Ok What Are Cecals

[Mindy10]

I read what cecals are but how does bunny eat them if they have a cage with a tray under them. They cant get to them. I have not seen my bunny have any yet but I have only had her for a week now. Is it something i should be looking for? If I see some while im cleaning the cage am i supose to give them to her? Mindy

 

[missyscove]

Don't worry that you're not seeing them, your rabbit should consume them directly from her anus. (gross to think about, but we're humans so we don't really get it)
Sometimes if something is off in their diet or after a sudden diet change, your rabbit will produce more than they need to eat and you might start seeing them in her cage. Obese rabbits or rabbits with medical conditions that prevent them from reaching their butts also might not eat theirs. They have a much stronger smell than normal fecal pellets and a distinctive appearance, kind of like a blackberry. I've never seen a rabbit eat a cecal off of a surface so she probably wouldn't eat one you offered her, but every bunny is different.

 

[MiniLopHop]

Cecals are how rabbits get important nutrients, like B vitamins. In the rabbit's digestive system they have a blank tube, like our appendix, where the smaller pieces of food go and are further digested by bacteria. Then, usually early morning hours while we are still sleeping, they will pass the cecals and eat them directly. Somehow the rabbit knows the difference. It's important that you let your rabbit do this so they get the nutrients even though you might find it gross.

My guess is that your rabbit is still getting the cecals because they are eaten directly (looks like they are grooming their lower bellies) rather than falling, turning, eating. If you find a more elongated, REALLY SMELLY, soft poo then that is it. If the diet is too rich they may produce more cecals than they eat. This would be a clue to cut back on pellets and other rich foods.

Most rabbits will not accept hand-fed cecals. This can be an issue if they are in an e-collar that prevents them from reaching. That would be the only case I can think of that you would even try it. Hope this helps.

 

[LaylaLop]

I noticed a few cecals in my new bunny's cage as well. I've been slowly introducing a new food to her old food, and I think that along with a home change is enough stress. I have seen her eat some though off the ground, so I'm not too concerned about the excess "caviar"..

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Some of ours eat them directly so we never see them, thank you. But others don't eat them at all. Guess it depends on the bunny.