Uh-oh…Bunnehs needz diet?

[MimzMum]

I’ve been noticing the last couple of times I’ve picked up Pip and Mimzy, they seem to be getting a little rounder than they used to be.

All input and output is normal. But they are sadly lacking in real exercise. No matter how often I bring them out to play, they would just rather sit in their tent and watch the world go by. (lolz…I’m one to talk!)

 

Sooo….time for bunnehs to go on the weight watching bandwagon? I’m thinking yes. Especially when I have to watch them still doing the dominance dance and I’m afraid one of them is going to crush the other! >.<

 

How does one go about putting their bunnies on a diet? I’m currently trying to wean them off wheat hay, both because the BB store is out of it and because Binky said it’s high in calories. They need to cut down on treats (I know, I am a bad bunny slave…I am ashamed!) but I’m wondering, do I need to cut out veggies as well? Except for carrots, there’s no real sugar there, right?

 

Also, how DOES one get a bunny moving without stressing it too much? I’m not going to put them through an obstacle course or anything, but I’d like to know what one does to get those ‘buns of steel’? ^_^

[osprey]

Just like us, the best way to get a bun to slim down is to decrease calories and increase exercise.  Usually the best way to reduce calories is to limit pellets, with some bunnies to as little as a tablespoon per day.  Most veggies are fine, things like carrots obviously should be limited as well as fruit.  Oat hay and wheat hay have more calories than regular grass hays, you can limit those too.

As to making them run around more, we sometimes build little play areas for our guys, with boxes, wooden boards and we make bridges, ramps and box piles for them to climb on.  Another trick I learned from Dr. Harvey is to not give them their pellets in a bowl, spread them out on the floor and make the bunnies “forage” for them.  I do this with their greens sometimes too.

 

[JamieM]

I don’t know about your bunnies, it seems they’re not as active as Layla is, but she LOVES to be chased. She also dances with me. It’s really cute, I’ll put the music on, and dance around her and she moves to the music too and is always facing me… Maybe won’t work for you, but it seems like an idea! Plus, it gets you moving too!

[MimzMum]

lolz…I wish I could have my bunnies dance! I used to dance all the time, but the old bod just doesn’t move the way it used to!

Thanks for the suggestions Osprey, I’ll try those out! I kinda figured it’d be something like that, but wanted to double-check just to be sure.

*giggle* I just got a mental image of Mimzy taking a little pad of paper and looking over the groceries I bring home and ticking off the calorie count! XD

[kimberleyanddarren]

oh no bunnies on a diet! >.<
im not quite sure how you get a bunny moving, i know my guys run around and around in circles whenever i am sweeping my carpet, so if there is anything like that im sure that would burn calories?
I think veg is fine as long as it isnt the really fatty stuff, keep us posted! maybe you can take before and after shots? hehe

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