Rabbit Urine

[BekahRabbit]

Hi there,

I've just introduced my rabbit to veg this week, which he's loving. I have started with one veg, spring cabbage, and he seems to be loving it. He gets about a cup a day.

The only thing I'd ask though is that his urine is now much darker and is resulting with that white chalky stuff. It's not thick, but definitely more than there was before. Is that as a result of the veg? Is that something to be worried about? He is also drinking less and it is much warmer!

Thanks - feeling a little anxious!

 

[BekahRabbit]

Here's a picture if that helps!

 

[BekahRabbit]

That did come through newspaper - so who knows how that would have changed it!

 

[Blue eyes]

I'm not seeing anything chalky. If there was newspaper on top of that paper towel, then any chalky residue would probably be up on the newspaper.
How old is he and what else does he eat? Cabbage can cause gas in rabbits, so I'd be cautious with feeding it too often. (Some rabbits are fine with it.) As you expand his diet, try looking for more leafy greens and herbs -- red or green leaf lettuce, basil, coriander, mint, etc.

 

[BekahRabbit]

Hi! Thanks for replying There was some dried white on the newspaper - but nothing that's unusual, not much but a little. Is that bad? He's had that from day one really!

He's just under a year - he eats a lot of timothy hay, one oxbow stomach tablet a day, a bowl of fresh cut green grass (he can't be out in the garden sadly) and 30g pellets a day. That's about it What do you think?

 

[Blue eyes]

You're welcome. There should be some residue/sediments in a rabbit's urine. Sludge, which is what I believe you are concerned about, is quite thick. The following link has photos that shows the difference.
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Uro_gen_diseases/generalities/Sludge.htm
What type of pellets (brand) do you use? Do you offer other greens (beside cut grass)?

Mine are indoors all the time, so nothing wrong with that.

 

[BekahRabbit]

Thanks - it doesn't look like that, phew!!! I use Pets at Home adult nuggets, it's what they recommend (I adopted him from their adoption shop ) - are they good? And umm, occasionally some herbs and celery but I was told not to give him any until he was at least one. What would you recommend? Thanks!

 

[Blue eyes]

It is fine to start feeding greens to rabbits over 12 weeks of age. No need to wait until 1 year of age. You can see how to introduce greens safely here. (Be sure that celery is sliced or the long strands can get tangled in their gut.)
https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/greens--veggies.html
The Pets at Home nuggets aren't too bad but there are better options. The ones you have are alfalfa-based rather than timothy and the fibre is a bit low. Here's a UK based chart that offers some other options. If you decide to switch brands, just be sure to do it gradually by mixing the old with the new over a week or two.
Rabbit Food Comparision - Brand, Type, Nutritional Analysis

 

[BekahRabbit]

That’s so helpful! Thank you. I will switch to Burgess or select I think as they’re all green and they have that in Pets at Home too!! Is it okay to finish the bag of nuggets I have?

 

[BekahRabbit]

(Obviously I’ll leave enough to mix but I have 2kg left! Oh dear...)