dwarf rabbits

Question
my rabbit is approx 6yrs old & recently has lost a lot of weight even though it is still eating well, iwas wondering how long dwarf rabbits live & if it is just old age ?

Answer
Dear Gill,

Six years is not old for a rabbit.  Dwarf rabbits can live well beyond ten with proper care.

Chronic weight loss/wasting can be due to renal disease, and a good rabbit vet can check this by drawing blood and checking values such as B.U.N. (Blood Urea Nitrogen), creatinine, etc.  If a problem is found, then treatment options can be considered and implemented.

Another common cause of weight loss, especially in dwarf rabbits, is molar spurs causing pain during eating.  Please read:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/dental.html

and check his diet here:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/diet.html

For now, give unlimited healthy pellets to keep his weight up. But get him to a good rabbit vet for a full wellness check ASAP:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Hope this helps.

Dana