December 21, 2019
Winter’s a tricky time when it comes to staying in shape – the cold makes us want to exercise less and eat more. And our rabbits can fall into the same trap – whether they live inside or outside.
If your rabbit has put on a bit weight, our nurses at Bayswater Vets can offer free advice when you book an appointment.
Book a vet nurse appointment for your bunny
Meanwhile, the team has some tips on how you can check your rabbit’s weight yourself and keep up its exercise regime. They can even create a bespoke diet to help get your rabbit back into shape.
Checking your rabbit’s weight
It’s important to make sure your rabbit isn’t overweight, as that can cause other problems, such as:
- Lethargy
- Heart, liver, and kidney disease
- Diarrhoea
- Heat stress in hot weather
- Splayed legs
- Arthritis
- Breeding and birthing problems
A simple check to see if your rabbit is overweight is to feel for its spine. If you can easily feel it, your pet may be underweight. If you can feel it after pressing a little, gently, it is probably normal. But if you can’t feel it at all, it is probably overweight.
Exercising your rabbit in Bayswater
If your rabbit lives outside you may want to bring it into the house for the winter and let it run around a rabbit-proofed room for a few hours a day to get companionship and stimulation.
Even if you have other animals, such as dogs or cats, in your home, you can make a safe run for your rabbit indoors with, say, a large dog crate.
You could also bring it into another inside space such as a shed, where it will be warmer – but make sure it has an exercise area that is well insulated. Also, make sure it has plenty of toys to provide encouragement to exercise.
Finding the right diet
If the calories have still taken their toll and the weight’s not shifting, diet is important to get your pet back to its trim state.
Our team at Bayswater Veterinary Clinic will happily develop a diet for your rabbit’s specific needs, so feel free to give us a call and make an appointment for dietary advice.
