My rabbit's stomach is fat, but its back is bony. Is this normal?

Hello. I am sorry for such a long wait for an answer, but something is really amiss with your bunnies. To have obvious muscle loss along with an expanding belly indicates some disease process is ongoing. The swelling in the belly can be due to fluid buildup or enlargement of some of the abdominal orgas, called organomegaly. This is really something that requires a hands on exam & possibly some diagnostic tests run as well as a good overview of your husbandry practices. I hope all is well soon & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello, and thank you for your question. I think your question got cut off, but I believe the neck fat you are referring to is the "dewlap", which is normal in female bunnies. This is where they can pull out extra fur to help make a nest if they were to have babies. It is perfectly normal. However, obese bunnies or ones with a very large dewlap may have difficulty eating and grooming themselves. They may also be more prone to skin infections of the area, so it is important to help your bunny with grooming the dewlap if she is having difficulty doing so herself. I hope this helps, and that Fluffy is doing well!

Hi there. It would be easier for me to help you if you could post a photo of the bulge. One way that may help you determine if it is fat or an actual problem is symmetry. Is this bulge directly in the middle of his neck or off to the side? If it is off to one side it is more likely to be an infection, tumor, etc. Without a photo my best guess is that he has an abscess (infection) which is fairly common for rabbits to get. I would suggest you have him examined by a veterinarian that is used to treating rabbits. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Thanks for reaching out about Cookie. A fecal examination for parasites and blood work to rule in/out metabolic or infectious concerns is recommended. A condition such as inflammatory bowel disease has been found in rabbits, preventing them from absorbing nutrients well. You should see your veterinarian again. Good luck.

I suppose it could be a full belly, but since it is something you haven’t felt before then I would be suspicious that it is something else. If it is still there tomorrow I would recommend that he be seen by your veterinarian. Best of luck to both of you and thank you for using Pet Coach.

If the rabbit is eating and drinking and everything else is normal I would not be worried. It is very normal for them to have gut sounds. Rabbits should be eating hay (like for horses) as the main part of the diet so if you are not doing that, you need to start. That keeps their GI tract healthy and their teeth.

Thanks for reaching out about Butter and including a photo. Gastrointestinal (stomach) upset is common in rabbits and can have many causes: ingested foreign body, infection, parasites, pain, dental disease, metabolic disorders (liver, renal), stress and more. If this is persistent, a veterinary visit is recommended, sooner than later. Keep diet consistent and try to limit sugars and carbohydrates. The more hay they eat the better. Good luck.