Placing hay bins and litter boxes in several locations may also stimulate more activity. The first and most serious of these is a problem with their spine. They’re just smaller because they molt. It differs from constipation in that your rabbit isn’t actively trying to pass poop. If you’re concerned about your rabbit losing weight, there can be many different causes. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Pellets aren’t a vital part of a rabbit’s diet. Newborn baby rabbits will nurse for between four and eight weeks. The vet estimated her to be … The symptoms of cachexia in rabbits may include: In addition, a rabbit losing weight may be the result of dental disease, poor quality food, digestive issues, central nervous system disorders, muscular or nervous system diseases, or physical injuries. the first thing to do is to see if you notice any other changes in behavior or symptoms of illness. There are many different reasons your rabbit is losing weight. Make sure they contain no animal fat, and that the main ingredient is timothy hay. Bunny Flopping Meaning, A poor diet containing too many carbohydrates, and not enough indigestible fiber, The use of too many antibiotics, which changes their gut flora, Fewer droppings, as their digestive system slows down. Examine your rabbit's diet to determine what might be causing the dangerous weight gain and adjust accordingly. But if that doesn’t work, there’s a foolproof way to weigh them. The first is with intermittent soft cecotropes (ISC). The treatment for weight loss in cats depends on the cause. They may get ulcers or other sores in their mouth, which cause pain when they eat. (Binkying Explained), Why Does My Rabbit Flop Over? Put the rabbit inside the carrier and weigh them. Take their carrier and place it on the scales. Required fields are marked *. Nevertheless, the veterinarian will most likely treat any symptoms shown by the rabbit, including pain relief for cancers or electrolyte replacement for animals experiencing dehydration and fluid loss. She is very … Press J to jump to the feed. Weight Changes. And if your pet dog is a puppy then you can try slowly giving them some proper training to remove the fear. Rabbits will often have greater ease of movement if a rug … Or it could be something much worse, like a kidney problem, or uterine cancer. Has your rabbit lost or gained a hutch mate? There are two different types of rabbit poop. Flystrike . Hutchandcage is supported by its readers. If your rabbits have gained weight, it’s likely that they are eating too much or moving around too little. This topic has 7sd replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 5 months ago by flemishwhite. Viewing 7 reply threads. Some other common causes may include: 1. A maximum of ¼ cup of pellets per 5 lbs. Try and weigh her every week or twice a week and note down the weight. Weight Loss in Older Rabbits. Close. You can also look for extruded nuggets that are intended to feed senior rabbits. Rabbit kitten milk replacement gives them all the food they need. How many rabbits survive out of a litter depends on their continued access to food. While it is all well and good to enjoy funny rabbit pictures to make you smile, you should do all you can to ensure that your rabbit stays safe. I'll be very frank with you. This type of rabbit nugget has been made especially for the dietary needs of senior rabbits. The fewer calories they eat, the more weight they will lose. It usually occurs in the summer, when grooming and molting cause the rabbit to ingest fur. Your rabbit may also experience diarrhea due to a virus, environmental stress, or a diet that is too high in carbohydrates or lacking in fiber. Click here! A veterinarian can examine your rabbit to see if this is a cause of weight loss. Aside from that, there’s little else you can do. They may also show signs that they’re in pain—starving hurts after all. They look like berries, i.e., many poops stuck together. However, if your rabbit doesn’t want to eat their hay, consider the following strategies: If your rabbit still refuses to eat, consider helping them by manually feeding them. There are no good reasons for a rabbit to lose weight. But other causes include: Whatever the cause of soft feces, you should make changes in your rabbit’s diet immediately. If your rabbit is eating less, preferring different types of foods or showing swelling around their mouth or jaw, they should be seen by a veterinarian. Parasitic infestation, congestive heart failure, and environment are just a few of the causes for this condition. Once they’re weaned, they can start on the same diet as your adult rabbits are on. However, if they’re malnourished, they can become too skinny. Your rabbit should maintain the same weight throughout its adult lifespan. If your scales can’t adjust either manually or automatically to account for a weight—like you have to if you measure something in a cup or a bowl—that’s fine. Losing balance and falling over isn’t necessarily a bad sign, though. The goal for weight loss in rabbits is a slow steady decrease not a sudden drop. Polydipsia is a sign of kidney failure, and appears in conjunction with the following symptoms: While you can make adjustments to your rabbit’s diet on your own, provided you follow proper advice, you can’t cure them of kidney disease. If you’re thinking why is my rabbit losing weight? Rabbit losing weight ??? A sudden fright like thunder and lightning can cause them to jump and hurt themselves. If the ribs feel like the knuckles of your hand, then they are underweight. Molting can cause your rabbit to ingest hair. They should be given at least one tablespoon of pellets per kilogram of body weight per day. But still, you have to be very careful and attentive towards them. There are two different ways that bunnies can experience diarrhea. The cause may be gastrointestinal issues, teeth problems, parasites, fever, head tilt, cancer or organ failure. In rare cases, your rabbit can have parasites that can cause digestive upsets. If they’re slow starters, encourage them by offering them a variety of food. What causes gut stasis? Treatment for Weight Loss in Cats . Offer them pellets to kickstart their growth. He shook it a few times and fell heavily to the ground. Rabbits typically either gain or lose weight in their old age. If she continues losing weight, make a vet appt. It can become misshapen, harder and therefore more difficult to pass. It could be something simple, like her daughters eating all of the food before she can get to it. Rabbits of the same breed can vary greatly in weight. But what it does do is make them appear a lot smaller. They are dry and crumbly. Fill it with mixed vegetable baby food, and feed your rabbit manually. It's a good idea to weigh your rabbit weekly to monitor their progress. According to the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, it can be caused by viruses like the rotavirus. Or, it’s possible they are experiencing improper tooth wear or have overgrown incisors or molars. Rabbit teeth continually grow throughout life. Rabbit Losing Weight Treatment. The loss of voluntary control of urination in rabbits is also known as urinary incontinence. Senior rabbits may need more than this if they are experiencing weight loss. Rabbit losing weight and digestive issues. Your rabbit may also experience true diarrhea. Rabbits typically either gain or lose weight in their old age. They may also go through periods of extended and unusual activity, which indicates they’re searching for food and water. These digestive issues may slow down or stop their digestion altogether. Being overweight is very bad for a rabbit's health; it puts extra pressure on the joints and organs and makes grooming difficult. 7. When the winter’s over, they get rid of this extra fur to deal with the hotter temperatures. The larger rabbit might be hogging the food. They’re also slightly softer because they are produced during a different stage of digestion. These are cheap to buy and easy to use. So can cancer. Dental diseases which can make eating difficult 2. Ceceotrope pellets are smaller and oblong. They are both eating, drinking, pooing as normal and I was wondering ir rabbits do tend to lose weight as they get older. If your rabbit’s ribcage sticks out too much, they are probably under their recommended weight. The cause is typically an incorrect diet. Flystrike in rabbits is a devastating condition, which is particularly common during warm weather. They will sit hunched, and will be reluctant to move. ‘Eat less, move more’ – this simple formula really does work. User account menu. Lettuce have very few calories. I have a couple of rabbits who are getting older, Monica is 7, nearly eight and Brenda has just turned 7, both have lost some body weight. Any indication that a rabbit is not showing interest in food is a bad sign. Pick food that only contains ingredients safe for rabbits. Metabolic disorders such as organ failure or disorders associated with cancer can also bring this type of weight loss. Author. But with the right treatment or adjustment to their diet, your rabbit will regain the weight it has lost. Next, lab tests and/or x-rays may be needed to determine the problem. Consult a Vet If Your Rabbit Is Eating But Not Drinking Water There are many different causes for weight loss and cachexia in rabbits. Symptoms of Loss of Weight and Muscle in Rabbits In cases of weight loss, the first symptom is usually a noticeably lighter pet. You can monitor how well they’re gaining their weight back. If that doesn’t work, consult a vet for expert advice. That’s why lots of people think their rabbits lose weight in the summer. How to Care For an Elderly Rabbit (with Pictures) - wikiHow Diabetes can cause weight loss even when a rabbit is eating plenty. But it is worrying when somebody (not just a bun) is loosing weight for “no reason”. Because their balance is impaired, they find it harder to eat. Posted by. Including one or two drops of coconut or olive oil in their food can help if their poop is too dry. they don’t move around much. Good luck, I hope she's ok. 0 0. devilishblueyes . That’s why your rabbit eats its poop. Many underlying conditions can contribute to weight loss, as Dr. Kernisan points out. Feed your rabbit more grass hay because greens and vegetables are low in calories. They start to move around less, either because they are becoming blind, or they aren’t as strong as they were. Throughout their life, whether they’re overweight or underweight, a rabbit should be on an 80-85% diet of hay. One of the simplest ways to know if your rabbit is too skinny is to look at their ribs. Weight Loss Diet for Overweight Rabbits. This is an unavoidable part of the aging process, so don’t be alarmed when it happens. Weight loss in older cats is often readily attributed to chronic renal disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and dental problems. Obesity is rarely caused by a medical condition, but it’s sensible to have your rabbit checked by your vet if you notice changes. Friday 2020-06-19 3:46:02 am : Elderly Rabbit Losing Weight | Elderly Rabbit Losing Weight | | How-To-Eat-To-Lose-Weight For this reason, rabbits must be fed a diet low in digestible fiber and high in indigestible fiber to achieve weight loss. The rest of their diet should be a mix of leafy greens and fruit. That means identifying what’s causing their weight loss and taking steps to correct it. Rabbits are social creatures and like company. If they were malnourished when young, they may never reach their potential weight goal. Let me weight loss in rabbits tell you, their tribal structure is extremely complicated first of all, there are sevenfold marriage relationships, Weight Loss In Rabbits and then the factor of interracial marriage . If she’s losing weight with no other symptom, you could give her a little bit more pellets. They should not eat alfalfa hay if they are over a year old. If you’re wondering about a rabbit losing weight as they age, this may be a normal part of the aging process. They eat their poop so that they can get these missed nutrients the second time they eat them. Health. If she lives in a cool part of the house, she’ll need to use more calories to maintain her body temperature. Conclusion : Why is my rabbit losing weight? Your rabbit isn’t eating enough food or, more likely, is eating the wrong foods for its dietary requirements. If you already feed them some pellets, consider feeding them more per day. Adjust the scales to account for the weight of the carrier. Here are a few reasons your rabbit is losing weight or is underweight: If you’re concerned about your rabbit losing weight and they are also losing muscle mass, this condition is called cachexia and you should speak to your rabbit’s doctor immediately. And double-check their diet to see they’re eating enough hay and drinking enough water. Medical. Intermittent soft cecotropes are softer than average, and maybe semi-liquid. Weight loss in rabbits is always a bad sign. Smith tried to cover his chest with both hands. Has your rabbit’s lifestyle changed recently? Alfalfa or timothy pellets or a combination of the two can be used. An underweight rabbit should eat more food to make up for their weight loss. This will encourage their guts to start digesting. Is your elderbun losing a little weight? Stasis in rabbits is where the digestive system slows down or stops altogether. Decreased activity, increased resting Health problems in the geriatric rabbit As improved husbandry and nutrition have extended the lifespan of pet rabbits, aging can be associated with specific health problems. Rabbits need to redigest these cecotrope pellets as part of their digestive process. 5. All content is therefore for informational purposes only. Or, they can lose weight. A rabbit losing weight can be a sign that they have cancer, parasites, kidney disease, an infection or more health issues. Archived. Lack of water or exercise, mobility issues, and incorrect diet all can. If they’re suddenly losing weight, it’s due to a problem with their care or health. This won’t significantly reduce their weight, and even if it does make them lose weight a little, that’s not a bad thing. If your rabbit is underweight, consider adding pellets into their diet. Even if your rabbit is eating but you notice that they are losing weight, call their vet immediately. To make the correct diagnosis, you should have your doctor examine your rabbit. When a rabbit drinks more than usual, this is referred to as polydipsia. Can Rabbits Drink from a Bowl ( Bowl or Bottle? But, if they are paired with a more dominant rabbit, they may be being bullied. If your rabbit has lost 10 percent or more of their regular bodyweight, this can be a reason to speak to your veterinarian. Rabbits suffer from intensive fear from these animals. Try adding more plain rabbit pellets to her daily diet. of body weight is … Participant. If your rabbit has ear mites you may see itching around the ear, head and neck, head shaking and a thick beige fluid in the ear canal. Rabbits are meant to be slim. Try feeding them rabbit-appropriate treats like different fruits and vegetables to encourage them to eat. 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