Vets often consider testing rabbit poop as a part of their medical checkup, and this is also the same with humans. The rabbit will usually only eat cecotropes in their hutch or cage since these areas are quiet. The second type of waste that rabbits produce is called cecotropes, which aren’t really poop at all. It is unusual for a rabbit to eat dry waste droppings. If their living conditions are insufficient, this can cause psychological problems. The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. So, why do rabbits eat their poop? One of them I have always had to watch out with his cecotropes - he has a tendency not to eat them all and gets messy. Should I be concerned if my rabbit eats its poop? The fiber in hay for rabbits makes intestinal transit efficient, but in some ways, too inefficient. Improper diets, digestive system problems (diseases and conditions) can cause diarrhea in bunnies. It’s a result of feces hardening inside a rabbit’s digestive tract. But that’s all for this article. The other type of dropping is known as a cecotrope. Their diet is mainly made of fibrous hay, supplemented by vegetables and fruit. In doing so, they are able to fully digest their food and reduce waste. If the rabbit is not getting all of their nutrients, they not only eat the cecotropes, but the hard droppings as well. We have taken our lop eared castrated male rabbit, mischief, to the vet for a check up, as he doesn't eat his cecotropes. Click to attach a photo related to your comment. I've had Luci for 3 weeks now, shes a Netherland Dwarf rabbit, 11 weeks old. Why Is My Rabbit Eating Poop (Not Cecotropes)? https://www.rabbitcaretips.com/why-do-rabbits-eat-their-own-poop Image Source Similar to humans, rabbits may be checked for any medical condition or rule out any illness by evaluating their poop. The short-chain fatty acids in their cecals provide an additional source of energy, and the B vitamins provided can be in excess of the rabbit's needs. Rabbits Coprophagy credit:banningvet.com. The one most often seen is the fecal dropping. Once they gobble down the cecotropes, lagomorphs can … This can happen because the rabbit is too obese to reach around their folds of fat, but it can also happen with rabbits who are elderly and disabled with limited mobility. It is estimated that B12is synthesized 100x the daily requirement. Cecotrophy (eating cecotropes / healthy poop) is taught by the mother rabbit (dam) to her offsprings (kits/kittens) as soon as they open their eyes (about ten days). Although it may imply disease, this seemingly strange habit is much more beneficial that would first appear. /r/rabbits is an open community where users can learn, share cute pictures, or ask questions about rabbits. Cecotropes also aid in the replenishment … - Causes, My Dog Keeps Licking Her Private Area - All Possible Reasons. A low body temp can indicate a rabbit in a low of pain and in danger of going into shock. Dogs may eat rabbit poop for a few different reasons, which we’ll discuss below. I've recently got back from working away and have got my 2 bunnies back, who have been living at my parents. However, it can make your dog feel rotten in some cases, and you’ll want to do whatever you can to stop it, because, well, gross. I've had my lionhead rabbit for a week now and have noticed over the last couple of days that he has been leaving mushy poo around his cage. By digesting their food twice rabbits can … Although the food may have reached the end of the digestive tract, not all of the nutrients have been absorbed by the rabbit's body. If they do, it is a clear sign they need to be taken to the veterinarian. Cecotropes look like a bunch of small pieces of poop bunched together, like grapes. They include: Below we show some images with the two main types of rabbit poop. But occasionally you might find some that your rabbit missed. What to Do if My Dog has Something Stuck in his Throat? Why Does My Dog Have a Lump on Their Neck? If you’re concerned about your rabbit’s poop or hanging their diet, you should always contact your local veterinarian first. I know that these are cecotropes rather than dihorrea, due to their appearance and the fact as he has been leaving his usual pelleted poo in normal amounts as well. The only other source is from a live or recently dead healthy rabbit. The only real issue is whether or not the rabbit is eating the right type of poop. – James Jenkins Sep 28 '18 at 14:18 Not all types of rabbit poop are digestible, something we explain further below. Pipkin rabbit, a free range rabbit eats poop! First, check your rabbit's hind end. They are also considered hygienic as they devote a lot of time throughout the day to cleaning themselves. Eating a small amount of rabbit poop is generally not harmful to dogs. She seems to be fine I was just surprised and wondered if anyone else's rabbits do this? You shouldn't be too concerned if your rabbit eats his poop. I know rabbits eat cecotropes but I've noticed (since having her) that sometimes her regular poops are broken up or crushed. They provide the rabbit with the necessary nutrients and vitamins to live. Also, picking the rabbit up and trancing them is a common cause of stress many rabbit owners are unaware of. They are high in nitrogen, short-chain fatty acids, microbial protein, B vitamins, sodium, potassium, water, lysine, the sulfur amino acids, and threonine. However, their diet is so rich in fiber and cellulose that it can be difficult to digest. If a rabbit does not eliminate, she is at risk of developing an intestinal blockage. These are the hard round ones that are seen in the dropping trays. It is because your rabbit is eating a diet that is high in pellets which contain too many nutrients. I'd assumed it happened by accident, maybe she was walking on them or we were walking on them but tonight she started eating her cecotrophes next to me and I saw regular poop dust all over her face and wiskers as well as crushed up poops around her. Rabbits get more nutrition from eating cecotropes than from the food they eat. Rabbits eat their own poop to digest nutrients they were unable to process the first time round. SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. I know rabbits eat cecotropes but I've noticed (since having her) that sometimes her regular poops are broken up or crushed. Devoting such time to cleanliness may mean you get quite a shock when you see a rabbit eating their own poop. These are small, dark brown clusters of fiber, protein and vitamins created in the rabbit’s gut. If a rabbit cannot eat the cecotropes, then she may be missing vital nutrients those special droppings provide. It’s not regular feces, but a substance called cecotropes; It’s produced through the fermentation of food in part of the digestive tract called the cecum These special feces are called cecotropes, or “night feces.”. There are more things that you should learn about why do rabbits eat their poop. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED. In fact, it's a normal and healthy rabbit behavior. The other reason is a medical problem but in your case I would say it is due to the pellets and should resolve itself once you begin adding more vegetables to his diet and reducing the amount of pellets. Physiological problems can result in the rabbit eating their own poop out of stress. My Kitten Has Diarrhea But Acts Normal Otherwise, My Puppy Has Diarrhea - Causes And Treatment, Why is My Dog Throwing Up Yellow - Causes, Treatment & Home Remedies. They have the ability to egest between 200 to 300 individual pellets per day. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Although it is not well understood in dogs, it is believed to be a practice which helps digestion. The feces your rabbit excretes during the day is usually the hard inedible droppings. This is why we should only give them the appropriate fruit and vegetables for rabbits. You should not be worried if you see your rabbit eating their poop. Rabbits are prolific poopers. Thinkstock. Poop is at a core the perfect way of telling if your rabbit is not only healthy but if they have any internal issues. Is this normal? The term for eating feces is known as coprophagia or coprophagy. OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS. 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