01/05/2020
Did you know that you can identify if your rabbit is healthy through their p**p??
And did you also know the there's a kind of p**p which can be eaten by our bunnies?
disclaimer. ito po ay base sa aming obserbasyon, pagreresearch, at base nadin sa karanasan ng mga nakakausap nating mga breeders. (second photo not mine)
warning: long content but worth it.
according to saveafluff.co.uk
You can tell that your bunny is healthy if thier p**ps are
small,(depending on the size of your bunny) brown round, balls, almost odourless, with no liquid component
These are the usual type of rabbit p**ps we'd think of, or you would see when walking in fields; they are mainly made up of undigested hay or food. These p**ps should be plentiful, round like peas and of a uniform size and shape and size. They should be firm but not too hard if squeezed. If the f***l pellets are poorly formed, too small, too hard (like grit), or odd shapes, it's most likley your bunny is not getting enough fibre and needs to eat more hay and drink plenty of water, though it could be an indication of other possible health problems so ask a vet. If the poos are strung together like a necklace this can indicate your bunny is ingesting too much fur.
rabbits eat their own poo? It is mainly these smelly caecotrophes that they eat but occasionally they will eat a pellet or 2. Sometimes you will see your rabbit 'cleaning' themselves then they look up and they're munching on something - they have eaten a cecotrophe straight from their bum! This poo is made from the nutritious bits of food that have been sent to the caecum (appendix), fermented, then expelled as a nutritious snack. Also known as 'night faeces' as they often eat them at night (they like to do it in private). It's really important for rabbits to eat these caecotrophes so don't discourage them. In fact, if your rabbit is producing them but can't reach to eat them, don't throw them away - put them in front of him and he will eat them. This way he won't miss out on vital nutrients.
If you see a lot of cecotrophes then your rabbit may have too rich a diet. More hay should help, and cut down on pellets. If their diet is not properly balanced then the cecotrophes will have a consistency similar to toothpaste rather than the ideal (pic above) form of bunched, squishy pellets. Poorly formed cecals may also be missing nutrients.
Why does my rabbit have a dirty bottom? Why am I finding lots of cecotrophes?
The most common cause is an unbalanced diet (read below how to change it) but it can be for a number of reasons so keep an eye on your bunny and ask a rabbit-savvy vet for advice if it keeps happening. In the case of very runny poo / diarrhea contact your vet straight away.
If you are finding a lot of 'night poos' aka cecotrophes, your rabbit may not have been able to reach round to eat them. If they're still quite fresh don't throw them away - put them in front of him and he will eat them, and their important nutritional content. See your vet for reasons why your rabbit is unable to reach underneath to eat them (could be mobility issues such as arthritis etc).
How to create a balanced diet for your rabbit
Over-feeding pellets or mix will cause a runny bum. Each day your rabbits should be having:
90% hay (a pile the size of the rabbit, per rabbit, per day) Read why hay is vital for rabbits
a small handful / eggcup full of pellets (the type that all looks the same, not muesli-style mix)
a mixture of greens, veggies, fruits (1 cup of vegetables for each 4 lbs of body weight, up to 2 tablespoons of fruit per day)
Vegetables should only be given to buns over the age of 6 months, and introduced slowly over 3 - 4 days. Only give a small amount and wait for 24 hours. If there are any signs of runny poo, dirty bums, or noisy tummies (gurgling etc) then withdraw the food and try with something else after everything has settled back to normal. Allow 5 - 7 days before making any other additions. Avoid sweet foods like carrots, as they are too high in natural sugar which can cause upset tums.
