To understand why rabbits eat their poo, it’s important to note that rabbits produce two types of poop.
There’s the regular hard round pellets. And then there’s a softer kind, usually expelled at night, called caecotroph. It’s this nutrient-dense softer stuff that your bunny will gobble up direct from the anus (we know right, yucko!).
They do this not out of night-time boredom. but because it good for their health.
“It is completely normal behaviour for rabbits to eat caecotrophs at night or early in the morning,” US-based The Spruce Pets says.
“By consuming its caecotrophs (and a healthy diet), a rabbit is getting all of the important nutrients that it needs to stay healthy.”
The scientific name for poop-eating is coprophagia; something your dog might also partake in. But you shouldn’t interrupt your bunny or try to stop them eating poop.
Not sure if your rabbits eat their poo? There is an easy way to find out: Check their legs and rear.
If it’s clean, then you’re good. But, if there’s sticky poop on the fur, your bunny may not be eating their caecotrophs, and it could be worth a trip to the vet to find out why.
What should I feed my rabbit?
Grass is by far the best thing for rabbits to eat. They are natural lawn mowers, so let them do the hard work for you.
The next best thing is dry grass (hay). Note that hay should be ‘grass’ type hay and NOT leguminous (such as lucerne /alfalfa or clover).
Mix up your rabbit’s diet with fresh leafy green vegies such as broccoli, cabbage, celery, endive, beet leaves, brussel sprouts, spinach leaves, bok choy and other Asian greens, chicory, kale, mustard greens, dark-leafed lettuce varieties and herbs.
According to the vets at Gladesville Veterinary Hospital, the idea that lettuce gives rabbits diarrhoea is a common myth. Large amounts of lettuce produce more caecotrophs, creating the false impression that uneaten caecotrophs are diarrhoea.
What should I never feed my rabbit?
There are a number of things you may enjoy that you should avoid sharing with your rabbit.
These include cereals, grains, nuts, seeds, corn, beans, peas, breads, biscuits, sweets, sugar, breakfast cereals or chocolate.
Simple carbohydrates, protein rich and high fat foods are all to be avoided.
Summary of staple diet for rabbits
According to Gladesville Veterinary Hospital, your rabbit’s diet should comprise the following:
- Lots of good quality grass, hay AND fresh leafy green vegies and herbs daily (250gm/kg daily) of at least 3 different varieties
- Treats – maximum of 1-2 tablespoons per day, which can be most fruits, capsicum or root vegetables like carrots and sweet potato
- Avoid rabbit mixes and pellet foods where possible, as fresh is best
