Lillabelle too skinny?

[twistedtiggerz69]

Since we reduced Mischief's and Lillabelle's weight they have done really well. However I feel Lillabelle is still losing weight. She has no tummy really. It is just fur. And her shoulders seem a little bony and she looks thin to me. As I am used to big boned French lops I am used to big boned rabbits. Lillabelle is much slighter and small boned. She just seems a little thin though. When she moves her shoulders and haunches seem to show too much.

Currently she is fed an egg cupfull and a bit of Science Selective.

She has 2 handfuls of fresh greens twice a day. That is usually a mix of greens, curly kale, cavolo nero, spinach (only once in a day at most), cauliflower and stalk, brocolli and stalk, cabbage, carrot peelings (once a week), basil, coriander.

2 handfuls of dried leaves once a day. (dandelion leaves, plantain and others. )

Plus 2 types of good quality meadow and timothy hay.

Is there anyrhing she could have like a feed or something extra to keep her weight on please? She eats everything until she is full and goes back to eat the rest later. And is always begging for treats and nuggets. She zooms around a lot and is a nervy bunny so hence why I think she loses weight easily. We can't really change the hay as Chief eats it too. She has clear eyes and a lovely shine on her coat. She appears very healthy. Thanks.

 

[Shimmer]

Are you actually weighing her eg weekly? You can keep a better track that way.

 

[InspectorMorse]

I agree

Are you actually weighing her eg weekly? You can keep a better track that way.

I agree, she might not be underweight at all. It’s far healthier for a Rabbit to be slim than to carry extra fat. A set of digital baby weighing scales are useful to have. Checking the weight of a Rabbit once a week is part of routine health monitoring.

There is also this

Is my rabbit too fat or too thin? Monitoring Your Rabbit's Weight

 

[twistedtiggerz69]

Are you actually weighing her eg weekly? You can keep a better track that way.

No we don't I'm afraid. We can't pick Lillabelle up really. She is like a wild cat buzzing her head off and we can't get her on the scales. We tried treats and she just nicks it and runs off.

My OH thinks she is just right. I am starting to think he is right. She eats well so it must be going somewhere.

 

[twistedtiggerz69]

I agree

I agree, she might not be underweight at all. It’s far healthier for a Rabbit to be slim than to carry extra fat. A set of digital baby weighing scales are useful to have. Checking the weight of a Rabbit once a week is part of routine health monitoring.

There is also this

Is my rabbit too fat or too thin? Monitoring Your Rabbit's Weight

Yes we have those scales. We bought them ages ago when you suggested them before Jane.

I think you are right that she is a healthy weight. I got confused when the vet says Chief is a healthy weight. Tbh I think he still has a bit too much tummy. He is a stockier rabbit though.

After reading the link you sent I think you are right. Lillabelle looks just right but Chief has a big tummy hanging underneath. So he needs to lose a bit more. Not too much though. We can feel his spine and ribs with a little pressure. Thanks Jane x

Maybe we could use a carrier to weigh Lillabelle but she will soon get wise to that aswell I feel...

 

[Shimmer]

An adult rabbit ought to have a stable weight. Unplanned weight loss over a couple of weeks should mean a vet check up. Un-needed weight gain shoud also be addressed. So it's very useful to weigh weekly and get used to what is normal for them - write it down every week, then monitor it.

 

[twistedtiggerz69]

An adult rabbit ought to have a stable weight. Unplanned weight loss over a couple of weeks should mean a vet check up. Un-needed weight gain shoud also be addressed. So it's very useful to weigh weekly and get used to what is normal for them - write it down every week, then monitor it.

We will try and weigh Lillabelle in the carrier weekly if we can catch her. Thanks for your help. Yes we need to make sure our buns are an even weight weekly x

 

[twistedtiggerz69]

Since she's a bit on the thin side, maybe adding a bit of oats or barley to her diet could help boost her weight. Just a small amount mixed into her regular food might make a difference. Also if meds needed try to buy them in high qualified pharmacy. A close friend of mine run the pharamcy with a Canadian Pharmacy B2B partner and I know all the med from there are good so give it a try!

I will bear that in mind but think she is ok for now as still has no spine protuding and ribs feel covered and her belly feels slightly full. I think I was worrying more than anything.

I get meds from a local vet (or a pharmacy for things like eyedrops)