As a result, rabbits don’t have a strong body odor and should never be bathed.Generally a rabbit will only smell if their cage is not being cleaned regularly or if the rabbit is having health problems. A proper diet plus other important factors to consider are very important. “Liver (Hepatic) Disease in Rabbits.”. Iceberg lettuce has almost no nutritional value so should be avoided. Supplement a higher protein pellet. This is a recipe for weight gain and eventual health complications. Lesieur-Brooks,J. In some cases, an aging or ill rabbit might need special dietary plans. Accessed at: https://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/171/8/197.2.short. Type 1 diabetes is commonly diagnosed in children. Possible Causes of Underweight Dogs. Surgery is exponentially more difficult to perform on an overweight rabbit. Fresh Foods. A good-quality rabbit diet must be available at the local store. It happens due to diseases, including gastrointestinal, dental, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, metabolic, and cancer. Beans, cauliflower, cabbage, and potatoes may cause problems and should be avoided. If you don’t have enough time to spend with your rabbit, you should consider finding them a partner rabbit to bond with. Normally rabbits would easily be able to keep themselves clean, but obese rabbits will often have trouble reaching around their fat to clean up the poop that is stuck to their fur. They won’t be able to reach over all the folds of fat, and might start to get feces stuck to their butt, or urine scald on the skin around their bottom and hind legs. Not only do they have painful joints, but they also have a decreasing muscle mass, which makes it more and more difficult for them to move around. Some of these arise from physical limitations of overweight animals such as joint issues, reduced activity, and difficulty grooming. There may be some extra folds of fat and the bottom will start to become rounded on the sides. My old bun, Tenshi, became a very obese bunny by the time she was middle aged. You can also help you rabbit get more exercise by getting puzzle toys that encourage them to forage for their food. Without intervention, gastrointestinal hypomotility can result in GI stasis. The excess fat can also put pressure on the rabbits essential organs while the rabbit is laying on their back on the surgery table. It is especially a danger for obese rabbits, who often have an imbalance of bacteria in their gut, and have extra fat putting pressure on their sensitive digestive tract. These can include increased metabolism. Alfalfa hay is not recommended for most adult house rabbits, as it is too high in calcium content and calories, but can be offered free choice to young, pregnant or underweight rabbits. If you need help, don’t hesitate to consult a veterinarian. A rabbit that you can feel but not easily see the ribs on is typically a three. rabbit’s teeth in good health and promote optimal digestive function. As anorexia is often caused by pain you may notice your rabbit showing other signs such as hunching, refusing to move or increased respiration. However, the rabbits must be stimulated to consume grass hay, too. Rabbits can’t fast, especially when they are injured or ill. A sudden stop to eat or reduced amounts of fecal pellets will mean there’s something wrong. Good foods for underweight rabbits? It prevents a number or dangerous health conditions that could develop later in life, and it can solve a number of... Why Do Rabbits Breathe Fast and When is it Dangerous? A very thin fat layer. Alfalfa is also a good way to increase protein levels whilst still providing plenty of fibre. If your rabbit is severely obese, you can probably tell just by looking. It is common for people to feed their rabbit’s too many treats (because they are just so cute when they beg), or give them a diet high in pellets and low in the essential, fiber-dense hay. Hence, grass hay should be provided in multiple sections so that all rabbits have easy access to food. So take a tally of the living area of your rabbit, and make sure your giving them a chance to be happy and active. UNDERWEIGHT RABBITS. This is an extremely serious illness, and if not treated as soon as possible may result in liver failure and death. Before making any changes to your rabbit’s diet, you should consult your rabbit savvy vet for advice. The idea is to put your rabbit on a healthy diet and help them lose 1 to 2 ounces of weight per week until they reach their goal weight (which will vary based on rabbit breed and size). The primary cause of obesity in rabbits, especially pet is poor diet and lack of exercise. This is good for their teeth and is high in fiber, making it an essential part of their digestive system. Ehrlich. › Forum › DIET & CARE › Proper diet for an underweight rabbit? If you cannot feel the ribs at all, or if it is very difficult, that is an indication that your rabbit is obese. Overweight rabbits may not show any interest in mating and can have a hard time becoming pregnant if mating does occur. The same for decreased calorie intake. My vet prescribed meloxicam .7ml once per day for 2 weeks for sore hocks. Heart disease is difficult to detect in rabbits until it reaches an advanced stage. You can also have climbing areas inside their enclosure and other fun toys to encourage more movement. Establish a “target” weight prior to breeding according to the specific breed standards of your rabbit for greatest success. Fat rabbits are often lethargic, and are susceptible to heart, liver, and kidney disease. The arthritis tends to be especially bad in joints that work to support the weight of the rabbit, such as in the feet and knees. 2. The most effective way of increasing your rabbits weight is by adjusting its diet. If diet changes are needed, then they must be done one at a time. Depending on how you buy your hay you may find that nutritional information is displayed on the packaging as it is for pellets. The heel of a rabbit’s foot is called a hock, and it is very much like a human’s elbow. You will notice the same on the rabbit’s thighs and spine (forming a triangle), Unusual activity levels (signaling the need for food or water), Pain (seen through your pet’s hunched look, incapability to stretch out, hesitating to move, grinding of teeth, and eyes are partially closed. link to Why Do Rabbits Breathe Fast and When is it Dangerous? Rhubarb should also be avoided (toxicity). Establish a “target” weight prior to breeding according to the specific breed standards of your rabbit for greatest success. As anorexia is often caused by pain you may notice your rabbit showing other signs such as hunching, refusing to move or increased respiration. It is usually caused when a rabbit suddenly becomes anorexic and stops eating (a common symptom of many rabbit illnesses). A rough and unclean surface can be a contributing factor, but the primary cause of this condition is the weight of the rabbit’s body on its hock and feet. Crisco,M.G. The resulting BMI number indicates where you are on a scale of underweight to obese. The stomach sags obesity in rabbits is an indication of a much more serious or. Body may start using lean muscle for energy in order to do effectively... Rabbit … causes that she rolls around to get an ex-pen enclosure for my rabbits and. Caged too often, along with excessive feeding habits tend to have a of! 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