Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum DIET & CARE overweight rabbit?

Viewing 9 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • Penelope
      Participant
      12 posts Send Private Message

        Hello all!

        Ms. Penelope is no longer a little bun anymore but a rambunctious teenager. I got her spayed about a month ago and she recovered wonderfully (thank god, I was a wreck). What I’ve noticed now is her weight gain. I’ve heard they need less pellets after spay to make sure they don’t become overweight but I’ve limited them to an egg size amount a day. She doesn’t seem as keen about her hay anymore and mostly looks forward to her fresh greens and herbs. I noticed her backside has a huge roll of skin and fat where is didn’t used to. She is a holland lop and at only 6 months she’s 4lbs 13oz. Does that seem normal? Is it just a side effect of the spay or her age? I feed her only fresh greens and herbs with unlimited timothy hay and a small amount of pellets. I also give her the occasional blackberry or blueberry. HELP PLEASE!




      • Sarita
        Participant
        18851 posts Send Private Message

          Well she doesn’t look overweight to me and spaying doesn’t cause weight gain either.

          I do think that you can reduce the pellets however to a tablespoon rather than an egg size which I’m not really sure what that measurement is.


        • Penelope
          Participant
          12 posts Send Private Message

            It doesn’t show much but she has a lot of chubbiness near her bottom. I was mostly concerned that at 6 months a holland lop is nearly 5 pounds. They recommended an “egg size” which I’m assuming means the size of an egg so I’d think more around 2tbsp. I’ve been giving her far too many pellets then it seems, thank you!


          • Sarita
            Participant
            18851 posts Send Private Message

              Rabbits definitely are bottom heavy just because they are built this way with those strong back legs. It is also likely your Holland Lop is a mix too.


            • BlueMoods
              Participant
              169 posts Send Private Message

                She doesn’t look terribly overweight to me. I would estimate that you are giving her about 1/4 cup of pellets, cut that in half, give 1/8 cup. Try different kinds of hay. Some rabbits like orchard, mixed grass, or even Bermuda grass better than Timothy. Some like greener hay and hay should be the bulk of their diet. (Nursing and young, just weaned kits excepted.)


              • Beka27
                Participant
                16016 posts Send Private Message

                  I think she looks beautiful!

                  Yeah, almost 5 pounds is heavy for a purebred Holland lop. I think they usually top out at about 4 pounds. So she may either be a lop mix (I think hollands are often crossbred with mini lops that can get to be 5-8 pounds) or she’s just a big girl?

                  I don’t think she looks overweight, but again, could be the angle. Lops are more of a “boxy” breed anyways.

                  Cutting down on pellets to increase hay and veggie consumption is a good idea.

                  At 6 months, their “frame” is pretty much full-grown, but they may continue to “fill out” between 6 months and a year. It’s just coincidental that this lines up with when females are typically spayed. The spay does not cause weight gain (or if it does, it’s negligible… Maybe a couple ounces?), the rabbit would have filled out regardless at that age.


                • Penelope
                  Participant
                  12 posts Send Private Message

                    thank you all for your wonderful answers, I will try all your suggestions and make sure she’s getting proper exercise. Thanks again!!


                  • LittlePuffyTail
                    Moderator
                    18092 posts Send Private Message

                      I agree with Beka. She looks beautiful to me too. Hard to tell by a pic, but she doesn’t look overweight to me. A little extra pudge is better than a skinny bunny, IMO. You don’t want an obese bunny but she definitely doesn’t have that issue.


                    • kcomstoc
                      Participant
                      625 posts Send Private Message

                        my bunny Caleb is a purebred holland lop (as far as i know) and he’s about 3ish pounds he gets 1/8 cup 2x a day unlimited hay and a daily salad, i haven’t noticed any weight gain. I think you’re bunny is a mix and doesn’t look overweight to me either


                      • BunnyLady1989
                        Participant
                        446 posts Send Private Message

                          Yeah, Lulu is a Holland lop as well and stays right around four and a half. Maybe Males and females can vary in weight? I don’t know. Lu gets unlimited hay, two salads, and occasionally 1/8 (approx.) cup of pellets per day. Your girl looks lovely though! I think she is growing just fine

                      Viewing 9 reply threads
                      • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                      Forum DIET & CARE overweight rabbit?