Cecotrophy — the consumption of soft cecal pellets — is a vital nutritional behaviour in rabbits that is often misunderstood by owners, with prevention causing serious health and welfare consequences.
Cecotrophy is poorly understood even by many rabbit owners, leading to management decisions that inadvertently prevent this essential behaviour. Obesity — common in sedentary, overfed companion rabbits — is the most frequent cause of cecotrophy failure: rabbits cannot reach their rear end to collect cecotropes. This triggers a welfare cascade: nutritional deficiency, skin soiling, fly strike risk, and secondary health problems. Correct rabbit husbandry — unlimited hay for gut motility and healthy weight, limited pellets, ample space for exercise — supports natural cecotrophy and the overall digestive health it maintains. Owners noticing soft pellet accumulation should seek veterinary assessment promptly.