A rabbit refusing food, medically termed anorexia, signals an immediate medical emergency requiring prompt veterinary intervention. Unlike many other mammals, a rabbit’s digestive system is designed to process a nearly constant intake of high-fiber material to function correctly. Interrupting this continuous flow quickly destabilizes their complex and fragile gut environment.
Without the regular mechanical stimulation from chewing and swallowing fiber, the muscular contractions that move food through the intestines slow down or stop completely. This rapid decline means that a period of not eating lasting only 12 to 24 hours can be fatal due to cascading effects on the digestive and metabolic systems. Owners must recognize this symptom as requiring immediate attention from a specialized veterinary professional.
Gastrointestinal Stasis: The Immediate Danger
The cessation of appetite almost immediately leads to gastrointestinal (GI) stasis, or ileus, the dangerous slowing or stopping of gut motility. When necessary high-fiber material is absent, beneficial bacteria in the cecum die off. This allows harmful bacteria, such as Clostridium species, to rapidly proliferate, a state called dysbiosis.
These pathogenic bacteria ferment remaining gut contents, producing large amounts of painful gas that cause severe abdominal discomfort and bloating. The resulting gas pressure inhibits the already weakened muscles of the intestinal wall, further exacerbating the stasis in a dangerous cycle. The pain from this bloating is often so intense that it completely suppresses any desire the rabbit might have to eat.
In response to the lack of energy, the rabbit mobilizes fat reserves quickly. This sudden mobilization can overwhelm the liver, causing hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease). Hepatic lipidosis is a serious complication of anorexia that significantly worsens the prognosis.
Owners can observe several outward signs of GI stasis beyond refusing food. The rabbit may adopt a hunched posture, pressing its abdomen to the floor to relieve pressure. Fecal pellets often become dramatically reduced in size and number, appearing small, dry, and misshapen, or they may cease entirely. A lethargic demeanor and reduced responsiveness indicate severe distress requiring urgent treatment.
Internal Physical Causes (Dental Disease and Pain)
One frequent physical reason a rabbit stops eating is underlying dental disease. A rabbit’s incisors and cheek teeth (molars and premolars) are aradicular hypsodont teeth, meaning they grow continuously, sometimes as much as three to five millimeters per week. This constant growth requires continuous grinding action from chewing hay to keep the teeth worn down evenly.
If the diet lacks sufficient abrasive fiber, or if there is a genetic malocclusion, the teeth do not align properly. This uneven wear causes sharp, jagged enamel points, known as spurs, to form on the edges of the cheek teeth. These sharp projections lacerate the sensitive tissues of the tongue and cheeks, causing intense pain.
The resulting oral pain makes chewing and swallowing virtually impossible, leading to a complete refusal of food, even though the rabbit may approach the food bowl. Addressing this requires specialized veterinary care, often involving filing or burring the spurs under sedation or anesthesia, as simple trimming is ineffective for cheek teeth. This pain, regardless of its source, often triggers secondary GI stasis.
Beyond dental issues, various sources of systemic pain can suppress appetite and initiate the cascade toward stasis. Conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs) or bladder stones cause significant discomfort, leading the rabbit to refuse food. Hidden injuries, such as spinal pain resulting from a fall or awkward jump, also induce enough stress and pain to shut down gut motility.
Environmental and Nutritional Triggers
The primary nutritional trigger for anorexia and subsequent GI issues is a diet deficient in long-strand, high-quality hay. Hay, such as timothy or orchard grass, must form the bulk of a rabbit’s diet, providing the necessary fiber to stimulate gut motility and wear down the teeth. Relying heavily on commercial pellets or sugary treats does not provide the abrasive fiber needed for mechanical stimulation, leading to sluggish gut movement.
A sudden change in food type can also upset the sensitive microbial balance in the cecum, causing a temporary refusal to eat. Sudden or prolonged environmental stress triggers the release of catecholamines and corticosteroids. These hormones divert energy away from non-essential functions like digestion, physically shutting down the movement of the digestive tract.
Common external stressors include the introduction of a new pet, loud and sudden noises, or moving the rabbit’s enclosure to an unfamiliar location. Extreme changes in temperature, particularly overheating, can also cause significant distress and lead to a lack of appetite. The loss of a bonded partner or prolonged isolation can also induce stress-related anorexia in sensitive individuals.
Immediate Steps and Emergency Veterinary Care
When a rabbit stops eating, the immediate action is to contact an exotic animal veterinarian, as the situation is time-sensitive. While arranging transportation, owners should perform basic triage. Check the rabbit’s body temperature; the normal range is 101°F to 103°F. A temperature below 100°F indicates hypothermia and requires immediate external warming.
Assess hydration by gently tenting the skin on the back; slow return indicates dehydration. Before calling the veterinary office, gather essential information, including the last time the rabbit ate, the last time it passed fecal pellets, and the nature of the pellets. This information is valuable for the veterinary team in preparing for the examination and treatment plan.
While waiting for the appointment, supportive care can be initiated to maintain body temperature with a safe heat source, such as a snuggle-safe disc wrapped in a towel. If the rabbit is not exhibiting painful bloating, a gentle abdominal massage may help stimulate sluggish gut movement. If the rabbit appears severely bloated or resists, skip the massage to avoid further distress.
The veterinarian will likely prescribe critical care feeding to provide immediate nutrition and restart gut movement. This involves administering a slurry of powdered formula, like Oxbow Critical Care, or blended pellets and hay mixed with water, given via syringe. This supportive feeding helps prevent hepatic lipidosis and provides fiber necessary to restart peristalsis, but it is not a cure for the underlying cause.