Gastrointestinal stasis is a life-threatening condition in rabbits that requires immediate veterinary attention and is often caused by preventable factors.
Gut stasis in rabbits is among the most common and most preventable welfare emergencies in companion rabbit medicine. The primary driver is inadequate hay consumption — rabbits require constant movement of fibrous material through their gut to maintain motility and microbiome balance. Diets high in pellets, treats, and vegetables at the expense of unlimited hay set the stage for stasis. Stress, dental disease, and pain from other conditions are secondary triggers. Owners who do not recognise the early signs — reduced droppings, quiet behaviour, hunched posture — or who delay veterinary attention believing the rabbit will recover naturally, frequently lose their pet to a preventable condition. Rabbit medicine literacy among owners is a welfare priority.