Owner often overfed their rabbit, he should know that overfeeding is the main thing which causes obesity in rabbits. Yes! You’ve heard it right, rabbits, too, can become overweight just like any other pets. Obesity in rabbits can cause many other problems, related to health and behavioral, which can decrease the life – span of his life. Rabbits which are suffering from obese are unable to function their body normally. I will tell you everything about the problem and treatment of obesity in rabbits. But firsr let me tell you about the causes of obesity :-

CAUSES :-

Well, we all know that human beings also suffers with the same problem – Obesity, and even the causes are same in human beings as well as in the animals. The three things that causes obesity in rabbits are – Too much of food, no exercise, improper diet. If you control these three causes then you’d be able to control gaining weight in rabbits. We often see that people overfed their rabbits in the name of treats, sometimes they do this for fun or any other reason but this is the top most reason that causes obesity in our adorable bunnies, you should know that you should feed him treat once or twice in a week. Secondly, sometimes people do not know about the correct diet of rabbits so they simple feed everything, for example, feeding only alfalfa – based pellets can cause this as alfalfa is higher in proteins, you should feed them a good combination of healthy diet like grass – based pellets, fruits, grass hay etc. In the last, not letting him to roam outside the cage can also cause obesity in rabbits.

DANGERS OF OBESITY IN RABBITS :-

Obesity is a serious problem whether it occurs in humans or pets, it must be treated, otherwise, it can bring many other health and behavioral problems. Over – weight rabbits can develop the following problems :-

♦  Heart problems

♦ Improper digestion

♦  Arthritis *Restricted movement

♦ Inability to groom

♦ Laziness

♦ Skin problems

♦ Bladder stones

♦ Reproductive issues

♦ Fly strike *Sore feet

♦  Pododermatitis which is a common infection of a rabbit’s hock.

♦ Shortened life – span and poor quality of life.

So now you have convinced that how obesity is dangerous for rabbits. Obese rabbits live a miserable and painful life. Sadness is, rabbits do not show any signs if they are suffering from any diseases however you will come to know in the end only when these diseases become worse.

SIGNS :-

There are many signs of obesity rabbits which may range from subtle to very obvious. You should do the most important thing which can help in preventing obese and that is – Observation. You must observe daily your adorable bunny if he shows any illness or weight gain. This will not only help you to identify the illness but it will also helps to create a bond between you and your adorable bunny. The visible signs of obese rabbits may include the following :-

♦ Sluggish behaviour

♦ Difficulty during self – grooming

♦ Bulging skin behind legs

♦  Flaky skin

♦ Difficulty in walking

PREVENTION :-

You have now seen that how obesity is dangerous for your bunny and you do not want your pet to fall into obese category, but do not worry as I told you about the health affects of obesity so I will also like to tell you how to prevent this. Obesity in rabbits can be acheived easily if we aren’t careful. You can prevent this problem by adopting two steps which are as follows :-

1. EXERCISE :-

If you think that exercise is not as important as in dogs or cats then you are wrong because every species needs to do exercise. Letting him to do exercise will not only helps him to stay fit but it will also allow you to spend some quality time with your adorable companion. If you have a large yard then you can allow him to roam in it where he can stretch his legs, you can repeat this exercise daily one hour. However make sure to make the yard predator – proofed. If you don’t have yards then you can simply let him to take inside your home but make sure to keep your cords out of reach as they love to chew! You can also take him by putting him on a leash to the park nearby your neighbourhood after giving proper training. Wherever you take him but make sure to let him exercise atleast one hour daily.

2. PROPER FEEDING :-

The best way The best way to prevent obesity is to feed him a correct balanced – diet. They requires high fibre content im their diet as they are herbivorous. Rabbits’ proper good diet may include good quality hay, vegetables, fruits and plenty of fresh leafy greens. You can also add pellets but in a small amount. Giving pellets contains high amount of protein so feeding him too much of pellets can make him over – weight.

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