Rabbit Gut Stasis Emergency Welfare

Gastrointestinal stasis is a life-threatening emergency in rabbits that requires immediate recognition and treatment to prevent suffering and death.

Key Facts

GI stasis occurs when gut motility slows or stops, leading to gas accumulation and bacterial overgrowth.
It can be caused by pain, stress, dietary inadequacy, dehydration, or gut obstruction.
A rabbit not eating or producing droppings for 6-8 hours requires urgent veterinary attention.
Hay should constitute 80-90% of the rabbit diet to maintain healthy gut motility.
Rabbits are obligate foregut fermenters; unlike dogs and cats, they cannot vomit and are at high risk from gut slowdown.

Welfare Considerations

GI stasis is acutely painful and can become fatal within 24-48 hours if untreated. Rabbits showing early signs — reduced droppings, hunched posture, reluctance to move, tooth grinding — are already experiencing significant pain. Treatment includes fluid therapy, analgesia, gut motility drugs, syringe feeding, and treatment of any underlying cause. Owners must act without delay; waiting to "see if the rabbit improves" typically worsens outcomes dramatically. Prevention through unlimited hay provision, daily exercise, and regular veterinary checks significantly reduces risk.

What You Can Do

Provide unlimited fresh hay as the foundation of your rabbit's diet every day.
Monitor droppings daily — changes in size, number, or consistency are early warning signs.
Take your rabbit to a rabbit-experienced vet immediately if they stop eating or passing droppings.
Ensure your rabbit has daily exercise outside its enclosure to support gut motility.