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Rabbits have very sensitive digestive systems and are prone to diarrhoea (scours). Baby rabbits are particularly prone to a condition called Mucoid Enteritis and is nearly always fatal. The rabbit starts passing clear or yellowish mucous from it's back passage, may not eat very much and spends much of it's time crouched by it's water bottle or in a corner. You may also notice the rabbit grinding it's teeth, this can be a sign of pain. Dehydration and death often occurs within 5 days and treatment is generally unsuccessful. Sadly, this condition is found in many baby rabbits purchased from Pet Stores because of the extreme stress they have undergone in being separated from their mothers, sent to the pet store with unfamiliar food, and then on to their new home with yet another change of feed.
Rabbits require a high fibre, low protein feed to prevent digestive problems. Our personal preference is Rabbit Herbs & Fibre from The Natural Petfood Company.
Good quality hay and/or dried grass (such as Spillers Readigrass) must always be available to maintain healthy teeth and a healthy digestive system. Ready prepared feeds provide all your rabbits dietary needs, along with fresh fruit and vegetables (greenstuffs), but do not give potatoes (they have toxic parts) or lettuce (can cause diarrhoea). Extra vitamins and salt licks are not generally required.
Changes in diet must be made slowly (greenstuffs and prepared feeds) over a period of a couple of weeks, to avoid digestive upsets.
Fresh water MUST be available at all times and renewed daily.
To enable your rabbit to extract as much protein, vitamins and minerals from their food as possible, they digest their food twice. They do this by eating their own caecal pellets. These are soft, kidney shaped droppings which are covered in a small amount of mucous. These droppings are very different from the dry round droppings that you will usually see your rabbit passing.
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