Overweight?

[mrmac]

What is the best way to tell if a bunny is overweight?

[MooBunnay]

Usually the best way is to look at your bunnys shape and see if your bunny has clearly defined hips and shoulders. When they are laying down they should look a bit peanut shaped, and you should be able to see a curve out where their shoulders are, and then again where their stomach is, and then again where their hips are. Also they should be able to easily clean their backs and be able to reach their cecotropes.

[Beka27]

Was it your bunnies that we thought might be part lop? If so, they may have a bulkier build too, kind of square or like a bowling ball. When the vet examines them, they will say whether or not they’re overweight, it’s hard to really tell unless you know what you’re looking for and have been around many different buns. With mine, I can easily feel their ribs, but they don’t jut out.

[BunnyLiz]

This is in the FAQ in the Info tab. I remembered reading it on here so just copied and pasted it for you.

Q12. How can I tell if my bunny is fit?
Answer: I cannot say it better than an exerpt I found in an diet article on http://www.rabbitnetwork.org.

“How do you know if your bunny is fat? Many house rabbits are, and they are not at all embarrassed by it! Rabbits store fat inside their abdomen, which makes just eyeballing them for love handles ineffective. 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!”

[mrmac]

Thanks so much! Just curious, they both weigh 6-6.5 lbs and they look good and were just at the vet but just to know since they are only a year old, not that I plan on getting them fat but you know!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

That sounds like good weights for them-reallly a vet is best to decide but I think you’d easily be able to tell if they were overweight!

[mrmac]

My husband thinks both Davey and Delilah are overweight now and I sure dont know?! They do seem to be getting bigger but alot of it seems like fur, which is getting really thick lately. Davey has a little pooch under his chin, I cant tell if it is a dewlap or not? They are only a year ish old and my husband is worrying that they are and are going to be huge!

[ZooLady]

My bunny seems to be overweight…..I need a diet plan. He definately balloons out after the ribs–you’d be hard pressed to find a waist. It’s those carrots..

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