Over weight Bunny

[NickiM]

My rabbit is definetly gaining weight and has a double chin!!(dewlap but he is a boy for sure) and I only give him two cups of veggies a day unlimited hay and only a couple of pellets for treats at night when I put him in! I dont undersetand I even decrease his food and he still seems to be getting bigger  When ever he is out of his cage he just lays there and enjoys relaxing and I CAN NOT get him to play. Help am I doing something wrong?? Also if it makes a difference he is 2 years old and neutered. Thank you

[LizzieKnittyBun]

First of all, don’t worry! This happens often and is easily fixed.

A dewlap doesn’t necessarily mean a weight problem, although it is more common among females.

Has an exotic animal vet examined him and checked his weight? That’s the best way to figure out whether or not there’s a problem.

He sounds like a chill little guy. Maybe when you give him his treats at night make him jump up and down the couch to get to them. Exercise!

: )

[RabbitPam]

His basic size will definitely depend on his breed. Some bunnies get quite large, and the large ones tend to be more laid back in personality as well.
If he’s eating well and you’re concerned by his weight gain from a healthy diet, I would get him a check up with the vet to see if he is on track with his age and breed or if she detects some kind of issue.

As for exercise, some people scatter the food around the cage to make the bunny forage around for it, getting them to move a bit in order to eat. You also can try toys like a diggy box or tunnel where you have a good treat (like a carrot piece) hidden there, or at the opposite end of the tunnel, to make him run to get it.

[RabbitPam]

P.S. Make sure you’re letting him out during the times of day when bunnies tend to be active. Dawn & Dusk. If you let him out as soon as you get up in the morning, and don’t feed him immediately, he will probably run around if only to beg for breakfast. You can feed him his supper and then let him out, or wait to feed him until later, but I found when I worked until 5PM that right after I got home and early evening was a perfect time to let my bunny out for the second time that day to play. Less active than in the AM, but still getting exercise.

[bunnies!]

 Actually my rabbit has a double chin too.She always seems pretty happy so I don’t mind,but she does love eating.

[LoveChaCha]

My chacha bun has a mini dewlap and she’s free range all day… she’s lazy lol

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