Foods that cause rabbit diarrhea include sugary treats, starchy foods (like potatoes, corn, beans, bread, pasta), processed human snacks (chips, cookies, cereal), iceberg lettuce, excessive rich greens (cabbage, broccoli, spinach), nuts, and sudden changes in diet, as these disrupt their sensitive digestive system, leading to gas, bloating, and diarrhea, with severe cases requiring a vet visit. A rabbit's diet should primarily be hay, with limited fresh veggies and tiny fruit treats.
Dark, leafy greens and other types of lettuce like Bibb lettuce or Romaine are OK. But iceberg lettuce actually contains a toxin called lactucarium. A small amount is not usually harmful, but eating large amounts of iceberg lettuce can cause severe diarrhea and weakness and may even be fatal to young rabbits.
Sulphonamides or antibiotics are used to treat rabbits with bacterial diarrhoea. The result of the antibiotic treatment is moderately successful. We had good results using oral rehydration treatment in combination with loperamide hydrochloride (Immodium) in a colony of rabbits with E. coli diarrhoea.
Runny Stool: When Things Go Wrong
True diarrhea (unformed, watery feces) is relatively rare in adult rabbits. It can be caused by intestinal parasites, such as coccidia (Eimeria spp.), roundworms, tapeworms, or anything that inflames the intestinal lining.
True diarrhea is very rare in rabbits and is cause for alarm. Rabbits with diarrhea may be infected with deadly parasites or possibly have been exposed to poisons.
The actual appearance of unhealthy rabbit poop can vary widely, but some things you might see are:
“The uncontrolled feeding of a pelleted diet to a house rabbit can lead to obesity, heart and liver disease, chronic diarrhea, and kidney disease as a result of the high concentration of calories, low fiber, and high calcium levels in the pellets,” says Dr.
Feeding green stuff such as fresh grass, cabbage leaves and dandelion leaves can help correct this. However, feeding too much green stuff invariably results in soft stools indicating an imbalance in the gut flora.
If rabbits have been under stress for long periods, then they can start to suffer signs of chronic stress, and this can make them very poorly. Stressed bunnies may shed hair, or even pull out their hair; they may suffer from diarrhoea, they may not groom properly and can even die from chronic stress.
Left untreated, diarrhoea can become a serious and life-threatening problem. If possible, take a sample of your rabbit's poo to show your vet. If you aren't sure which of your rabbits is passing abnormal poo, take them both/all to your vet.
Apply cornstarch powder liberally to the soiled areas, and gently work the powder around dried poops, into the fur, and down to the skin. (If you have someone available to help, have that person use a hand-held vaccuum to suck up the floating powder, so that neither you nor bunny inhales much of it.
Stress can also cause upset stomach in rabbits, so any illness, painful condition, or other stressful event are common triggers. As well as keeping your bun in a calm, stress-free environment away from predators like dogs and cats, dietary management is key to keeping their digestive system in full working order.
Yes, they do! But carrots are more like a sugary treat for a rabbit (so are fruits), so they should be given in small quantities. They can upset a rabbit's digestive system if given too much. A better way to think about giving a healthy variety of foods to your bunny is to feed a salad a day.
Similarly, if your rabbit ever ingests one of the items listed below (regardless of quantity), call your veterinarian immediately.
The 3-3-3 rule for rabbits (and other pets) is a guideline for adjusting to a new home: 3 Days for the rabbit to feel overwhelmed and hide, 3 Weeks to start settling in and showing personality, and 3 Months to feel truly at home and build a strong bond. It helps adopters manage expectations, understand that fear and skittishness are normal, and encourages patience as the bunny decompresses in its new environment, emphasizing providing a safe space and routine.
Stress diarrhea is loose stools that occur when you are dealing with stressful situations. If stress is the cause of your diarrhea, you may also experience one or more of the following symptoms2,3: Headaches or neck tension.
Eliminate all vegetables, fruits and other foods, and provide fresh water constantly. If soft stools are still mixed in with normal fecal pellets after 1 week of feeding hay and pellets only, see your veterinarian. If your rabbit stops eating, or stops producing normal fecal pellets, see your veterinarian immediately.
In contrast, lighter lettuces like iceberg contain lactucarium, which can cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. Introduce lettuce gradually into your rabbit's diet and monitor their reaction. Serve small amounts initially to ensure it doesn't upset their stomach.
Rabbits are prey animals; that is, they are the ones preyed on by the carnivorous animals (raccoons, dogs, wolves, cats). Raccoons have been known to scare a rabbit to death just by crawling over his cage, never making contact. Your rabbit depends on you to keep him safe.
There are many different reasons why you should never feed your pet rabbit solely carrots and lettuce. Think about it – that would be comparable to humans sustaining on a diet of apples and cheese. Furthermore, carrots are high in calcium so too many can cause health issues.
A rabbit that has had an episode of runny or soft stools but is otherwise alert, lively, eating and generally his/her usual self should be safe overnight, and you can call the vet for advice in the morning if the problem persists.
Most of their diet should be fresh hay and grass, with some leafy greens and a few pellets. They should only be given fruit and root vegetables, like carrots, as an occasional treat and shouldn't eat muesli at all. Make sure they have water available to drink at all times.
A previous study based on primary veterinary care showed that the most common causes of death in pet rabbits were myiasis, myxomatosis, and bite injuries, which could be prevented by improved housing and suitable care [5].
What are the signs of coccidia in rabbits? Many rabbits with this disease show no symptoms or clinical signs. They simply carry the organism in their intestinal tracts and pass it to other rabbits in their infected stool. But if they do show signs, they often have watery, mucoid, or possibly blood-tinged diarrhea.
Signs your rabbit is unwell