​A chubby bunny face is admittedly adorable. But extra pounds can mean extra health problems – and extra vet bills. Not cute.

Dr. Alicia McLaughlin, veterinarian at the Center for Bird and Exotic Animal Medicine in Bothell, Washington recognizes that obesity is a big problem in pet rabbits. She explains how rabbits are prone to many more health problems than fit bunnies, including:

1) Increased anesthesia and surgery risk: According to Dr. McLaughlin, fat changes how anesthetic drugs are metabolized, and causes additional stress on the heart and lungs. “It also can make surgery more difficult, and increases the risk of suffering dangerous hemorrhage and other surgical complications like hematomas, seromas, and dehiscence (breakdown of sutures).”

2) Arthritis: Obesity puts abnormal strain on joints, McLaughlin says. “Having to carry all of that extra weight around can lead to degenerative joint disease, which can make overweight animals less willing to exercise, further exacerbating the problem.” If your rabbit is packing on the pounds, don’t wait for her New Year’s resolution to take steps to avoid permanent damage.

3) Pododermatitis: Extra pounds can change how rabbits distribute their weight when moving and sitting. Dr. McLaughlin sees rounder buns tend to lean back on their heels more than usual. “Unlike most other animals, rabbits have minimal padding to the bottoms of their feet. As a result, when they become overweight, rabbits will often develop sores on their heels called pododermatitis. These sores are very painful, and often result in serious infections. Severe cases can lead to life-threatening osteomyelitis, and may even necessitate amputation of the injured foot.” Ouch.

4) Fatty Liver Disease: “Overweight rabbits are more likely to develop a condition called hepatic lipidosis, or ‘Fatty Liver Disease,’” McLaughlin explains. “If they undergo even a short period of appetite loss, the body can start storing fat in the liver, leading to decreased liver function and potentially liver failure if not treated promptly.”

5) Heart disease/Hypertension: Round rabbits are more likely to have high blood pressure, just like us humans. This puts additional strain on the heart and vascular system. Rabbits that don’t lose weight are at risk of developing heart and kidney problems. Check out some of our safe weight loss tips here.

6) Perineal dermatitis: Dr. McLaughlin remarks that obese rabbits are often less willing to groom their rear ends or consume caecotrophs (AKA special poops) normally, due to a combination of arthritis and simply being unable to reach their behind. “They are also often less mobile and willing/able to move away from the ‘bathroom areas’ of their enclosure,” she explains. “This can lead to urine scald, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal disorders, and other problems.” Yikes!

7) Decreased lifespan: Perhaps the worst of all. According to Dr. McLaughlin, “although to my knowledge there has not yet been a published study evaluating lifespan of fit rabbits versus obese rabbits, it has been well documented in other species that obesity significantly reduces longevity due to the factors discussed above.” Definitely. Not. Cute.

Do you have a flabby bun? 

We have a few tips here on how to determine whether you have a chubby rabbit on your hands. But if you’re unsure, the best way to tell if your rabbit is the correct weight is to consult with an exotic veterinarian. Just like us, rabbits come in all shapes and sizes. A healthy weight for one rabbit can be a serious medical concern in another.

Dr. McLaughlin agrees: “Exotic animal veterinarians see a large number of rabbits of all different breeds and ages coming through their clinics, so they have an excellent perspective for the range of ‘normal’ that exists. And, if your rabbit is confirmed to be overweight, the veterinarian can assist in developing a weight loss strategy and checking for other health problems. During the exam, the veterinarian can give your pet a body condition score and show you how to evaluate this at home in the future.”

Has your fit bunny turned into a round rabbit?

While diet and exercise is important for ALL humans and animals, sometimes packing on the pounds is out of our control. If your rabbit is suddenly gaining weight despite a good diet and exercise 1) don’t feel guilty and 2) book your vet appointment ASAP. According to Dr. McLaughlin, “Sudden weight gain could be a sign of thyroid disease, cancer, heart problems, liver disease, or other health issues. Contact your exotic animal veterinarian immediately if you notice that your rabbit’s weight is fluctuating more than 10 percent of the normal weight (for example, if your 1000 gram rabbit loses or gains more than 100 grams).” Weighing your rabbit at least once a week helps to catch a health problem early before it becomes life threatening.

Slimming Down Safely

If your rabbit is overweight, your exotic vet can help you create a safe weight loss plan. Dr. McLaughlin shared with us a few of her top strategies:

1) “Your rabbit should ideally be given free roam of the house and also allowed supervised time outdoors in a secure, covered enclosure to graze and play and promote exercise.” Here are a few other creative ways to encourage a lazy bun to exercise more.

2) Make sure you’re feeding a nutritionally-balanced rabbit pellet and ask your veterinarian how much should be fed as part of a weight loss plan. “The amount of vegetables that should be fed will vary depending on your rabbit’s size and degree of obesity, but in general, sugary produce such as carrots and fruit should be cut out of the diet except as a rare treat. Don’t restrict access to grass hay, however; this is vital for digestion and dental health, and is unlikely to contribute to obesity,” Dr. McLaughlin advises.

3) “When you feed your rabbit, encourage him/her to work for the food by foraging. This can be as simple as scattering pellets and vegetables throughout the hay instead of feeding them in a bowl. Try stuffing hay and vegetables into paper towel tubes, hiding food underneath boxes, or stringing food up over the rabbit’s enclosure so they have to stand up tall to reach it and pull it down,” she says. We have some other easy DIY toy ideas for rabbits here.

Dr. McLaughlin reminds us that rabbits, just like humans and other animals, usually gain weight as a result of too much food and lack of exercise. While hay should always be available, monitor your rabbit’s pellet and veggie intake. “If rabbits are kept confined to a small space with plenty of food and given nothing else to do, they will overeat out of boredom. While it is important to note that genetics and hormone changes (such as being spayed/neutered) can also effect metabolism and weight gain, these factors are usually manageable with appropriate diet and exercise,” Dr. McLaughlin concludes.

Read more about preventing obesity and safe weight loss tips for rabbits here: https://smallpetselect.com/rabbit-weight-issues/