Rabbit too skiny?

[Blue Moon]

I have two rabbits and the are both chubby but I can feel their back bone very easily they are on feed that is 14.00% crude protein so I don’t think that is the problem and I have looked at their poop to see if there are parasite or worm eggs and there aren’t. please help me.

[Wick & Fable]

It’s best to have a vet make a confirmed call, because even with pictures, getting a gauge is some times difficult. I actually had the unfortunate experience of being told Wick was too skinny (caught me off-guard), and he’s now receiving critical care syringes, in addition to his regular feeding so he gains weight. Now that he’s being fed much more, I realized that it was oddly easy to feel his spine in the past, and I could never really feel his stomach bulge; now I realize I should have been able to feel the stomach on the sides a bit easier. Here are two diagrams that may help:

1) http://www.therabbithouse.com/diet/images/rabbitweightbodyscore.png
2) http://charlotte-harris.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Body-Condition-Score-Rabbit.jpg

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[ownedbybunnies315]

The only real way to know for sure is based on weight. Rabbits can be super hard to figure out based on feel, because they feel different when they are loafed up, versus standing, versus flopped out. Have a vet determine the ideal weight for your bun, and then keep track of the weight. Feeling the spine is ok, as long as it doesn’t feel sharp. If your bun has longer, or fluffier fur, then you may need to include some extra protein in the diet if the vet does determine that your bun is underweight. Sometimes their bodies don’t know where to put the protein – growing the fur, or keeping on body mass. Giving a little extra can help, if needed. But knowing their ideal weight will eliminate trying to play a guessing game based on how their body feels to the touch.

[Blue Moon]

the problem is they are fat at their belly but their spines are pretty prominent and only one is long haired and I have started feeding them separately but it hasen’t made a difference.

[Blue Moon]

thank you for the contribution

[Jessica]

It’s harder with long haired breeds. My angora eats double the amount of pellets of rabbits that are similarly sized but short hair. My vet was concerned because she’s on the thin side of normal but all of her tests were clean

Newer studies have shown that angoras body will use the proteins for hair growth over anything else

[Blue Moon]

ok thank you I will try to add extra protein to poppy’s diet

[vanessa]

Does Poppy still look like she does in your March pic? If so – I think she looks healthy. However – Lancelot doesn’t look skinny either – but when I feel his skeleton, I don’t feel fat, and I only feel a little muscle. Not a lot. Is the chubby stomach you see fat or loose skin? It is sometimes hard to see by the skin and fur – how thin a rabbit really is. The pages that Wick posted will help you get a better idea.

[Blue Moon]

thank you vanessa poppy and cedric defiantly have fat

[Blue Moon]

poppy looks the same as in the march picture but that isn’t a good angle to tell I cant tell unless I feel her and now I can feel her hips too. poppy is going to be looked at to see if she can be spayed soon so I will ask the vet about her skinniness and the sore hocks. should I take cedric too?

[Azerane]

If they’re bonded and you’re taking one to the vet, I would take both

As mentioned, you should be able to feel their spine but it shouldn’t feel sharp, it should still feel like there’s a healthy layer in between. Getting them checked out by a vet to make sure though isn’t a bad idea. It’s also good if you can weigh them at home every week to help keep track. Since you won’t always notice weight loss or gain through a visual or physical check it’s good to weigh them weekly to make sure their weight is staying consistent.

[Blue Moon]

thank you azerane the buns are bonded so I will take them both. do you know if the vet will charge for each rabbit or just the amount of time you take up.

[sarahthegemini]

My vet charges a consultation fee per animal as each one takes up an individual appointment slot.

[Azerane]

If you’re only getting the one checked out, they will only charge for the one. I have taken both to the vet but only as an appointment for one of them. Most rabbit-savvy vets should know that it’s recommended to bring a rabbit’s bonded partner with to an appointment.

[sarahthegemini]

Ah yes, sorry had a brain fart, if you’re only getting one looked at, you’ll only be charged for one even if you bring his companion

[Blue Moon]

ok thank you

[Blue Moon]

would I be charged for both of the rabbits if the vet will look at cedric

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By Blue Moon on 3/18/2017 5:14 PM

would I be charged for both of the rabbits if the vet will look at cedric

Yes..

[Blue Moon]

dang. thank you

[Blue Moon]

I am such an idiot! I think I found the possible cause of poppy’s skinniness. I was using the wrong bag of food and feeding her adult rabbit food instead of young rabbit food I mixed up the bag because cedric has adult rabbit food. he is actually about a year and 4 months old so I have been feeding him adult rabbit food for a while. I figured out that I was giving both of the rabbits adult food instead of both of them young rabbit food. I was used to using 1 bag  so I guess I used one bag but the wrong one bag. thank you for the advice everyone.

[Blue Moon]

I am just going to throw an idea around could poppy be skinny because she doesn’t produce cecotropes to eat?

[Azerane]

If she wasn’t producing any cecotropes I imagine she could be quite sick. How do you know that she’s not producing any? In a regular healthy rabbit you won’t see cecal poops, bunny will just eat them straight from their bottom

[roy]

Posted By ownedbybunnies315 on 3/15/2017 11:01 AM

The only real way to know for sure is based on weight. Rabbits can be super hard to figure out based on feel, because they feel different when they are loafed up, versus standing, versus flopped out. Have a vet determine the ideal weight for your bun, and then keep track of the weight. Feeling the spine is ok, as long as it doesn’t feel sharp. If your bun has longer, or fluffier fur, then you may need to include some extra protein in the diet if the vet does determine that your bun is underweight. Sometimes their bodies don’t know where to put the protein – growing the fur, or keeping on body mass. Giving a little extra can help, if needed. But knowing their ideal weight will eliminate trying to play a guessing game based on how their body feels to the touch.

Thanks for the useful links.

[vanessa]

You will probably not notice her eating her cecotropes either. I have seen Guin eat her cecotropes maybe twice – ever. But I know she eats them, coz I don’t find them lying around.

[Blue Moon]

ok thank you

[Author]

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