How Often Do Rabbits Eat Their Poop?

Rabbits are interesting creatures. They are known for being clean and tidy animals, but they also have rather unique dietary habits.

One of the things that rabbits do is eat their own poop. But do they really have to eat it? And how often do rabbits eat their poop?

In the morning or late at night, you may see your rabbit eating its own feces at least once a day. This is actually part of the rabbit’s natural digestive process. When a rabbit eats its own poop, it is able to extract more nutrients from its food. 

While it may seem gross to us, eating poop is perfectly natural for rabbits. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at why rabbits eat their own poop.

How Often Do Rabbits Eat Their Poop

Rabbits typically eat their poop one to three times a day. However, some rabbits may eat their poop more often if they are not getting enough nutrients from their diet.

Most rabbits eat their poop(cecotropes) right after they poop. They may consume their cecotropes at other times throughout the day.

As crepuscular animals, rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk. So, you may see your rabbit eating its poop during these times.

Should I Stop My Rabbit From Eating Poop

There is no need to stop your rabbit from eating poop. It is a natural and healthy part of their diet. However, you should take steps to ensure that your rabbit is eating a balanced diet.

A diet that is high in fiber will help keep your rabbit’s digestive system healthy and may even reduce rabbits’ behavior eat their poop. Your rabbit can eat pumpkin as a part of their diet because they are rich in fiber and vitamins.

You can solve this problem by offering your rabbit a variety of fresh vegetables and adding more hay to their diet.

You should make sure that your rabbit has access to clean water at all times. Water helps to keep the digestive system moving and prevents constipation. A water bottle (Amazon link) is the best way to give your rabbit fresh water.

In addition, encourage your rabbit to exercise by providing them with a safe place to run and play. Exercise is important for keeping the digestive system moving and helps to reduce boredom in rabbits.

Can Rabbits Get Sick From Eating Their Poop

The main concern with rabbits eating their poop is that they eat the right type of stool. They should only eat cecotropes or night feces, as these are softer and contain more nutrients. 

Rabbits make two types of poop: cecotropes and fecal pellets. Cecotropes are soft and black. Fecal pellets are the dry, hard pellets that are commonly seen in a rabbit’s litter box.

Another concern is that rabbits may eat their own poop out of boredom. If a rabbit isn’t getting enough exercise or stimulation, it may start to nibble on its own poo as a way to relieve boredom. This can lead to digestive problems and an unhealthy obsession with eating feces.

Why Do Rabbits Eat Their Poop

Coprophagia, or the consumption of feces, is a normal behavior for rabbits. It’s how they extract nutrients from their food and keep their digestive system healthy. 

In order for their digestive system to start working properly, they need to eat cecotropes. Cecotropes are soft, moist, and full of essential nutrients that help the rabbit’s digestive system function properly.

These feces also contains more vitamin B and protein than regular pellets. When rabbits eat their poop, it is actually re-digesting food that they have already eaten. This ensures that they get the maximum benefit from their food.

Do Baby Bunnies Eat Their Poop

Baby bunnies will start to eat their poop around 3-4 weeks old. This is when they are old enough to start eating solid food.

Without solid food, their digestive system will not work properly and they will not be able to extract all the nutrients they need from their food. 

Newborn bunnies rely on their mother’s milk for nutrition. Once they are a bit older and their digestive system has matured, they can start to eat such as hay, pellets, and vegetables. At this point, they will also start to eat their own feces.

Do Baby Bunnies Eat Their Moms Poop

Baby bunnies will eat their mom’s cecotropes to get extra nutrients. Cecotropes are packed with fiber and other nutrients that help a bunny’s digestive system function properly. 

When baby bunnies are born, their eyes are closed and they are completely dependent on their mother for food.

The mother’s milk is very rich and provides everything the baby needs for the first few weeks of life. A comprehensive guide on caring for your baby rabbits will help with what you should and shouldn’t do with your pet.

At 10 days old, their eyes open and they start to explore their surroundings a little bit more. Around this time, they will start to eat their mother’s cecotropes.

Wrap Up

So, how often do rabbits eat their poop? It depends on the rabbit, but most will do it at least once a day. This behavior helps them stay healthy and digest their food properly. 

In the wild, rabbits mostly eat grass and other plants, which are hard to digest. This is why they develop behavior like coprophagy. The rabbits eat their poop so they can get all the nutrients they need from their food.