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.