Friday, May 14, 2010

Why does my rabbit eat her fresh droppings?

I have a female ';mix breed'; rabbit. She lives in a large hutch outside and one day ';its kinda gross'; but she was eating her really fresh droppings ';ewe!';. So why did she doe this? should i worry? is she okay? or should i change her diet?Why does my rabbit eat her fresh droppings?
It's normal and desirable. What she is eating are her cecotropes. Basically it is not true feces, but a mass of nutrients that didn't get absorbed the first time around, with beneficial bacteria and fungi that are vital for proper digestion For more information about bunny poop, what's normal and what isn't, take a look here: http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/poop.htmlWhy does my rabbit eat her fresh droppings?
Rabbits have been known to display the behavior of copraphagy, or eating their own feces. This usually happens when an animals digestive tract does not fully digest their food, and they eat their feces to get a second chance at the nutrients within it. Its very normal, and nothing to worry about.
Rabbits always eat their own droppings - usually fresh droppings. This is perfectly normal because a rabbit does not digest all of the value of what is eaten at first go and thus the droppings are of considerable value as a food resource.





This link below will help explain more about the rabbit and it's life style and habits etc.





http://www.fao.org/docrep/t0690e/t0690e0鈥?/a>
Rabbits have special droppings that they eat right as they leave called cecotropes. They basically eat their food a second time, as they do not get all of the nutrients the first time around. As long as you don't see a giant pile of these special droppings, there shouldn't be anything to worry about.
It's normal. They're called cecotropes. It's got beneficial properties for them. Think of it as yogurt for rabbits.





Our beloved rabbit passed away in late January. See:





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U5PUy2LI鈥?/a>





and





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PanG0VF8鈥?/a>





*


*


*
Its totally normal. because there food isnt digested fully, they double eat there food. all rabbits do it. it's nothing to worry about. because the food is already partially broken down, they can digest more on the second time round.
if you feed them too much fresh fruit and veg they can't digest it properly, so they eat it again to gain all the nutrients, same as gorillas do. you obviously didn't do your research before taking on the pet
It's normal :)





Due to their digestive system, the food they eat is pooped out and then they eat it for the nutrients :) disgusting... but good their health !





http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_it_normal_f鈥?/a>





hope i helped ! x
I also got 3 rabbits... that normal. sometimes one of my rabbit did it too... maybe it was hungry.. try giving it a cabbage or corn. (My rabbit loved them) You should dont worry though it will be fine! =)
its normal, sometimes its good for their digestion, dont worry its normal for rabbits and guinea pigs do it too!
it could be mal nutriton change her diet add ruffages (carrots alfalfa hay)

No comments:

Post a Comment