harplady
Registered: 04/18/07
Posts: 99
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Reply with quote | #1 |
What is the best way to tell if my rabbits are underweight or overweight? |
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Charlcie
Moderator
Registered: 04/15/07
Posts: 120
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Reply with quote | #2 |
Rabbits that are overweight for their frame size, will tend to have fat accumulations over and about the shoulders. The belly will tend to be "potty" and the back will also have a flattened appearance.
If you know your rabbit's breed, you can look up the standard for that breed and find out the maximum weight for that breed. A scale will tell you how much under or over weight your rabbit is. Keep in mind that some rabbits may have a large frame even for their breed. A Mini Rex, for example could be large-framed and even though it is a poor show specimen, would be thin and in poor condition if it weighed at or just under the breed maximum of 4.5 lbs. You need to take into consideration the overall framework of your rabbit.
Common sense should be your guide here. It really is pretty visually evident if a rabbit is overweight or not.
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Charlcie
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com |
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harplady
Registered: 04/18/07
Posts: 99
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Reply with quote | #3 |
Thanks. I bought a baby scale, so I will be able to tell more easily when they are gaining. The two satin mix rabbits are larger than my rex and my silver mix, but the satins weigh only 6 pounds each, and my other two weigh 6 1/2 pounds each. I also give my satins more pellets, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. My older rabbits are more solid. Is being more solid part of getting older? They are about 5 years old now, and my satins are about 1 year. |
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Charlcie
Moderator
Registered: 04/15/07
Posts: 120
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Reply with quote | #4 |
If your Satins are a year old, they will not get any bigger than they are. If they don't appear emaciated, then I'm guessing the are a Satin cross and not pure Satins. The ideal weight for Satins is 9.5 lbs for bucks and 10 lbs for does. Again, we need to look at frame-size. I wouldn't recommend feeding extra pellets to them. It will make them fat. 4 - 5 oz of pellets/day should be plenty.
If anything, rabbits (like people) tend to get "softer" with age - not more solid. Now...a severely overweight rabbit might feel solid as some types of fat are indeed firm to the touch, but I'm guessing that all your rabbits are in the average weight range for their breed or breed-types.
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Charlcie
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com |
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harplady
Registered: 04/18/07
Posts: 99
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Reply with quote | #5 |
I just went to a new vet. She grew up on a farm and so she knows all about outdoor animals. All four rabbits were a little over 6 lbs and the vet said that they are all perfect weight and in perfect health. She checked their weight in the way you described. I feel so much better about how I have been taking care of my rabbits. |
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Charlcie
Moderator
Registered: 04/15/07
Posts: 120
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Reply with quote | #6 |
I'm glad you were able to confirm with your vet that your bunnies are in good condition. I'm sure that was a relief.
Charlcie
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Charlcie
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com |
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