                              • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                                              Forum DIET & CARE How do I know if Mr. Hopper is getting too fat?