Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why is my rabbit's pee thick and yellow? Is it a health issue?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Small Animal | Rabbit | Female | 4 lbs

I recently got a rabbit that is two years old. Today I noticed that her pee was very yellow and very thick. Is this a problem and if so how can I fix it?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 27th, 2016

Rabbit pee is often thick and deep yellow, however it should flow freely. If not, then your rabbit may have bladder sludge (usually comprised of calcium salts, it appears sandy or gritty). I the urine is sludgy you will need to take Luna to a vet. Make sure Luna has plenty of fresh water available at all times. Make sure she has plenty of exercise. Here is some really good information: http://www.rabbit.org/health/urolith.html

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Ana M, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 30th, 2018
Thank you for submitting your question Binky. It would definitely be good to have her evaluated on Monday. Her veterinarian will likely test a urine sample on her. Based on your description, she may be dehydrated. Be sure to encourage her to drink more water of the next 24 hours. You can try to off small amounts with a syringe or change her water bottle out more frequently. Keep her cool as well with all of the recent heat across most of the country. Rabbits can also experience bladder stones so x-rays may be recommend based on her urine results. In this case, the rabbit is typically straining to urinate and going outside of the litterbox. I hope this information helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Why is my rabbit's urine milky white? Is it a health concern?

Hello there! Rabbit urine can be a rainbow of colors and still be normal. Rabbits excrete a large amount of minerals in their urine, like calcium, which can be whitish in color. Their urine also changes color based on what they eat - for example, a rabbit that eats a lot of carrot or sweet potato in a day will have dark orange colored urine. Milky white urine is probably nothing to worry about, but if Blacky is exhibiting any other symptoms (like anorexia or diarrhea), or you see any mucous-like substances or red streaking (potentially blood) in the urine, be sure to visit your vet right away. I hope this helps, and good luck with Blacky!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My new rabbit has milky yellow discharge. Is it pee or diarrhea?

That appears to be urine. The feces next to it appears normal. Rabbit urine can be cloudy and may range in color from white to red. If she is behaving normally otherwise, monitor for lethargy or loss of appetite. Since she is "new" to you, consider an exam with your veterinarian to confirm good health or to diagnose and treat any pre-existing conditions.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My bunny's pee looks cloudy. What's the reason and how to fix it?

If your bunny's urine is milky/cloudy, that means she has more calcium in her diet than her body can use. The underlying cause is consuming too much alfalfa hay or pellets. If you are feeding alfalfa hay or pellets I suggest you stop feeding that and switch to timothy or orchard grass hay (or a combination thereof). Hay should make up the majority of the diet and she should be getting very little pellets. I don't know what brand of diet you are feeding but I suggest you use Oxbow: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/oxbow-14-oz-simple-reward-timothy-treat https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/oxbow-2-oz-smple-rewards-cranberry Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My rabbit has rust-colored urine. Is it normal or cause for concern?

Normal rabbit urine often reflects their diet and comes in many colors of red-orange-yellow and is not of major concern unless there are obvious blood clots, discomfort when urinating or altered thirst/fever.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my rabbit peeing brown? Is this a serious health concern?

It could be that Lusi is experiencing bladder infection, and that the brown color of his urine is due to blood. I would have him seen by a vet first thing in the morning for a physical exam and urinalysis to diagnose what is causing his urine to be brown so he can be treated.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My rabbit's urine is milky and cloudy with particles. Is this normal?

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It is very normal for rabbits to have "milky urine" as they excrete a significant amount of calcium in their urine. It is also not unusual for their urine to be red-tinged, as a result of the porphyrins and plant pigments they excrete in their urine. I hope this is helpful!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Why is my female rabbit's urine muddy, losing weight, not eating?

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I have noticed that you listed Ms. Bunny as unspayed. Unspayed female rabbits are at a very high risk of cancer of the uterus, so I would be very worried about that as a possibility for the weight loss. The muddy urine could also be due to high calcium in her diet leading to calcium build-up in the urine. This can cause rabbits to have sludgy urine. It is important to get this checked right away. Your vet will try to empty out the bladder, increase the fluid intake, and get a better diet that is lower in calcium. I would suggest having her seen by your vet and discuss her diet, get a urine sample, and check out her uterus. Best of luck with Ms. Bunny.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share