Female rabbit’s dewlap has gotten significantly more pronounced

[kristen58]

I have a female unspayed rescue rabbit adopted 10 months ago.  Since she’s a rescue, I don’t know exactly how old she is, her foster mom was estimating between 12 and 18 months old when I got her (so 22 to 28 months now). Her dewlap has gotten significantly more pronounced in the last 2-3 months.  My boyfriend thinks it’s ugly, but I think it’s cute how she rests her head on it like a pillow.  I’m wondering at what age the dewlap is supposed to become fully developed.  Can this indicate her true age?  

In case the more pronounced dewlap means she’s gained weight and isn’t about her age…she hasn’t gained any weight, I weighed her today and she’s the same 7 lbs she’s been since I adopted her.  She doesn’t seem overweight as far as I know, I can feel all her ribs, and you can see her stomach tuck up.  When I feel her stomach, there’s a tiny bit of extra fat in there, not sure if that’s normal, or if maybe she has too much fat on her.   Can you let me know how to know if she’s overweight?  

Please share your thoughts. Thanks!  

[redbunbun]

Dewlaps are partly genetic – particularly some lineages of certain breeds are more likely to develop dewlaps, even if the rabbit itself isn’t overweight at all. She may just have dewlap-prone genes. If she’s otherwise slim enough, the dewlap may be nothing more than a genetic thing! In addition, if you don’t really know her history with her being a rescue, bred does are far more likely to get dewlaps than unbred ones. She may also have had kits at some junction in her life.

Obviously, rabbits that are getting too much food/fatty food are more prone to developing dewlaps, so if you’re unsure you could always double-check her feed. What pellets is she getting and how much?

Unfortunately, I can’t really comment on the age thing, as I don’t really know if there is a connection between dewlaps and a rabbit reaching a certain age. I do know that dewlaps usually don’t develop before a doe is done growing, but if her size and weight have been steady since she’s been with you I doubt it’s that.

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