Constipation is seen across many species, including rabbits. Constipation occurs when a rabbit has difficulty passing stools or experiences a significant slowdown in their normal bowel movements. A constipated rabbit will have reduced fecal output or produce smaller, harder droppings than usual.

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Rabbits produce two types of feces.

You should be familiar with your rabbit’s hard round droppings. These are what you see when you clean out your rabbit’s home environment and are completely normal. Rabbits generally produce a few hard droppings every hour.

Rabbits also produce a soft pellet called a cecotroph, which they generally pass in the evening. Your rabbit will ingest the cecotrophs to gain further nutrients from them. It is a natural behavior and important for their digestive tract health.

Rabbits with constipation may strain to pass droppings or produce fewer pellets than normal. It is important to monitor your rabbit’s feces. Rabbits normally produce feces every hour during the day.

When a rabbit is constipated, their feces may appear smaller, harder, or drier than usual. Your rabbit may still pass a reduced number of cecotrophs, but if they are uncomfortable or in pain, they may not ingest them and therefore their bottom may become messy. Diarrhea is rare in rabbits and therefore it is important to know what a cecotroph is to ensure you understand and can identify your rabbit’s health condition.

Your rabbit may have a reduced appetite, appear uncomfortable or bloated, their ears may be held closer to the body and their face may appear tighter with a wrinkle around the eye or their nostrils sitting higher than usual. Rabbits show signs of abdominal discomfort by hunching their body. They may also be more reluctant to move or be handled. Some rabbits will grind their teeth, appear weak and hold their head lower.

The most common cause is a diet low in fiber, which rabbits need for proper digestive function. Insufficient water intake can also lead to constipation, as water is essential for keeping the digestive system moving smoothly.

Other causes include anorexia, lack of exercise, obesity, impaired kidney function, dental problems that make it difficult to eat properly, stress, and underlying health conditions. Sometimes, ingested fur from grooming can create blockages, especially during shedding seasons or when living with other rabbits who excessively groom each other.

Your veterinarian will perform a clinical examination of your rabbit, paying special attention to their abdomen. They will ask about your rabbit's diet, water intake, and recent changes in behavior or environment. The veterinarian will feel your rabbit's stomach to check for any unusual firmness or discomfort. They may use their stethoscope to listen to the movement within their bowel. In some cases, X-rays or ultrasound may be recommended to rule out more serious conditions or to confirm the extent of the constipation and check for impaction.

Treatment for constipation typically begins with addressing the underlying cause. Your veterinarian may recommend dietary changes, such as increasing fiber intake through fresh hay and leafy green vegetables. Ideally your rabbit should have the opportunity to graze on grass every day. Ensuring proper hydration is crucial, offering your rabbit both a bowl and bottle can encourage them to drink more. Fruit and vegetables also contain more water than dry food for rabbits. In many constipation cases, the affected rabbit has only been given dry food pellets – it is important that rabbits are given hay and vegetables alongside their dry food and that the dry food isn’t supplied in excess. Suitable vegetables for rabbits include kale, wheatgrass, broccoli and green leaf lettuce.

If the constipation requires medical treatment, medications might be prescribed. Depending on the severity, their treatment may include:

• Prokinetic medication: to stimulate gut movement and boost appetite.
• Pain relief: constipation is uncomfortable, and therefore, following a clinical examination, your veterinarian may prescribe your rabbit with pain relief.
• Fluid therapy: if your rabbit is dehydrated or not eating, they will be placed onto drip to enable fluids to be given through a vein. The fluid will help their feces become softer and easier to pass.
• Syringe feeding: your veterinary team may decide to feed your rabbit via a syringe if they stop eating. Stasis/ileus (when the digestive system slows down and can stop entirely) is a serious condition in rabbits, and therefore it is important this is prevented.

Prevention is always better than treatment. Ensure your rabbit has unlimited access to fresh hay, which should make up about 80% of their diet. As rabbits can be fussy, it is recommended to provide a few different types of hay to ensure your rabbit eats a suitable amount. Provide fresh, clean water daily along with fresh vegetables.

Regular exercise is essential for healthy digestion - give your rabbit plenty of space to hop and play. Maintain a consistent grooming routine, especially during shedding seasons, to prevent excessive fur ingestion. Keep stress to a minimum by maintaining a regular routine and providing a quiet, comfortable environment.

If you notice your rabbit hasn't produced droppings for 8 hours or more, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. Other signs that warrant immediate veterinary attention include complete loss of appetite, obvious signs of pain or distress, lethargy, or significant changes in the size or shape of droppings. Constipation can quickly become serious in rabbits, so if you have any concerns, please contact your veterinarian. Stasis/ileus (when the digestive system slows down and can stop entirely) is a serious condition in rabbits, and should be treated as an emergency. If your rabbit stops eating, you must contact your veterinary surgeon immediately.

With proper treatment and preventive care, most rabbits recover well from constipation. However, it's important to address any underlying causes to prevent recurrence. Following your veterinarian's recommendations for diet and care will help ensure your rabbit maintains healthy digestive function. Regular monitoring of your rabbit's eating habits, activity levels, and dropping production will help you catch any potential problems early.