Bunny problem!
By Astraea
@Astraea (175)
Sweden
July 19, 2009 11:23am CST
Hi everyone. I have a 7 year old Polish rabbit, a female. She's very healthy, never had too long teeth or any illness at all. She's always full of energy, lovable and very tame. Everyday I give her fresh hay (as much as she'd like), salad, cool water, and rabbit food. I know that the rabbit food bit isn't too good, since it gives her too much energy. Especially since she lives indoors (of course I let her out, though!).
Anyway, to the problem. The last two years she's been having problems with poop getting stuck in her rectal area. It's almost impossible to get rid of, it's like glue or something. I have to clean her every day, but there's new poop there the day after.
Why does this happen? Is it because of something in her diet? She's neither skinny nor overweight, and is - as I stated above - otherwise perfectly healthy.
Should I add some food? Remove some? Take her for longer walks?
If anyone knows the answer and solution, please tell me. I want my bunny friend to be happy!
1 person likes this
4 responses
@Tiamjr (435)
•
19 Jul 09
Is it hard, or is it soft and gooey? If it is soft and gooey and getting stuck to the rabbits fur, it could be that your rabbit has diarrehea due to eating too many fresh greens. Or it could be the brand of rabbit food you are providing that is causing the problem.
Unfortunately, some brands of rabbit food are not high enough in fibre and it can cause problems. As a guide the food should have a fibre content of about 18% or over. You should check the label, or if you buy unlabelled bags from your pet shop, ask them what the percentage is. If it is less thn this, I would seriously consider buying a different brand of rabbit food.
I would try just feeding your rabbit hay and water for a day or two to see if that clears up the problem.
If not, you should probably go to see a vet because problems with poo are often one of the first signs that your rabbit might be developing some type of illness.
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
20 Jul 09
I had a pet rabbit for awhile, his poop was like little pellets. He never had any problems, I wish I had a good answer for you. I did read some of the other responses and they sound like good ones. Good luck and I hope it all gets better.
1 person likes this
@RssDragon (42)
• Thailand
22 Jul 09
I just came by this thread... I hope you rabbit is doing fine now. Anyway, I also have a rabbit and he has this problem if he eats vegetables with light green color. So when shopping for veggies look for both dark leafy and root vegetables. Also, if you want to know what is causing that problem on him, keep an eye every time he eats some food that you are not usually given to him. Again, I hope that you have stabilized his condition and that now he is Ok.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
19 Jul 09
I would say diet and/or exercise is the problem, I don't know anything about bunny rabbits. Until you can get to the cause can you trim the fur around her annal area
it might help with clean up. It seems to me our rabbits cleaned that area themselves
but it's been so long I can't be sure. Good Luck
1 person likes this
@killadutch08 (6)
• United States
19 Jul 09
I am so sorry to hear your bunny is having this problem. I haven't had my Dutch for long (about 10 months), but I have heard about this problem. If it is very soft poop, known as pudding poop, it may be caused by her diet. If you have introduced new food into her diet, remove the food for a few days to see if that helps. My sister would sneak and give my Dutch too much apple and that would happen to him. If after a day or two, contact a vet to see what else can be done, but I'm sure that the food may be to blame. Longer walks wouldn't hurt either!
1 person likes this
