Why Won’t My Bunny Eat?

Hello everyone, I hope you all are doing well with your beloved rabbits. Today, we are going to discuss a very common but frequently asked question. That is, “Why won’t my bunny eat?” There are many answers to this question, and there could be various reasons behind it. Below, I will discuss these step by step…

Why Your Rabbit Might Not Be Eating: Signs, Symptoms, and What to Do

You just gave your rabbit their favorite fresh leafy greens for dinner, but for some reason, they aren’t excited about eating them. While sometimes this is just a picky rabbit who is turning up their nose at their dinner, it’s often a symptom of something much more serious. If your rabbit ever stops eating, you may need to make some quick decisions to help them recover.

Reasons Why Your Rabbit Isn’t Eating

When a rabbit isn’t eating, it’s usually because they are very ill or stressed. Conditions such as GI stasis, dental disease, or chronic anxiety are likely culprits. If your rabbit ever stops eating for more than 10 hours at a time, they should be brought to a veterinarian for emergency care. And look, It’s very very important. If it’s only been a short amount of time that your rabbit isn’t eating, then the situation may not be serious. You can monitor their other symptoms to determine if this is an emergency that requires immediate attention.

Any change in eating behaviors is something to take seriously in rabbits.

What to Do If Your Rabbit Refuses to Eat

A rabbit not eating is potentially a very serious situation. Rabbit’s digestion is very sensitive, and a loss of appetite is a common sign of many different rabbit illnesses. Since rabbits are very good at hiding when they are not feeling well, this is a subtle symptom that can clue you into your rabbit’s overall health. You have to closely monitor your rabbit, is there any sign of it or not.

When Is a Loss of Appetite an Emergency?

If your rabbit ever refuses to eat anything for more than a ten-hour period, you should treat this as an emergency. A rabbit’s health depends on the constant movement of their digestion. If they stop eating, their digestion comes to a halt, and the rabbit will start to go into gastrointestinal (GI) stasis. If left untreated, the condition can easily be fatal. They need to see a vet as soon as possible so they can receive medication to help get their digestion moving again.

You will also likely need to syringe feed them a rabbit food formula known as Critical Care until they are willing to eat enough on their own. I have another article about “rabbit critical care guide”, You should read this for any emergency.

Steps to Help Your Rabbit Recover

If your rabbit has only been showing a lack of appetite for a short amount of time, there are a couple of steps you can take to try and help them before it becomes an emergency.

Some common symptoms of illness in rabbits include:

• Change in eating habits
• Change in pooping and urinating habits
• Low energy levels
• Sitting in a hunched position
• Lack of balance
• Snotty nose
• Unusually aggressive behavior

The Treat Test for Your Rabbit

 

If I notice that my rabbits are acting unusual and refusing to eat their normal food, the first test I try is the treat test. I get a piece of my rabbit’s favorite food and see if she will eat it. If my bunny immediately gets up, grabs the treat, and starts acting normal, then there is nothing to worry about.

If my rabbit hesitantly eats the treat but not with her normal gusto, I will continue to watch her over the next few hours to see if her appetite and behavior improve.

If my rabbit completely refuses to eat the treat, I will give them baby gas drops, simethicone, and a handful of leafy greens to tempt them. If their behavior doesn’t improve within a few hours, I will give my vet a call and schedule an emergency appointment.

Simethicone for Rabbits: A Quick Solution

Simethicone is simply baby gas drops. It does the same thing for rabbits as it does for babies—it helps them pass gas. I use simethicone if my rabbit isn’t eating because the symptoms of GI stasis are very similar to the symptoms of gas. If you believe your rabbit is not eating because they need to pass gas, you may see them pressing their belly against the ground.

Syringe feed one milliliter of simethicone every hour for three hours. If the situation does not improve after this, assume it’s a more serious condition and seek a qualified veterinarian. Look I am not a vet. For any conditions you should go to your vet or if you can’t just contact them. I am just saying what I do with my rabbit.

Causes of Your Rabbit’s Refusal to Eat

A loss of appetite in rabbits can result from various illnesses. Sometimes they recover on their own and behave normally within a few hours. However, many times you will need professional help to diagnose and treat the problem.

Common Causes of Loss of Appetite in Rabbits

1. GI Stasis

GI stasis is the most common reason a rabbit will not eat for an extended period. GI stasis occurs when a rabbit’s digestive tract slows down and eventually stops. This can be an illness itself or a symptom of other illnesses like pain or stress.

2. Dental Problems

Overgrown teeth are another common issue in rabbits that causes them to avoid eating. For example, they may avoid eating tougher hay and only eat pellets.

3. Pain

Pain, whether from an underlying illness or a physical injury, can cause a rabbit to lose their appetite. If left untreated, it can result in GI stasis.

4. Stress

Stress can also cause rabbits to lose their appetite. For example, rabbits may stop eating if there’s a loud noise or unfamiliar environment.

5. Diet Change

A change in diet can also cause rabbits to lose their appetite. It’s important to introduce new foods gradually to avoid digestive issues. you can also read “what vegetables can rabbit eat?”

What to Do If Your Rabbit Stops Eating Some Foods

If your rabbit won’t eat hay

Hay is very important to a rabbit’s diet, so we want them to eat their hay as much as possible. Unfortunately, some rabbits can be pretty picky about hay. They’d much rather eat the softer, tastier pellets, but too many pellets will cause an imbalance in their digestion and contribute to rapid weight gain. Mix in different types of hay with the timothy. If your rabbit used to eat hay but is now suddenly refusing, then it may be the result of a health problem. Overgrown teeth are a likely culprit since rabbits usually have a more difficult time eating hay than pellets. If you notice any kind of sudden change in your rabbit’s eating habits, you should take your rabbit for a vet visit. You can also read “what to feed a baby rabbit“.

That’s all for today. If you have any question about this feel free to ask in the comment. If you found this article helpful please share it with your bunny parents friends.