Cecotrope problems

[Lopz]

My rabbits are neutered and spayed, and they eat most of their night poos like they should. But for the four years I have had them, I usually wake up to find dried, hardened, once-soft cecotropes on the floor. They are really hard to clean off the floor and I have to soak them. But of course the bunnies like running through the vinegar-water mixture I use. All three are litter trained, but there are always about ten to fifteen “pellets” on the ground each day when I come to clean up their cage. How do I stop these two habits? I have one female Mini Lop, one Holland Lop and a Mini Lop Holland Lop mix. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank-you!

[jerseygirl]

I have one rabbit that does this. He has different things going on with him so it’s been hard to determine exactly why it happens with him. I do find removing the mess easier onces it’s dried though. I either use a paint scraper or the edge of the dust pan. Then, water/vinegar for the rest if it’s on wipeable surface.

Are your 3 in together? Do you have any suspicions if its one particular bunny? Sometimes you can tell but checking their underside for any leftover mess.

What is their diet made up of? Are any of them slow eaters or one particular bunny a greedy guts?
What age are they? Have any of them had any health concerns in the past?

[Lopz]

All three are together. I have one female, and two males. They are all neutered and spayed. I rescued one of my males and the female, so I do not know their age. But my other male is turning three this month. The other two are a bit older than him. They are all very greedy over their pellets, and wait by their dish and jump at the wall when I come down. I give them their pellets, unlimited hay in their litterbox, and fresh water every morning in a water dispenser. They have cardboard and wooden toys. I am pretty sure it is just the males who are doing it, but I am not sure. My youngest male developed head-tilt when he was three weeks old, and nearly died. But with medication I nursed him back. He was also the smallest. Ever since then, though he recovered, he loves running in circles when he’s excited, and he loves playing “tag” even though he hates being touched.

[LittlePuffyTail]

My boy has been leaving lots of cecals around lately too. I suspect it’s arthritis limiting his reaching ability to eat them but we’ve yet to determine a cause. Depending of your bun’s age, arthritis may be the culprit as well. Or it could be caused by a too rich diet.

Are your buns on Timothy pellets and Timothy Hay?

Those little things are really like glue!!! I use an old credit card to scrape up the dried bits and then leave a wet paper towel on the rest for a few minutes before wiping it up.

[Lopz]

Yes, they have Sprout brand timothy pellets and Kaytee brand timothy hay. I get both from Mills Fleet Farm.
I do not know how old the main culprit is, but all three can reach their bottoms. I have watched them. It is like they are just lazy.
Their cage is a six by six foot puppy pen with a second level going around the edges of half the cage. Half of the cage is soft fleece and rugs (including the top part) and the other half is cement flooring. It takes forever to get off the cement, and they don’t care about the carpet either! I have to wash the soft side all the time because of this, dealing with it for four years. Grr! Sometimes those lops are challenging! ?

[Lopz]

I was right. It is Soapy and Lil’Bud! I checked their bottoms, and those two had to get their fur slightly trimmed in that area. Also, my bunnies are litter trained, but they drop some pellets all over and it is annoying having to clean them up in the morning, and they pee on some fabrics that i put in there. Is there any way to fix all three problems? I would appreciate any tips.

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