I think I’m making Ophelia fat

[Deleted User]

Well, the title says it all.

To be honest, I really have been spoiling her since Quincy is gone. She gets unlimited hay, 1 1/2 cups veggies in the AM as well as 1/8 cup pellets. Then I’m gone at work all day and I give her another 1 1/2 cups veggies when I get home, then another 1/8 cup pellets at dinner time, and some snacks in between (either herbal blend or some different veggies, such as green bell pepper or a few pieces or matchstick carrots, or some banana or dried cranberry 3-4x a week on treat days.

The fruits are no more than 2 tsp, 3-4x a week, but obviously I’ll start there on trying to trim down some. I don’t think she’s necessarily overweight, but I think she is definitely plump. I’ve also been giving her a little more pellets (an extra tablespoon) because she is molting lately as well. Could she be just looking more “plump” because of molting? When I stroke her I get clumps of loose fur coming out, so is it possible that the “loosened” fur makes her appear more padded?

She’s free range, so exercise time isn’t an issue. She has a sandbox that she runs around and binkies in as well. Besides cutting down on fruits and the sugary vegetables (carrot and bell pepper) what’s a good way to keep her in shape? Anybody have any tips to get her more active? She does lounge a lot, she typically does bunny maddness for a few hours in the early morning (3am-5am) but otherwise she’s alone for the day and is pretty chill at night as well.

[Mikey]

Ive noticed with my three that they will start to look like theyre gaining weight at the start of a large moult. I think it is because of the fur coming loose. It could be that she is actually gaining weight, but I wouldnt alter her diet until after her moult, just in case If you do need to alter her diet, I would cut down to only 1/8th pellets a day instead.

[Fluffykins]

If you wanted to cut down I would second the cutting out the second serving of pellets too. Or make it half.

Also maybe cut treat days down to 2 days a week. You could also alter the amount of veg you give, currently it’s 3 cups a day so if you wanted could do something like 3 cups one day then 2 cups the next, then 3 cups etc.

You have quite a few options to play around with

[Deleted User]

Mikey, I wondered if the fur was just making her look a little chunkier! I don’t have an accurate way to weigh her at home, but she snuggles in the bed with me at night and she doesn’t FEEL heavier or larger, just a bit fluffier- mostly her chest and bum area just look bigger.

Fluffykins, yes, she gets so much stuff I have many options for cutting here or there. I figure it’s obviously best to cut down on fruit first…I’ve been trying to cut her down to just 1 tsp only 3x a week….but my willpower is shattered when she begs and begs for more lol. But I’ve decided we will definitely cut the treats down, I just have to be firm and not give in to her cuteness and as Mikey suggested, I’m going to keep the pellets at 1/8 cup 2x a day until she’s done with the moult since she could probably use the extra nutrients in regrowing her coat.

By the way, have either of you ever had a dutch rabbit? Her fur is so compact and silky so it’s very hard to get much out with a brush, so I usually use my index and middle finger and pull loose clumps out. I noticed that her black fur is actually half white?! I thought it was all black, just like her white fur is all white. But it’s interesting that it’s two-tone.

[Mikey]

My Badger is a dutch mix. Brushes dont really work for him (Ive tried about brushes at this point, lol). So I just wet my hands and pet him to get the fur off him. I also just pluck his loose fur while petting him, but this tickles him a lot. Its adorable, but he definitely gives me bunny butt for a bit after a petting/plucking session

Maybe she has some tort in her? Normally tort is tan/orange+black with white, but more recently black/grey/blue with white is becoming more and more common.

[Fluffykins]

I’ve only ever had mini lops (Holland lops).

Have either of you tried using the furminator? I really can’t recommend it enough!

My fluffykins is brown (I don’t know the proper name haha, maybe fawn)?? With white. He has white legs like little permanent booties, it’s adorable.

When he’s moulting I notice the fur has really dark almost black tips.

[joea64]

Posted By Fluffykins on 12/14/2017 4:36 AM

I’ve only ever had mini lops (Holland lops).

Have either of you tried using the furminator? I really can’t recommend it enough!

My fluffykins is brown (I don’t know the proper name haha, maybe fawn)?? With white. He has white legs like little permanent booties, it’s adorable.

When he’s moulting I notice the fur has really dark almost black tips.

Which version of the Furminator do you use? Amazon carries variants for dogs and cats, and I’m assuming off the top of my head it’s the cat version you mean (since often the same tools, such as the Hair Buster comb, are used for cats and rabbits).

[ThorBunny]

BN, I’ve also noticed that Thor looks a little plumper right before a big molt, I think it’s just all the extra fluff but you could always start weighing her if you are worried! I have a baby scale that works really well for weighing Thor since she is not cooperative with being picked up.

Two tone fur! Thor has the same thing, she looks all black but her fur is pure white at the base. And her undercoat is white.

[Author]

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