Last Updated on June 22, 2023 by Admin
Rabbits are prone to various health problems, one of them being diarrhea or watery stool. As a result, they need a proper diet and a constant supply of clean drinking water to keep them hydrated. However, what lingers in most rabbit owners’ minds, is what to feed a rabbit with diarrhea. This article answers that and everything else related to the topic.
Feeding a Rabbit with diarrhea
A rabbit with diarrhea should feed on a fiber-rich diet as you also keep its starch and sugar intake at a minimum. On top of that, avoid feeding your rabbits fruits or pellets entirely until their poop reverts to a consistent round small-sized shape.
What type of fiber should I feed a rabbit with diarrhea?
Unlimited hay and fresh or dried grass should be the only diet for a rabbit with diarrhea. In other words, fiber is essential since it keeps your pet’s digestive tract fully functional. The coarse or hard nature of various types of hay such as timothy, brome, or orchard, makes it hard to digest. This in turn helps with gut motility which in turn helps prevent watery poop.
How much fiber should a rabbit with diarrhea eat?
Their daily fiber intake should be ½ a cup for 5 pounds of body weight and not the normal ¼ cup. This is mainly because a rabbit’s diet should strictly be limited to eating fiber. To be specific, feed your rabbit hay or dried grass until they completely recover from diarrhea.
Fiber-rich vegetable diet for rabbit’s post-diarrhea
After a week or two after diarrhea recovery, gradually introduce green veggies to your rabbit’s diet. Vegetables are a great source of vitamins and minerals that contain essential nutrients needed for the growth and development of rabbits. In other words, your bunny’s daily veggie intake should be a cup of greens per 2 pounds of body weight.
Some of the leafy greens to feed your rabbits include arugula, carrot tops, broccoli leaves, bok choy, romaine lettuce, kale, kohlrabi, watercress, dandelion, celery leaves, and mustard greens. Non-leafy veggies include bell peppers, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, Chinese pea pods, and Summer or zucchini squash.
How will I know if my rabbit has diarrhea or cecotropes?
A rabbit with diarrhea has mucus or watery droppings as a result of a poor diet, ingesting toxic food, inflammation, or intestinal parasites. Cecotropes on the other hand are dark brown nutritious fecal matter that looks slightly similar to tightly bunched grapes. Each pellet is soft, shiny, and covered in a thick liquid.
What does it mean when a bunny has diarrhea?
Rabbit diarrhea is a fatal condition that may be caused by a poor diet, toxin ingestion, bacteria, or viral infections. As a result, you need to ensure that your rabbit is hydrated and strictly on a hay diet until they fully recover.
Do carrots give rabbits diarrhea?
Yes, carrots can give rabbits diarrhea when consumed excessively. This is mainly due to the high sugar content found in this particular vegetable. On top of that, too much carrot can also lead to obesity or tooth decay. Ideally, carrots are considered treats that your pets should consume sparingly. Two tablespoons per serving, once or twice per week is sufficient.
Do bananas give rabbits diarrhea?
Excessively feeding your rabbits bananas will lead to diarrhea or upset stomach. Although this fruit is highly nutritious, it also contains starch and sugar which may cause digestive issues. As a result, we recommend feeding them 2 or 3 tablespoons per serving thrice per week.
Conclusion
Adult rabbits with diarrhea need to feed on timothy hay while alfalfa is recommended for developing or newly weaned bunnies. Additionally, also provide a constant supply of clean drinking water for your bunnies since diarrhea often leaves them dehydrated. Most importantly, whenever your rabbit has diarrhea, take it to the vet for treatment as soon as possible.
