Rabbits are prey animals, so they hide pain until they can't. A rabbit can go from "a bit quiet" to critical within a day. The good news: the most important signs are simple to check every day.
- A healthy rabbit eats hay all day, drinks, and produces plenty of round, firm droppings.
- Not eating or not pooping for 8 hours or more is an emergency. Call a rabbit-savvy vet straight away.
- A head tilt, breathing trouble, wet or dirty bottom, or any collapse needs a vet the same day.
Know what normal looks like
The fastest way to spot trouble is to know your rabbit's baseline: how much hay they eat, how many droppings they leave, their usual energy and how they greet you at feeding time. A rabbit that suddenly stops eating, hides, or becomes much less active needs to be treated as an emergency, not watched overnight.
GI stasis: the emergency to know about
GI stasis means the gut slows or stops. Signs include no appetite, small or no droppings, a hunched posture, teeth grinding (a sign of pain) and a bloated belly. According to the House Rabbit Society, a rabbit can die within 24 hours of GI stasis, which is why they advise against waiting it out. Call a rabbit-savvy vet immediately, and say how long it has been since your rabbit last ate and pooped.
Other emergencies
| Sign | What it can mean |
|---|---|
| Stops eating or pooping for 8+ hours | GI stasis or other serious illness. Call a vet right away. |
| Head tilt, unsteadiness, trouble using the legs | Neurological or ear problem. Call a vet right away. |
| Nasal discharge or difficult breathing | Respiratory infection. Needs an immediate call. |
| Damp, dirty or smelly bottom, lethargy, maggots | Flystrike, which needs immediate treatment. |
| Rapid breathing, drooling, collapse in hot weather | Heat stroke. Move to a cool place and call a vet at once. |
| Diarrhoea or a dirty bottom | Call a vet right away. |
Teeth: a slow problem that looks like a sudden one
Rabbit teeth never stop growing. When they don't wear evenly, rabbits may drop food, eat less, drool (a wet chin), produce smaller droppings and lose weight. A vet can trim or file the teeth, usually under anaesthesia. A yearly check helps catch dental and internal problems early.
What to check every day
- Is hay disappearing? Hay should make up the bulk of the diet.
- Are there plenty of round, firm droppings, and does the bottom look clean?
- Are eyes and nose clean, breathing quiet, and energy normal?
- Does your rabbit eat a favourite treat eagerly? Refusing a treat is an early warning.
Weigh your rabbit regularly and write the numbers down. Weight loss can be the first sign of dental or digestive trouble.
Prevention and vaccines
The House Rabbit Society advises yearly vaccination against RHDV2, a fatal viral disease, in the US and many other countries. In parts of Europe and the UK, vets also vaccinate against myxomatosis. Ask your vet what applies where you live. Never give a rabbit leftover antibiotics or human medication; some can be dangerous for them.
Furvey's daily check-in and weight tracking help you notice a rabbit's appetite or weight trend slipping before it becomes an emergency — and the AI symptom checker is tuned to flag rabbit-specific red flags like reduced droppings as urgent.
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Not veterinary advice. This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your pet is unwell, contact your veterinarian.