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How to tell if fat?

William

William

Wise Old Thumper
Besides going to the vet or weighing them (since that's obvisious), how can you tell whether your rabbits are overweight or not? I know mine aren't (I just got them fattened up) but I was wondering for the future. Like, are you supposed to be able to feel their spine and hip bones, etc?

And if they are fat, what do you do? Limit the pellets? Or limit all food intake (except hay?)?
 
It's very hard to explain in words, if a vet has declared your rabbits a healthy weight have a good feel and see what you can feel now so you can compare in future. You need to feel as the fur can be very deceptive.

You can usually feel the outline of bones like the spin and hips but they should be covered in a layer of muscle not feel pointy and there shouldn't be dips between them (which would signal underweight). Likewise there shouldn't be rolls of fat you can pinch or they be chunky so it's hard to feel the outline of the skeleton at all.

Dieting is done by reducing the dry food and any high sugar fresh foods like fruit. As a healthy diet is very low in these already it usually does mean cutting them right down. Increasing exercise is also important in weight loss :)
 
Ted an Petal said:
hmmm very interesting cause i always worry incase my bunny's are underweight.
Click to expand...

Me too! Although im sure I feed mine too much! We are trying to make them more friendly so they get little pieces of carrot or other veg and it all adds up! Trying to cut down Gray's pellets as he goes crazy for them- I just know he wont eat much hay and dont like the thought of him being hungry!
 
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