You knew you were getting a fluffy friend and knew you’d have to learn how to be their caregiver, but did you know you would also be a poop conoiuseur? Lucky you.
Bunnies poop A LOT. Not only that, but they also have different kinds of poop. Their poop can tell you about their health, their stress level and can warn you when something is off within their bodies. Rabbits have very sensitive tummies!
Let’s see the different types of poo, what they might mean, and some other things surrounding poo.
Image From: bunnywonderlandsg.com
What Bunny Poo Should Look Like
Consistency is crucial. I like to tell people who pick up a bun from me that bunny poo is round, and if you flick it, it rolls. It can be brown, to pale yellow-brown, to greenish. They are slightly wet at first but they should be dry. They will be easy to pick up and sweep up, and it shouldn’t leave any residue when touched. They will crumble apart when smooshed or crushed.
SUGGESTION: Keep it up! The more golden yellow the better!
String of Pearls - Hairy Connectivity
A string of pearls is a nice way to say poo berries with hair stuck in between them. Usually this happens when they need more fiber in their diet. Think of a cat and hair balls; they lick and lick to clean themselves and in doing, they so ingest hair. So imagine little balls instead of longer pieces and all strung together with pieces of embroidery floss or string.
SUGGESTION: Increase fiber intake (hay). Decrease fresh foods and pellets, and increase hay, then slowly re-introduce.
Squishy Berries - Soft & Sticky
Soft and sticky poo usually means too much imbalance in sugar intake. This can be from eating more pellets, and fresh foods than normal; or even high nutrient hay (like Alfalfa). Baby buns eat alfalfa because they are growing. Mama buns eat alfalfa because they are making milk or building condition, but over a year it is too nutrient rich for most buns (pets & boys).
SUGGESTION: Increase fiber intake (hay). Decrease fresh foods and pellets, and increase hay, then slowly re-introduce.
Abnormal Shapes & Sizes
Does the shape or size if your buns poo seem to suddenly change? Or change within the same poop session? If the shape isn’t round and consistent, or suddenly is smaller, darker or harder than normal–your bun could be dehydrated.
Be aware that GI Stasis might be on the horizon. This can affect buns quickly and cause big issues. Watch the poo for a bit.
SUGGESTION: Push fluids, push hay. Watch carefully for food intake and fluid intake changes, as well as the decrease in or the stopping of output entirely.
Cecotropes - Grape-ish
Most of the time this poo will cause concern for bunny owners. These densely packed, smelly and squishy poops are actually probiotics and usually buns eat them, but occasionally they will miss them. Usually adults will look like they are cleaning themselves and come up chewing. Babies are easily distracted but usually figure it out pretty quick.
SUGGESTION: NOTHING! This is actually a sign that your bunny’s tummy is working properly! They just missed it. If you start seeing a bunch, their food/treats are too high and push hay.
Actual Diarrhea is 100% Life Threatening
Watery poo is an EXTREME emergency for bunnies. It usually means dehydration and immediate vet care as soon as possible.
SUGGESTION: VET ASAP. Yes on weekends, yes on Sundays, yes on evenings. Find an emergency vet ASAP and get there quickly.
RUN. DO NOT WALK. DO NOT PASS GO. DO NOT COLLECT $200. (It's going to go to the vet anyway.)
Read More Bunny Care Guides
All About Bunny Berries aka Poo
Male or Female? Does it Matter What Gender Bunny I Get?
