Rabbits consume large portions of dietary fiber every day, so they poop a lot. That said, when you notice your rabbit not pooping, it’s very likely that she is not well and needs your help.
Bunnies have a complicated and delicate digestion system. Whereas bloating, diarrhea or constipation are minor issues to us, these are signs of bunnies’ serious health problems.
So read on to understand why your long-eared furry friend does not poop and find out solutions to fix it.
How often should a healthy rabbit poop?
On average, rabbits produce 300 poops a day, but it’s hard to tell the precise amount and frequency as they can poop in hidden spots of her hutch that we can’t see.
Sometimes they also eat their own droppings and digest them another time, as this is an important step in their digestion process.
Why is your rabbit not pooping?
Bunnies usually produce soft and moist stool, so if you see your rabbit not pooping as much as usual or her stool is dry, she’s probably facing a stomach problem called gastrointestinal stasis (GI) or gut stasis in short.
Stasis is the slow movement of food through the digestive tract, and if not treated soon, stasis can be life-threatening for your little rabbits.
Causes of this issue vary, but these are the most common ones:
- Diet
Fiber should be the largest bulk of your rabbits’ daily diet. So their appropriate diet should include mostly hay (around 70%), some fresh veggies (around 25%), and a small amount of pellets.
Variety is also important. Otherwise, they can’t get proper nutrition, causing digestion problems.
- Low supplement of vitamin C
If you see your rabbit eating normally but not pooping, one of the reasons can be the lack of vitamin C in her daily food intake. Like humans, rabbits also need a number of vitamins, including vitamin C, to properly function.
Given this, if they do not poop, there is probably a shortage of vitamin C in the foods they consume.
- Dental problems
Rabbits chew their foods constantly, so unhealthy teeth might cause difficulties in breaking down foods, which will lead to improper food digestion and pooping issues.
- Dehydration
Water is just as vital to rabbits as it is to the human body. So if you notice that they have decreased appetite, crusty eyes, or pebble poops, maybe they are dehydrated and need more water.
How to get your bunny to poop?
Rabbits have sensitive stomachs, making them prone to stasis. If you take good care of them, you can notice early signs of abnormal digestion.
Follow several below suggestions to relieve your rabbit’s constipation. In case the problem becomes severe, it’s best to bring them to a vet for immediate treatment.
- More fluids
Delay bowel movements can be the result of the lack of fluids. By supplying your rabbits with more water, the situation can be greatly improved.
You can place a syringe in one corner of her mouth so she can swallow it slowly. Aside from freshwater, you can also let her drink apple or carrot juice, as food diversity is beneficial to her digestion.
If a syringe does not help your rabbit to drink, then consult your veterinarian for subcutaneous fluids, usually taken beneath the skin.
- More fresh hay
The main proportion of rabbits’ daily diet should be fresh hay. Timothy is believed to be the best choice of fresh grass as it has the right balance of protein, fat, and fiber for your bunnies. In case your bunny doesn’t like to eat Timothy, other alternatives could be oat or orchard hay.
Avoid feeding them with either alfalfa or clover hay. These two are rich in both protein and calcium, which might cause bloating and indigestion.
- More wet, leafy herbs
Fresh, leafy herbs and vegetables contain fiber and magnesium, playing an essential role in contributing to a healthy diet for your bunnies. They also help to feed friendly bacteria in their gut and limit the growth of unfriendly ones.
Feed them a variety of green veggies every day. Ideally, pick 4 to 5 different types like kale, cabbage, cucumber, Brussel sprouts, fennel.
If you plan to introduce new kinds of greens to their diets, make sure it comes in small amounts first and add more gradually to avoid upsetting their stomach.
- Massage
Gentle massage can help ease your bunny’s gas pain or lazy gut.
Simply hold her in your lap with her head in your elbow (holding her like this will ensure that she feels secure) and gently rub the belly to stimulate gut movements.
As rabbits’ digestive tract is sensitive and delicate, make sure that you use your hands with care so that she won’t get any bruises.
Most bunnies will be a bit surprised at first but will then feel relieved with comfort if you know how to do it the right way.
How to stop rabbit pooping in the house?
How to deal with rabbit that pooping everywhere? Well, there are five steps to stop rabbit popping as highlight in this video. Check out now.
Stress can make your rabbit stop pooping!
When you notice your rabbit eating normally but not pooping, stress can be the cause.
Bunnies tend to get anxious easily as they are the animals of habits. It often takes time for them to get used to their surroundings. Therefore, changes in their living environments can trigger stress.
For example, moving her to a newly bought cage or getting her to travel with you in a car can prompt stress. Also, a loud and strange person in the house, a big neighbor’s dog coming close to their hutch, or a wild animal in your backyard can spook her.
So if anxiety is the reason for constipation, then it is only a short-term symptom that will soon disappear. There is no need for any treatment aside from comforting her in your lap for a while.
Last words
When you notice your rabbit not pooping, the key reason can be stasis, which can be treated by adding more fiber and fluids to her daily food intake. However, if it’s only a temporary symptom, your rabbit is probably stressed due to sudden changes in her living environment.
We hope you’ve got helpful insights to take care of your bunny when she does not poop. Equipping yourself with ample knowledge will make the job of feeding and caring for bunnies a joy!