As with any prey species, domestic rabbits have retained the need to hide signs of weakness, which makes them easy prey.
However, if your bunny shows noticeable signs of illness, it should be taken seriously. This could mean that your bunny is on the brink of needing critical care. One obvious sign is a rabbit that’s not eating.
Why is your rabbit not eating or moving? This post will help you address the issue by rooting out potential health problems and what to do with them.
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Most Common Reasons Why a Rabbit Isn’t Eating
Do you have a depressed rabbit that refuses to eat? Or is your rabbit not eating but acting normally? One of the common health concerns found in rabbits is gastrointestinal stasis. The said condition may also cause your rabbit’s loss of appetite.
What Is Gastrointestinal (GI) Stasis?
Also dubbed gut stasis, this condition refers to the lack or slow movement throughout the digestive system. It is often referred to as the silent killer in rabbits because the signs are hard to spot.
The following are various reasons that can lead to a rabbit’s stagnant intestine:
- Stress
- Dehydration
- Dental issues
- Improper diet (low-fibre diet, high-fat diet, and high-carbohydrate diet)
- Excessive hair ingestion
- Lack of exercise
- Heat stress
It takes one keen-eyed owner to notice early symptoms:
- A gradual decrease in appetite and water consumption
- A gradual reduction in the amount of faecal pellets
- Hunched posture
- Frequently grinding its teeth
What to Do With Early Signs of GI Stasis
This health issue can quickly turn life-threatening if not given immediate medical attention. It is important to execute immediate actions upon noticing any changes in your rabbit’s behaviour.
1. Improve Your Rabbit’s Diet.
If you have a rabbit that’s not eating pellets but eating hay, it should not be much of a problem. It is best to increase your rabbit’s fibre intake. Improve your rabbit’s food intake by providing a variety of fresh hays.
However, if you are having problems with your rabbit not eating hay, you should be prepared for a syringe feeding. Furthermore, it is best to decrease pellet intake. Pellets can only be given for a day or two with the right amount.
As stated above, dehydration is one of the aspects that cause GI. As such, there should be an increase in water consumption.
What if my rabbit is not eating or drinking and lethargic?
Here are some things that may help to encourage your fluffy friend to drink more water:
- Provide water in a crock. Encourage your bunny by providing water more naturally.
- Add flavour to the water with sugar-free fruit juice. Remember to ask assistance from a vet as to which fruit is more suitable for your bunny’s condition.
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2. Provide Enough Exercise.
It is advisable to allow your rabbit to run around in a safe place for several hours a day, especially for caged rabbits. Exercise will help their stomach to function better.
3. Do Gentle Massage.
Gently massage its stomach by moving forward and backward with your hand. Whilst at it, you should keep your bunny on the floor with your hand as support on its back.
Another way is to gently and slowly lift its back end. Similar to the former, the head and back should be supported with hands. These will help your bunny relieve gas and have a better functional stomach.
Other Possible Reasons Why Your Rabbit Is Not Eating
Observe your rabbit to see more obvious reasons as to why it has stopped eating. Here are some of the possible reasons:
- Dental Problems. A rabbit’s teeth grow continuously throughout their lives. If not given proper chewing items, it can result in oral issues such as overgrown teeth, periodontitis, and other dental diseases, making it difficult for rabbits to consume food.Examine your rabbit’s teeth by lifting its lips. Look for inflamed gums and abnormal behavioural changes such as hypersalivation and difficulty in swallowing.
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- Presence of Tumours and Abscesses. This can be spotted through gentle stroking. If you can feel forms of lumps, you should immediately set an appointment with your vet for proper treatment.
- Check If There Is Nasal or Eye Drainage. Your rabbit is likely to use its front paws in wiping its face for any sign of discomfort. You may also check its front paws if it has become dirty from wiping out discharge from nasal or eye drainage. Otherwise, use a mirror and place it under the rabbit’s nose to see if both nostrils are clear.
Dos and Don’ts
- Do provide your bunny with high-fibre pellets in sufficient amounts depending on its weight.
- Do feed your rabbit fresh vegetables to sustain its nutritional requirement. Preferred vegetables are dark, leafy greens, including grass and dandelions (both unsprayed).Provide veggies that contain great amounts of water, such as parsley, escarole, and carrot tops. This kind of diet is the best prevention of impaction.
- Don’t provide too much sugar, fats, and carbohydrates in any of its food as it can further develop toxic bacteria and decrease motility in its GI tract.
- Another important key in its diet is to provide fresh hay at all times.
- Be prepared for syringe feeding at any time. However, do not engage in syringe feeding without the knowledge of its detailed condition. It is best to ask for consultation and a prescription from the vet for important decisions such as this to ensure proper medication.
FAQs About a Rabbit Not Eating
1. How Long Can a Rabbit Go Without Eating?
Rabbits can not eat for up to 12 hours or more. However, pawrents should not let their pets go on without eating for this long as it can result in fatality.
2. What to Do If Your Rabbit Won’t Eat?
If your rabbit stops eating, you need to take it to a vet who is knowledgeable in bunny care right away. Do not delay since it is an emergency condition. Timely diagnosis and treatment will increase its chance of survival.
3. How Do I Know If My Rabbit Has Internal Bleeding?
Rabbits with internal bleeding tend to slow down or stop eating altogether. Other signs to watch out for are fever, lethargy, poor appetite, and low energy.
They are potential symptoms of an uncurable and fatal condition called rabbit haemorrhagic disease.
4. Do Rabbits Stop Eating When in Pain?
Rabbits will stop eating when in pain and also show other signs of behavioural changes.
Teeth grinding, hunched posture, lethargy, and loss of appetite in rabbits are some of the warning signs to keep an eye out for. Without pain relief, these symptoms will persist unless given medical attention.
Conclusion
A rabbit not eating is a dangerous sign of a potentially serious health issue. Refusal to eat for more than 12 hours can result in death. Thus, pet owners must be quick on their feet. If their furry pal exhibits these symptoms, they should be rushed to an animal clinic ASAP.
Be wary of other prevalent life-threatening health issues a pet rabbit might develop. .