My bunny has loose stools and won't drink water. What diet helps?

For now, stop feeding anything but hay or timothy hay pellets. Provide water or unflavored PediaLyte to prevent dehydration. Keep his bottom clean and dry. Keep his cage clean and decrease or eliminate any negative stimuli. Severe diarrhea can be deadly in rabbits, so it is important to have Gabi examined by your veterinarian as soon as possible. A rabbit's diet should be at least 80% timothy hay or similar grasses. They require a high fiber diet to maintain gut health. Limit vegetables ( 2 cups per 6lbs daily) and pellets ( 1/8 cup per 6lbs daily) to prevent obesity. Fruit should be given only occasionally if at all.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Loss of appetite and lack of drinking can be observed with many conditions such as gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, kidney disease, pancreatitis, among many other possibilities. I recommend that you have Walter evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and others depending on the findings on exam. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a great day! Hoping for a speedy recovery! 


Rabbits have a very sensitive GI system. Some causes for loose/wet stools: * internal parasites (worms) * colitis * dietary indiscretion (ate a food she that was new to her) * stress Those are just a few reasons. My suggestion is to start her on a probiotic and if there is no change or the condition worsens then she will need to see a vet. You must use a probiotic made for rabbits like this one: ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/PETS-Dolfos-Probiotic-Beta-Glucan-Digestion/dp/B07CW64WMF/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=probiotic+rabbit&qid=1554727747&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1 ) Be sure her diet is 100% correct (mostly hay and minimal pellets) and don't introduce any new foods for the next few weeks. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

A rabbit that is not eating or drinking should be seen by an exotic species veterinarian as soon as possible. She is at risk of developing dehydration and GI stasis which can lead to death. Until your appointment, you can try offering fresh, dark, leafy greens (kale, collards, etc) and other palatable greens, like cilantro, parsley, carrot top greens, to encourage her to eat. You can also soak rabbit pellets in water to make a slurry and carefully feed that to your rabbit via a syringe (baby dosing syringes can be bought in drug stores and discount stores). Make sure fresh Timothy hay and water is available. Carefully syringe feeding an electrolye replacement solution, like Pedialyte, can help with dehydration. http://myhouserabbit.com/rabbit-health/gi-stasis-in-rabbits-a-deadly-condition/

Discontinue lettuce and bananas. Either may contribute to soft or loose stool. Limit pellets and feed as much timothy hay or similar grasses as Stanley wants to eat. Rabbits will produce two types of droppings, with one being softer which they will reingest to extract nutrients. If the soft stool persists or worsens or if Stanley stops eating, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating rabbits.

Your bunny was probably just used to eating the lettuce and is adjusting to his new diet. You did the right thing by offering him only the pellets and hay. This is what is most beneficial to him. Since his stools are normal I would not worry at this point. If he stops passing stools, stops eating, or if you suspect he is losing weight, then you should take him to the veterinarian to be checked out. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Loose stools in rabbits is a very severe sign, you must take her to the vet ASAP in order to get it treated, failure to do so will most probably lead to her death very soon. loose stools are usually caused by a gastrointestinal infection and requires antibiotic treatment as well as a special fiber supplement.