How often should I weigh my rabbit and what weight changes should worry me?

Rabbits should be weighed weekly; a weight loss of more than 10% over two weeks, or any rapid unexplained gain, warrants a veterinary check — body weight is one of the most reliable early indicators of underlying disease in rabbits.

Rabbits mask illness extremely well — it is an evolutionary survival strategy. Weight tracking gives you objective data that cuts through this masking and detects problems while they are still treatable.

Healthy weight ranges by breed
- Dwarf breeds (Netherland Dwarf, Mini Lop): 0.9–1.8 kg
- Small breeds (Dutch, Rex mini): 1.8–2.7 kg
- Medium breeds (New Zealand, Rex): 3.6–5.4 kg
- Large breeds (Flemish Giant, French Lop): 5.4–10+ kg

Body condition scoring (1–5 scale)
- 1 (emaciated): spine, ribs, hips sharply prominent with no muscle coverage
- 2 (underweight): ribs and spine easily felt with minimal muscle
- 3 (ideal): ribs palpable with gentle pressure, spine smooth, hip bones not prominent
- 4 (overweight): ribs difficult to feel, spine cushioned by fat, dewlap visible in does
- 5 (obese): ribs cannot be felt, large fat deposits, unable to groom hindquarters

Weekly weighing protocol
Use digital kitchen scales accurate to 2g. Weigh at the same time of day (morning before first feeding). Record in a log. A variance of ±50g week to week is normal. A consistent downward or upward trend is significant regardless of absolute value.

Weight loss red flags
- More than 5% loss in 1 week: investigate immediately
- More than 10% loss in 2 weeks: veterinary appointment same week
- Gradual loss over months: dental disease, chronic kidney disease, E. cuniculi, or cancer

Growth charts for young rabbits (0–6 months)
Kits should gain weight every single day for the first 8 weeks. Any day of weight loss in a kit under 8 weeks old is an emergency.

Log your rabbit's weekly weight in Flovvi and watch trends on an automatic chart. Our app will flag abnormal deviations and suggest whether to monitor or see a vet.