Fat rabbit isnt losing any weight.

Question
Hello!
I'm wondering what I can do for my over weight bunny. He's a neutered male, 3.5 years old, a mini Rex mix.
The vet has seen him and says his weight issue doesn't seem to be linked to an underlying health problem, but to his breed. He is very active, is in a 7'x3'pen half the day, the other half he's free roam. He eats plenty of hay and leafy greens. He gets only 1 teaspoon of pellets, Oxbow Natural Science. He gets treats only twice a week-- oxbow papaya enzyme tablets. I give these to prevent wool block.
I also give him Snak Shaks-- made of alfalfa hay and honey. I know these are total junk, but I give them to keep his front teeth a good length.
I'm wondering if I should take any of these things out of his diet, or will that do not harm than good? Is it better for him to be overweight and get the nutrition from the pellets? Does he need the papaya enzyme tablets? Does he need the snak shaks for his teeth? Should I leave the diet as is and let me him be fat? Or restrict his diet farther?
Thank you so much!

Answer
Dear Bethany,

You know... we have a couple of bunnies (Elinor and Zuma; each living with different pals) who are just BIG girls.  They do not overeat.  They do not get a lot of snacks.  They are relatively active.  But they are just BIG.

Your bunny has the added difficulty of being a Rex. This breed is prone to being overweight, possibly because they spend less metabolic energy making fur.  If your bunny is neutered, he's also not expending energy on reproductive activities, and that's another possible reason his calories are just...stored.

Life is too short for Draconian measures.  From your description, his diet sounds healthy.  Some bunnies are just genetically destined to be "big boned".  Wish I had a magic solution, but my suggestion would be to keep up what you're doing and just love that big guy the way he is.

:)

Dana