Rabbit is eating but not drinking

Ruth said:

I think wetting lettuce and other things like herbs is a fine idea. I had a bunny go through GI-Stasis and that was the only way to get liquid into her. I tried critical care in a syringe and it stressed her out too much.
Has anything changed in her diet recently? It sounds like something might be stressing her out.
I would keep an eye on her. But if she's running around normally and not hiding or hunching she will probably be okay. You can check her belly to see if she is gassy though. Sorry I can't offer too much help.

Click to expand...

asiamkl said:

But i read that usually if they’re stressed their poop will go back to normal in a few hours which hasn’t happened. I gave her some more wet lettuce for her normal dinner, and she’s been getting plenty of exercise! I’ve noticed lately that she’s been grinding her teeth when she lays down.

Click to expand...

JBun said:

Provided this isn't happening because you're feeding a lot of wet veggies and your rabbit is getting adequate fluids from that and that's the cause of the reduced drinking (unlikely with there being significantly reduced poop size), the likely causes are usually going to be a problem with the water or a health issue.

Though a sudden change in the rabbits environment or life, like a new pet in the house, predators lurking around, noisy environment, or other stressors, can also affect a rabbits eating and drinking. So you need to evaluate if there might be something causing your rabbit to be unusually stressed. Though typically if stress was the cause, eating would also be affected.

Sometimes rabbits can be picky about the taste of their water and any sudden changes to it. Has anything about your water changed, like change of home, new source of water, from a well? Even with no change of source it could happen, like with changes to how it tastes from the chemicals added in city water, or changes in well water and especially if any harmful bacteria growth has happened.

I would suggest maybe trying some bottled spring water. You could try a few different types, and if your rabbit still won't drink very well, it's possible there's another cause like a health issue. Pain from a dental problem is one possible common cause for this. Bladder issues like a UTI and bladder sludge, or kidney stones or disease, are some other possible causes.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Urine

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Bladder_sludge_and_stones

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/urolithiasis-urinary-sludge-and-stones/

You'll also need to very closely monitor eating, as a rabbit not drinking well will also not be able to eat very much. And this can cause a slowdown of digestive motility, which you're seeing with the decreased poop size. Too much of a slowdown and you risk GI stasis setting in. Which if this happens, you won't have a choice but to immediately get your rabbit seen by a rabbit vet for treatment, sub q fluids, and meds. So you may need to help supplement your rabbits water intake temporarily. Syringing anything needs to be done carefully and slowly to reduce risks of aspirating. If in doubt, consult with a knowledgeable rabbit vet.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Gastrointestinal_stasis

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Veterinary_emergencies

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Choosing_a_rabbit_veterinarian

Click to expand...

JBun said:

Provided this isn't happening because you're feeding a lot of wet veggies and your rabbit is getting adequate fluids from that and that's the cause of the reduced drinking (unlikely with there being significantly reduced poop size), the likely causes are usually going to be a problem with the water or a health issue.

Though a sudden change in the rabbits environment or life, like a new pet in the house, predators lurking around, noisy environment, or other stressors, can also affect a rabbits eating and drinking. So you need to evaluate if there might be something causing your rabbit to be unusually stressed. Though typically if stress was the cause, eating would also be affected.

Sometimes rabbits can be picky about the taste of their water and any sudden changes to it. Has anything about your water changed, like change of home, new source of water, from a well? Even with no change of source it could happen, like with changes to how it tastes from the chemicals added in city water, or changes in well water and especially if any harmful bacteria growth has happened.

I would suggest maybe trying some bottled spring water. You could try a few different types, and if your rabbit still won't drink very well, it's possible there's another cause like a health issue. Pain from a dental problem is one possible common cause for this. Bladder issues like a UTI and bladder sludge, or kidney stones or disease, are some other possible causes.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Urine

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Bladder_sludge_and_stones

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/urolithiasis-urinary-sludge-and-stones/

You'll also need to very closely monitor eating, as a rabbit not drinking well will also not be able to eat very much. And this can cause a slowdown of digestive motility, which you're seeing with the decreased poop size. Too much of a slowdown and you risk GI stasis setting in. Which if this happens, you won't have a choice but to immediately get your rabbit seen by a rabbit vet for treatment, sub q fluids, and meds. So you may need to help supplement your rabbits water intake temporarily. Syringing anything needs to be done carefully and slowly to reduce risks of aspirating. If in doubt, consult with a knowledgeable rabbit vet.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Gastrointestinal_stasis

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Veterinary_emergencies

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Choosing_a_rabbit_veterinarian

Click to expand...

asiamkl said:

Now that i’m checking out the Gi stasis wiki link, i didn’t realize how similar her symptoms were, would you think that her drinking water is a good sign? Can these things go away on their own? I know i’ll be calling a vet as well, but i think i stated in my original post that actually going to a vet would be super tricky right now, and since she’s going in about a week. I do want the best for her.

Click to expand...

asiamkl said:

My bun Mia is 5 1/2 months, and she is free roam, but right now i have her put up. She usually always drinks her water throughout the day, in a bowl that’s inside of her cage. I only put her up while i’m sleeping, but right now she’s in there because we don’t have any syringes, and i really need her to drink. Her poop is smaller than usual, very consistent small poops. She’s been eating, she ate her breakfast, and when i noticed that she hadn’t been drinking (her water bowl was still full from last night), i gave her a piece of lettuce that i ran through some water, she ate that. We have absolutely no way to get to a vet, there are no rabbit vets here unless i go an hour or more away, and we don’t have money for it. I’m taking her to the vet on the 14th for a spay, when i do have the money, and it’s just SO close to the date, is she okay? I know sometimes rabbits just don’t drink water, but it’s unusual for her because she always drinks her water, and her poop is small. What can I do?? I’m worried sick. I’ve also tried putting some water in a smaller, flatter bowl and putting it in front of her, she acknowledged it but didn’t dri

Click to expand...

New2RabbitsDonna63 said:

You didn't mention Timothy hay as the major source of her diet.
Does her diet consist of 80 percent hay?

Click to expand...

Ruth said:

Honestly if she isn't hunching and trying to hide more than usual but is running around and interacting with you she will probably be fine. And if she's drinking water now she'll probably be alright. I always have to remind myself that sometimes I personally don't want to drink water or eat as much and I'm fine. It's not always the case but it's good to remind yourself that not every time this kind of things happens they are ill.
I'm not sure your bunny has GI-Stasis, and if she does it is mild enough that I wouldn't bring her in. Just a bit more extra attention and love and she will probably be fine. As said previously dental issues could be the cause or a UTI. But I don't know much about that because I've never seen it before. If she's back to her normal habits, I would just monitor her for a few days before deciding to bring her in but that's my personal preference.

Click to expand...

JBun said:

Maybe try a different type of bowl. Maybe she doesn't like that bowl for some reason. Maybe a spider was crawling on it and spooked her, who knows, but it can't hurt anything to try.

Since she'll take water from a syringe no problem, I'd keep giving it regularly, until you can get this figured out. It may at least help prevent dehydration and GI stasis from setting in.

Click to expand...