“That’s one fat bunny,” the vet said as he examined Coolwhip, my niece Sarah’s nine-month old rabbit. I had to admit that although I didn’t know a lot about bunnies, I didn’t think they should have double chins. Coolwhip, oblivious to comments on her personal appearance, only sat and twitched her nose. Sarah, the person most responsible for the “fat bunny” since she fed CW strawberry yogurt chips by the handful, said nothing. After a few more pokes and prods, as well as a thorough examination of bunny ears, claws, and teeth, the vet announced that the bunny must lose weight.

I was dubious. I wasn’t sure I had ever seen travel Coolwhip for a further distance than her cushion to the food dishes and back again. Coolwhip had a clear dictate on life, “Rabbits sit while people bring them things.” It seemed to be working out for her so far. But, the bunny was very fat. And, apparently, obesity is a common affliction in rabbits - or, to clarify, in domestic rabbits.

Unlike their sleek, wild cousins who romp and run for their lives, domestic rabbits tend toward corpulence. Of course, they also live 5 -10 years longer than their thinner feral counterpoints with a lifespan of 10 – 15 years. While wild rabbits snack on insects and flora, house rabbits tend to eat pellets, fruits and veggies, and, of course, rabbit treats. Rabbit treats, I knew, came in many varieties and filled up an entire half-aisle at Petsmart. There are four different flavors of yogurt chips available at my pet store—Coolwhip favors strawberry, but she’ll take blueberry or pineapple in a pinch. She also likes dried apples.

Coolwhip does not care for lettuce, toothbrushing, or having her claws clipped. She likes to chew things (including electrical cords if you don’t watch her) and she refuses to use her litter box about half the time. She likes to shred rugs with her super-sharp claws (when I don’t cut them on time) and above all other things, she does not like to run. She’ll hop slowly with a petulant look on her bunny-face if you vacuum near her. Although many rabbits are skittish and frightened by loud noises, Coolwhip doesn’t seem to mind noise, cats, or dogs. She does, however, dislike moving.

Coolwhip likes to sit on her cushion, in her bed, under the couch, and by the door to the patio where she can watch Sugar, my mother’s cat, paw at the screen. Sugar is allowed in the front yard, with supervision, twice a day. The bunny, I don’t believe, knows that grass is anything other than a big, green shag-carpet. True, once this bunny knew grass, but in her six months of posh living as Sarah’s beloved bunny-wunny I believe she’s forgotten that the world isn’t air-conditioned.

Coolwhip, originally named Miss Snowball, came from the county fair. She won cutest baby-bunny and Sarah demanded that she take the tiny bundle of white fur home with her. Susan, my sister, quickly decided that the bunny, renamed Coolwhip, would be much happier at my Mother’s house with Sugar the cat rather than at her house with her five very large (and not very rabbit-friendly) dogs. So, Coolwhip came to live at my Mother’s house where she was pampered, cuddled, and fed treats. Coolwhip seemed content, but even rabbits need to worry about their calorie-intake. And, after the vet’s pronouncement it appeared, that Coolwhip’s days of yogurt chips and granola balls were at an end. It was time to put the bunny on a diet. Coolwhip, oblivious to the commentary directed at her, thumped her foot and scratched her amble hip. But, once we arrived back at my Mother’s house, CW began to realize something was amiss.

Usually, when Coolwhip has to undergo some ordeal (vets, nailclipping, toothbrushing,) she is given a treat. If Sarah is the treat-giver, Coolwhip is given many, many treats. But, once home from the vet, there were no treats for Coolwhip. Coolwhip did not like this. She kept checking her blue treat bowl as if its emptiness was puzzling. She pushed her pellets around with her nose. They did not smell like strawberries or yogurt. Coolwhip was not amused.

But, it would take a lot more than cutting back on treats (and her pellets) to help Coolwhip regain her bunny-fitness. She would need exercise as well. We tried encouraging her to hop and play with toys without success. Francie, my sister’s Lasu-Apsu tried chasing Coolwhip and trying to get her to play with Francie’s many toys, but Coolwhip simply sat and stared (to my mind furiously) at the small dog.

Coolwhip and Francie actually have a very good relationship and will sleep in the same basket, but CW’s interactions with Francie consist of Francie sitting (or sleeping) by Coolwhip. Coolwhip does not frolic. She does not like antics. And, she certainly does not like small white dogs dropping belled cat-toys by her nose and barking excitedly. I definitely gave Francie an “A” for effort, but Francie was not going to teach this rabbit any new tricks.

So, as a last resort, we started walking the rabbit. Coolwhip fit perfectly into a cat-harness and with a little leash, you could walk her outside—at least in theory. For the first few hours, Coolwhip simply sat and ate grass or sniffed. But, eventually, she decided that things on the other side of the yard were probably also good to sniff and began to hop just a bit. Sugar, who had probably never seen a leashed rabbit, watched in dread fascination from the lemon balm patch. After a few weeks, Coolwhip was hopping on her leash pleasantly and combined with a reduction in her food, she began to look a bit slimmer. It has been a month and a half since Coolwhip’s “diet” began and she has only one chin now, which is a very good look for her.

Sugar, on the other hand, has never ceased to be fascinated by the rabbit on a string. The cows also like to hang their heads over the yard fence and watch the amazing white bunny. Coolwhip doesn’t seem to mind the attention. Perhaps her earlier beginnings at the county fair and her illustrious first place as cutest bunny have made her immune to all this backyard publicity. But, most importantly, Coolwhip is in for a healthier future.

Sadly, obesity is one of the most common problems in American pets. It is easy to give in to that pleading look and hand your dog a bone or your cat a can of tuna, but probably the better course is a little tough love. Instead of a treat, take your dog for a walk, toss a frisbee, or give them a good, thorough brushing. Crack out the interactive treats for your cat or take your bunny for a long stroll. The exercise will do your pet good—and you too! But, most of all, it will ensure a healthier and happier future for your furry friend.