Strange eating habits

[Hobo Floof]

My rabbits sometimes decide not to eat. There is not clear pattern as to when this happens, although Hobo is having this problem right now. It usually goes on for about 12 hours. In these hours, the rabbit (even though they would usually commit murder to get their food early) don’t eat anything. The current session of it that Hobo has has lasted around 14-15 hours and is still going on. Any idea what could have caused this? It happens frequently enough (to both rabbits) that it doesn’t seem like a disease. How long should I wait to call the vet? I haven’t called yet because I keep thinking that Hobo will get up and start munching. Hobo has also spent the last 14ish hours sleeping. Any information would be greatly appreciated. 

[Deleted User]

You need to bring them to the vet now! Stasis! 15 hours is quite a long time for them not to eat. spending 14 hours straight just sleeping also seems concerning. You don’t want them to go any longer not eating. And honestly, it’s not good if your rabbits do this often.

Has anything changed to cause additional stress around the times that they stop eating?

Do they seem to be more lethargic than usual?

When did they poop last?

Not eating is very bad!! Try giving pellet/water mashed up through a syringe. But they need to see a vet and soon!

[Wick & Fable]

Not eating for beyond 12 hrs is very concerning, hence the text at the very top of the forums: “BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!”

Something may be regularly blocking your rabbits’ digestive tracts, or there is something internally which causes them bouts of extreme discomfort that they do not eat. Your rabbits need to see a vet.

Attempt to syringe feed critical care and water.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Hobo Floof]

I came home after walking my dogs and Hobo was running around and eating lots of hay. He was still going poo during his no-food-hours. Also, nothing has changed over the past few days that would cause stress, and Peppermint (my other bun) was totally fine.

[Bam]

I would suspect gas, if it comes and goes like this. I’d try baby gas drops (simethicone) right away when a food-refusal bout starts. Gas is painful for a bun because they can’t burp, so the gas must pass through to the other end.

Then I’d try to figure out if there’s sth in their diet that isn’t agreeing with them. It could be pretty much anything, ranging from eating too little hay to a sensitivity to a particular food type. You could keep a feeding-diary to try and see if you can find a pattern.

14 hours is a long time, although he did poop meanwhile. If a bunny doesn’t eat and doesn’t poop, and simethicone drops don’t help, you shouldn’t wait more than 6-12 hours before contacting a vet.

[Deleted User]

Simethicone is a good go to.

Do you feed any gassy veggies, such as kale or broccoli? If it is just gas and they are routinely having episodes of not eating for 14 hours, you may be able to identify a cause in their diet.

As bam said though, it’s very important that you don’t let them go more than 12 hours maximum without eating.

[Hobo Floof]

They have never had any kale or broccoli. The vegetables that I regularly feed them are romaine lettuce, radicchio, belgian endive, coriander, parsley, dill, mint, carrot, parsnip, and celery. Are any of those gassy?

[sarahthegemini]

Your buns could have a sensitivity to any one of them even if the veg itself isn’t necessarily gassy. I would definitely try and see if you can pinpoint what’s causing these episodes. Try going back to basics, so one veggie for a few days and assess how they respond. Then try another etc.

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