The Complete Guide to Rabbit Stool: What Healthy Droppings Should Look Like
If you’re a rabbit owner, you’ll know that your bunny’s droppings can tell you more than you might think. It’s not the most glamorous part of rabbit care, but it’s one of the most important. A rabbit’s digestive system is incredibly sensitive, and changes in their poo are often the first sign that something is off.
This guide will help you understand what healthy rabbit droppings should look like, what types of poo your rabbit produces, and when you should be concerned. Whether you're new to rabbit care or just looking to brush up, this is everything you need to know about rabbit stool health.
What Should Healthy Rabbit Poop Look Like?
Rabbits produce two types of droppings: regular faecal pellets and something called cecotropes. Let’s start with the pellets, since these are the ones you’ll be cleaning up every day.
Normal Rabbit Droppings
Healthy rabbit poop comes in the form of small, dry, round pellets. You should be seeing hundreds of them a day, often in neat little piles or scattered around their living space. These pellets are a great indicator that your rabbit’s digestive system is working properly.
Here’s what you’re looking for:
- Size and shape: Round, uniform, and about the size of a garden pea (roughly 5 to 7 millimetres in diameter)
- Texture: Dry and crumbly when you crush them, not sticky or squishy
- Colour: Usually a shade of brown, though it can vary depending on your rabbit’s diet
- Consistency: They should hold their shape and not fall apart unless pressed
- Frequency: Your rabbit should produce them consistently throughout the day
Changes in these pellets can be an early warning sign. Smaller, harder droppings may suggest dehydration or stress. Soft or misshapen droppings could point to dietary imbalances or digestive upset. If they’re strung together with fur, it usually means your rabbit is moulting and needs more fibre to keep things moving. If there are no droppings at all, or you spot actual diarrhoea, it’s time to call the vet.
Cecotropes: The Other Kind of Rabbit Poop
Now onto the type of droppings you rarely see. Cecotropes are soft, shiny, and look a bit like a bunch of grapes. They have a stronger smell than regular droppings and are packed full of nutrients, including essential vitamins and healthy bacteria.
Unlike regular poo, rabbits are supposed to eat their cecotropes directly from their bottom as soon as they’re produced. It might sound strange, but it’s completely normal and crucial for their health. This process allows them to absorb nutrients that weren’t fully digested the first time around.
If your rabbit is producing too many cecotropes, or you’re finding them squished into their fur or left around the hutch, it’s a sign that something is out of balance.
When Things Get Messy: Poopy Bottom and Sticky Cecotropes
Seeing uneaten cecotropes or a dirty rear end is not normal and usually suggests that your rabbit isn’t eating them as they should. This is often referred to as "poopy bottom" or "sticky bottom", and it’s not just unpleasant, it can lead to serious problems like flystrike.
Common causes include:
- A diet that’s too rich in pellets or sugary treats
- Not enough high-quality hay
- Obesity is making it difficult for the rabbit to reach and eat the cecotropes
- Dental problems, which can affect how well they chew their food or eat hay
- Limited mobility, often from arthritis or injury
- Ageing, which may cause softer or excess cecotropes
What to Do If Your Rabbit Has Cecotropes Issues
If your rabbit is struggling with cecotropes problems, the first thing to check is their diet. Rabbits need unlimited access to fresh, good-quality hay. It should make up at least 80 to 90 per cent of what they eat each day. Limit pellets to a small portion and keep treats to a minimum.
Make sure your rabbit’s environment is clean and comfortable. If their rear end is soiled, gently clean it with warm water and a soft cloth. Never use harsh shampoos or baby wipes, as these can irritate the skin.
If the problem continues or you notice signs of discomfort, weight loss, or a change in behaviour, speak to a rabbit-savvy vet. Sticky bottoms might be caused by something more serious that needs medical attention.
Why Hay is the Hero of Healthy Rabbit Digestion
If there’s one thing to take away from all this, it’s that hay is absolutely vital for your rabbit’s digestive health. It keeps everything moving through their system, helps them produce healthy droppings, and even prevents dental problems by naturally wearing down their teeth.
Feeding your rabbit high-fibre hay like timothy or orchard grass can make a huge difference to the quality of their poo, and their overall health. It’s the single most important part of their diet and should always be available.
Keep an Eye on the Evidence
Yes, rabbit poo is worth paying attention to. It might not be the cutest part of bunny care, but it’s one of the most useful ways to monitor your rabbit’s health at home. A quick daily check of the litter tray can help you spot changes early and take action before a small issue becomes a big one.
Make hay the foundation of your rabbit’s diet, offer plenty of fresh water, keep treats sensible, and observe their droppings daily. Healthy stool habits mean a healthy rabbit, and that means fewer vet visits, a happier bunny, and peace of mind for you.
At Nibble & Gnaw, we’re all about giving rabbits the best life possible. That starts with good nutrition and a little curiosity. Because when you understand what your rabbit’s telling you through their droppings, you’re already doing a brilliant job.