0
Cecotropes are important for baby rabbits because they contain essential nutrients and beneficial bacteria that help with digestion and overall health. By consuming cecotropes, baby rabbits can better absorb nutrients and maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which is crucial for their growth and development.
What else can I help you with?
Do rabbits have to be fed in the morning?
Yes. Rabbits should always have access to hay and water. The rest of a rabbit's diet should consist of fresh greens and high-quality pellets daily. Rabbits like best to eat in the morning and evening, and it's a good idea to separate their daily portions into two servings, so one meal in the morning and one meal in the evening is widely recommended.
What else do rabbits eat besides feces?
Rabbits don't really eat feces, they eat cecotropes; otherwise, a healthy pet rabbit diet consists mostly of hay, fresh water, some high-quality pellets daily, and some fresh greens daily. See the related questions below for more details and helpful links.
What does it mean if your rabbit has many cecotropes?
No matter how often they seem to be eating cecotropes, if your rabbit is eating them all and you're not finding any left over, there's nothing to worry about! Rabbits eat cecotropes so they can get the full nutritional value from their food.If you're finding cecotropes left over, though, something's not right. If it only happens once, make a note of it and mention it to your vet at your next regular appointment. It could have just been passing stress or anxiety.If it keeps happening for more than a day or two, something is wrong, and you should call your vet, explain the problem and maybe go in for a special appointment.Perhaps your rabbit is over-producing cecotropes because his diet is too rich in protein and fat. In that case, you should adjust his diet: more hay, less pellets (and possibly find a higher-quality pellet that's lower in fats and protein), less fruits and sugary veggies (these are treat foods), and more fresh greens (like Romaine lettuce, basil, and cilantro).Perhaps your rabbit is unable to reach his cecotropes. In that case, your rabbit may be too obese and needs to go on a diet. Diets can be dangerous with rabbits, so you should speak with your special, rabbit-savvy vet. Or, your rabbit might have mobility problems (due to an injury, or arthritis, or "head tilt," or something like that). Mobility problems could be very, very serious, so bring him to a vet and find out for sure what's going on.
Can Baby's eat watermelon?
No, baby rabbits can't eat any fruit -- especially one as sugary and water as watermelon. See the related question below for more info about the baby rabbit diet.
Is there a diet for rabbits?
I don't think there is.
Do rabbits eat eggplant as part of their diet?
No, rabbits do not typically eat eggplant as part of their diet. Their diet mainly consists of hay, fresh vegetables, and some fruits.
Do cats eat rabbits as part of their natural diet?
Yes, cats are natural predators and may hunt and eat rabbits as part of their diet.
What age do baby rabbits poop and pee without their mother having to lick them?
Baby rabbits wean between 4 and 6 weeks. "Weaning" is when the baby gradually stops drinking mother's milk, and starts feeding itself. See the related question below for more info about the baby rabbit diet.
Why is bunny poop smelly?
Rabbit feces isn't smelly: it comes out in dry, hard balls, and unless you put your nose right up against it, you won't smell anything. Rabbits have two kinds of droppings: feces, and cecotropes. Cecotropes are smaller than feces and they're mushy. Sometimes they're found in singles, and sometimes they're stuck together in a grape formation. Normally, rabbits eat their cecotropes directly from the anus and you never see them. (This is a form of re-ingestion, like cows chewing the cud.) Every once in awhile you might find a spare cecotrope. However, if you're finding cecotropes every day, and/or they're stuck in your rabbit's fur, and/or if they're as big as regular feces, that's a sign that something is wrong. Your rabbit may be sick, or you may be feeding him the wrong diet, so you should bring him to a vet with experience and knowledge in treating rabbits. Rabbit urine can be very smelly, especially if the rabbit isn't spayed/neutered (because the sex hormones come out in the urine), and especially if it sits around for awhile (because it will build ammonia). A rabbit's litter should be cleaned out every day or two. If urine is left to sit, it develops ammonia which isn't healthy for anyone, rabbits or humans: it can damage the nasal passages.
What will happen if you keep the baby rabbits?
If you have already taken in wild baby rabbits, chances are very high that their mother will not take them back. Mother rabbits will abandon their young if the baby bunnies, smell of human rather than rabbit. Baby rabbits can be fed warm cream using miniature baby bottles, if need be. Place the baby rabbit on its back, as this is the way it would be suckling from its mother, and place the nipple of the bottle in front of its mouth. Please note: It is best to leave wild life of any kind alone, the best thing to do for the safety of animals taken in from the wild, is to call animal services.
When your mother rabbit has babies what do you give her in order to get back her strength?
Pregnant and nursing rabbits benefit from a diet slightly higher in fat and protein than other adult rabbits. For this reason, alfalfa hay is often recommended for mother rabbits instead of the usual grass hay. You might also choose a pellet specially developed for pregnant/nursing rabbits and/or baby rabbits.
Do wild rabbits eat blueberries?
Yes, wild rabbits can eat blueberries as part of their diet.
