Weight management

Just like humans, weight management for rabbits is important to promote health, vigor, and an extended life span.

Body condition scoring


Here are links with information on how to score the body condition of your rabbit.
 * Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, Why do I need to body condition score my rabbit?

Overweight rabbits
Obesity is an extremely common and often debilitating problem in pet rabbits. It can pose an increase risk for other diseases such as cardiovascular, orthopedic, and liver disease as well as dermatitis and flystrike.

Causes

 * Inadequate exercise &mdash; Many rabbits are kept in small cages for long periods of time with limited access to exercise areas. Most cages sold are often inadequate in size as well.
 * Dietary factors &mdash; Most commercial pelleted diets are very nutrient dense. Free-choice or overfeeding of pellets is one of the primary causes of obesity in rabbits. Owners may also overfeed treats.
 * Animal factors &mdash; Some rabbits refuse to eat hay or other foods in coarse, indigestible fiber. Increasing age may also contribute.

Caged, inactive, middle-aged rabbits of either gender are at increased risk. Dwarf and lop breeds may also be predisposed to obesity.

Symptoms

 * Excess amounts of body fat for body size.
 * Ribs are not palpable and have an overlying layer of fat. Rolls of fat extend over rear limbs or hindquarters.
 * Lethargy, weakness.
 * Feces or cecotrophs pasted to bottom region due to inability to groom or consume cecotrophs.
 * Flaky dermatitis in shoulder area due to inability to groom.
 * Moist dermatitis of dewlap in female rabbits.

Treatment

 * Keep the rabbit's bottom clean, dry, and free of fecal matter.
 * Remove matted hair through clipping or trimming.
 * Treat dermatitis.
 * Provide soft, clean flooring to help prevent sore hocks.
 * Increase activity by providing access to exercise areas.
 * Reduce volume of pelleted foods. A maximum of 1/4 cup pellets per 5 lbs body weight is recommended. Also consider switching to a high-fiber pellet such as Oxbow. Do not feed pellet mixes containing seeds and/or dried fruit.
 * Offer a large selection of fresh, moistened greens.
 * Feed high-quality timothy or grass hay.
 * Limit fresh fruits and non-leafy vegetable treats to 2 to 3 tsp per 5 lbs of body weight daily.
 * Strictly prohibit simple sugars (yogurt drops, candies, cookies), high starch foods (bread products, grains, nuts, cereals, oats, peas), and legumes until rabbit is back to optimal weight.

Warning: Do not fast rabbits or make sudden, drastic reductions in available foods as this may predispose the rabbit to fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis) or GI stasis.

Additional resources
The following links contain more information about caring for overweight rabbits.
 * Dr. Jackie Schulman, DVM, Obese Rabbits At Risk
 * Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, Is your rabbit too fat?
 * House Rabbit Network, Astrid M. Kruse, DVM, Weight Watching for Rabbits
 * Flickr, Bunny Lovers Unite, Jojo's Guide to Weight / weight loss and how to diet
 * Christine Carter, The Fat Rabbit
 * House Rabbit Society, Sandi Ackerman, The Perils of Bunny Obesity

Underweight rabbits
A couple ways to help rabbits gain weight are the following:
 * Increase portion of daily pellets or free-feed if necessary.
 * Supplement a higher protein pellet. e.g. at least 16% protein or alfalfa pellets.
 * Feed some alfalfa or other legume hay in addition to regular grass hay.
 * Feed a little bit of grain and seeds every couple of days. These foods are high in carbs and fats. See Treats for more details.
 * Add some Calf Manna as a supplement to your rabbit's food.
 * Talk to your vet whether a motility drug such as Reglan would be appropriate to increase a rabbit's appetite.

Below are sites with more information about caring for underweight rabbits.
 * Colorado House Rabbit Society, Nancy J. LaRoche, Putting Weight on Skinny Bunnies