Rabbit Gastrointestinal Stasis | Animal Welfare Hub

Gastrointestinal stasis is the most common life-threatening emergency in pet rabbits — a condition where the gut slows or stops, causing pain, toxin buildup, and rapid deterioration.

Key Facts

GI stasis occurs when normal gut motility slows dramatically, allowing gas to accumulate and intestinal contents to dehydrate and compact
Rabbits cannot vomit — once the gut stops, material cannot be expelled and fermentation gases build up rapidly, causing severe pain
Stress, inappropriate diet (insufficient hay), dehydration, dental pain, and pain from other causes are all recognised triggers
Clinical signs include reduced or absent faecal pellets, hunched posture, teeth grinding, refusal to eat, and a distended abdomen
GI stasis is a veterinary emergency — untreated cases can be fatal within 24–48 hours
Treatment involves pain relief, gut motility drugs (metoclopramide, cisapride), fluid therapy, syringe feeding, and gentle exercise
Prevention centres on a diet of at least 80% high-quality grass hay (Timothy or meadow hay), which maintains gut motility

Welfare Considerations

GI stasis is a condition that causes severe abdominal pain — the distension of the gut with gas is acutely uncomfortable, and rabbits in stasis often grind their teeth, sit hunched, and refuse to move. The welfare burden is compounded by the fact that rabbits are prey animals that instinctively mask pain, meaning owners often do not recognise the severity of the situation until the rabbit is critically ill. Owner education about normal gut sounds, faecal output, and feeding behaviour is the most important preventive welfare intervention — early recognition saves lives.

What You Can Do

Ensure your rabbit has unlimited access to fresh, high-quality grass hay — this is the single most important welfare measure
Learn to assess your rabbit daily: check for normal faecal pellets, food interest, and a soft abdomen
If you suspect GI stasis, contact a rabbit-savvy vet immediately — do not wait to see if it resolves on its own
Provide fresh leafy greens daily (not fruit or starchy vegetables) to encourage gut motility and hydration
Keep rabbits in pairs where possible — social isolation increases stress, a known GI stasis trigger
Avoid sudden diet changes, which disrupt gut flora and can precipitate stasis
Support the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF) and House Rabbit Society for evidence-based care resources