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Gastric trichobezoars in rabbits Rabbits are herbivores, meaning their diet consists entirely of plant material. Like most herbivores, the stomach and intestines of a healthy rabbit are never empty. The fiber in their diet is broken down as it moves through their system. The digestible portion is deposited in the cecum, a large pouch at the junction of the small and large intestines, where it is converted into nutrients such as fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins. The indigestible portion of the diet moves on through the large intestine. The amount of indigestible fiber determines the speed of the intestinal tract. If the fiber content is not properly balanced, a vicious cycle is started and the result can be fatal. The motility of the intestinal tract slows and the rabbit's appetite decreases, probably due to a feeling of fullness. As the food and water intake decreases, the material in the intestinal tract becomes more dehydrated and impacted, causing the rabbit to be more uncomfortable and less likely to eat. The blockage of the intestinal tract, if not treated properly and rapidly, will result in a slow, painful death for the rabbit. Gastro-intestinal stasis/blockage is treatable, but early treatment is a must. As usual, prevention is the best medicine. This condition is 99% preventable. Providing a proper diet and monitoring your rabbit for any signs of illness will catch the problem early or prevent the condition from occurring at all. A properly balanced diet is important for all of us but more so for our pet rabbits. Commercially available rabbit food is a great first step in providing a good diet to your pet rabbit. Supplement this with hay fed free choice. Timothy hay is the better choice for adult rabbits. (Check out www.oxbowhay.com for good, properly balanced rabbit food.) For rabbits that have a good mix of rabbit pellets and hay, fresh vegetables are not a necessity. Should you choose to give your rabbit vegetables, use high fiber "greens" such as parsley, carrot tops, endive, broccoli leaves, collard greens, and dandelion greens (be sure to wash all vegetables well). Make sure these do not make up the primary portion of your rabbit's diet. Rabbits should have fresh hay available to them 24 hours a day and, of course, a supply of fresh water. Most rabbits do best with a water bottle rather than a water bowl.
Obesity management
There are a variety of causes of obesity including:
How can you tell if your pet is overweight? Give it the "rib test". The most important part of a successful weight loss program is a total commitment from the pet owner. Following a sound diet and exercise program under the supervision of your veterinarian will increase your pet's vitality and lengthen its life. And right now is a great time to start!!
Pet Treat Recipes
Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits (My dog loves this one!)
Preheat oven to 350 . Combine flour, wheat germ, and salt in a large bowl. Mix in the peanut butter, egg, oil, and honey. Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ½ inch thick. Using a cookie cutter (a dog bone shaped one if you can find it), cut out biscuits and transfer to a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake 15-25 min. for small biscuits, 20-30 min. for larger biscuits. Store in the refrigerator.
Cat's Meow Cookies
Thoroughly mix ingredients together. Roll into balls about the size of a marble. Place on a cookie sheet treated with fat-free non-stick cooking spray. Bake at 350 until brown, about 12 - 15 min. Let cool before removing. Store soft cookies in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
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The most common clinical problems seen in pet rabbits are related to the gastro-intestinal system. A healthy rabbit maintains a very delicate balance in their gastro-intestinal tract and can be thrown out of balance quickly. Trichobezoars, or hairballs, is a common diagnosis in pet rabbits, however rather than being the actual problem, hairballs are the result of gastro-intestinal stasis (a slowing or stopping of the normal movement of food through the intestinal tract). To help you better understand the condition, we'd first like to give you an overview of how the rabbit's gastro-intestinal system functions.
At an ideal weight your pet's ribs should be easily palpable (felt) with only a thin layer of muscle covering them. If you can't feel the ribs or if you need to use a lot of pressure to feel them, your pet is overweight. Also, look at your dog or cat from above (they must be standing). You should see a waistline behind their rib cage. And, from the side, an abdominal tuck should be visible. Ask your veterinarian to determine your pet's body score. They will use a scale of 1-9 with 1 being emaciated, 9 being severely obese, and 5 being ideal. You will then be given a recommendation for a diet specifically formulated for weight loss, and a feeding plan 
personalized for your pet. Using a pet food formulated specifically for weight management will help your pet feel satisfied while shedding the excess pounds. The right food in the right amount will result in a safe and maintainable weight loss.