My little “chunky monkey” – HELP!

[Lara]

Well, as Beka pointed out, my Calypso is a bit of a husky boy. (I swear, he’s just big-boned!!)

He’s been on a diet for quite a while (pretty much since he’s been fixed) and did lose some weight; but I find it harder to control what he eats since I’ve gotten Echo. I want them to be able to share meals, but that means that Calypso gets some of her pellets (more than he needs, for sure). Also, he’s not nearly as active as he (I think) should be. He’ll romp with Echo for a bit, but then she flies solo for the rest of playtime. I’ve gotten him games and playhouses and what-not to increase his activity, but he’s happy just to chill out on the sidelines. Other than the occasional binky-fest, he’s pretty much a couch potato, which I think has more to do with his pudginess than his diet…

Any ideas out there as to how to get my Calypso off his cute little bunny butt??

[Deleted User]

What type of pellet is he on? I found with mine after switching to a timothy-based (Zupreem) they didn’t devour as many. Also, it may sound cruel, but measure their amounts carefully, even if one bun is dominant and sharks some of the other bun’s feed — they will learn to eat when it’s there. Just make sure there is always hay so nobody has to go hungry. Give them their fresh hay just before pellet time so they fill up on that before getting the more fattening pellets.
What type of habitat do they live in? You might be able to add more shelves or other opportunities for jumps (make a ‘healthy treat station’ in a shelf so they love going up there).
It takes time but little changes make a difference.

[BinkyBunny]

It is definitely more difficult when you have two bunnies, but if you are able to feed them somehow separately, or eat least enough so that you know each is getting their portion, and then with the rest – like Petzy suggested make it so they have to be “on the move” to get more. I used to spread my bunnies food more to get them up and moving around. I don’t do that much anymore only because Jack is suspected to have arthritis and we are currently in the process of treating that. (also they have entered into their senior years and so they are alot less enthusiastic about being active.)

Treat dispenser balls,the ones that they have to roll around to get food out of, might be something to try as well. You could put a portion of their pellet in one or two of those.

Let us know if you find something that works for them.

[jerseygirl]

To me Calypso seems a bit like part lop breed. They have shorter bodies so less space for everything to go so they look chubby. I have a lop now and it’s difficult to tell with weight. And they do actually seemed big boned. lol. Like his shoulders seem broader and rib cage is wider and extends further (or perhaps waist area is shorter?) compared to my other rabbit. It’s tricky. What does you vet say about his weight? Regardless, it’s always good to get them moving around more so I’ll watch this thread with interest.

[MooBunnay]

I like the idea about spreading the pellets around the cage. And are the pellets alfalfa based right now? If so, switching to timothy is a good idea as well. I have a couple bunnies that really just aren’t into the running around thing, and I have kept them at a decent weight by feeding just 2 tbs. of pellets per day to them (timothy based), giving them about 2 cups of veg per day, and lots of timothy hay. Even if Echo is not overweight, it will not hurt her to get less pellets as long as she continues to get the unlimited timothy hay and veggies. I’ve never really been able to get my rabbits to “play” – whenever I get in their cage they just flatten into a bunny pancake and shove their heads under my hands in order to get pets!

[Lara]

Well, the last time he saw the vet was shortly before we got Echo. She said then that he was in great condition, but he has put on a bit of weight since then. I’d like to get him back to what he was at the time. To be fair to Calypso (poor guy), he is a solid little bunny; BUT, I know that even a little bit of weight can be bad for a bunny’s health. I think I might try to get one of those treat balls and see if that gets him moving at all. I’d also like to make the bottom level of their cage bigger so that they can run around a bit more. They have three levels and both buns LOVE the top level best of all. That way they can watch their slaves, well, slaving. lol.

Oh, and his pellets are Timothy based.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I find that changing things around in their area (pen, cage, condo etc) makes for exercise-they’ll hop around checking everything out and practicing zooms and binkies after a move.

Also I’ve been doing ‘aerobics’ with my own fatty bunny Rupert-I entice him with a toy and move it around so he really gets engaged tossing and taking and batting it. He LOVES his areobics and binkies when I come in to do it with him-gets him off his butt, and hopefully we’ll have some results soon.

Also as others said-spreading pellets around is good too! If you want to feed your other bunny seperately, you could always give Calypso lap cuddles while the other eats? Or special out time in a room they don’t usualy get to go in-that’ll distract her

[Monkeybun]

Monkey disapproves of that term. She thinks Monkeys are all slender beautiful buns.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

LOL!!!!

[RabbitPam]

I LOVE that expression. Even if it’s about Monkeys, or Monkey.
*runs and ducks*

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