Companion Animals

Rabbit GI Stasis and Dietary Welfare

Gastrointestinal stasis is a common, painful, and potentially fatal condition in rabbits often caused by inadequate hay intake and inappropriate diet.

Key Facts

Rabbits should eat their body size in hay daily as their primary diet
GI stasis involves the digestive system slowing or stopping entirely
It causes gas build-up, pain, and can be fatal within 24-48 hours
Pellet and treat-heavy diets with insufficient fibre are the primary cause
Rabbits mask pain effectively until conditions are severe

Welfare Considerations

GI stasis is largely preventable through appropriate nutrition centred on unlimited hay. The prevalence of GI stasis in pet rabbits reflects widespread failure to meet basic dietary needs. Rabbits fed primarily hay maintain dental and digestive health and rarely suffer GI stasis. Owner education about the primacy of hay in the rabbit diet is the highest-impact welfare intervention for this species.

What You Can Do

Ensure your rabbit has unlimited access to good quality hay at all times
Treat pellets as a small supplement rather than the primary diet
Offer fresh leafy vegetables daily as a secondary food source
Seek immediate veterinary attention if your rabbit stops eating or producing droppings
Never fast rabbits as GI stasis can develop within hours