Rabbit Gastrointestinal Stasis: A Common and Serious Welfare Emergency

Gastrointestinal stasis is one of the most life-threatening conditions affecting pet rabbits and a significant welfare concern. Prevention through correct husbandry is more effective than treatment.

Key Facts

GI stasis (gut slowdown or stoppage) is the most common life-threatening emergency in pet rabbits
Rabbits must have constant access to hay - fiber drives the gut motility that prevents stasis
Stress, pain from other causes, insufficient fiber, dehydration, and lack of exercise are all stasis triggers
A rabbit not eating or producing droppings for 12 hours or more is a veterinary emergency requiring immediate attention
GI stasis causes rapid deterioration - rabbits can die within 24-48 hours without treatment
Hay should make up 80-90% of a rabbit's diet by volume - commercial pellets should be a small supplement, not the main diet
Rabbits that have experienced stasis once are at increased risk of recurrence, requiring vigilant ongoing management

Welfare Considerations

GI stasis is a welfare problem that is largely preventable through correct rabbit husbandry - yet it remains common because rabbit dietary needs are poorly understood by many owners. The root cause is almost always insufficient fiber: rabbits require constant hay access because fiber stimulates gut motility essential for their digestive physiology. Owners who feed commercial pellet-heavy diets and provide hay only as a supplement are setting their rabbits up for stasis risk. The welfare cost is severe: stasis causes pain, rapid deterioration, and death without prompt treatment. Prevention through correct diet - unlimited hay as the foundation - is the most important welfare intervention available to rabbit owners. Equally important is knowing the early signs of stasis so treatment can be sought before the condition becomes critical.

What You Can Do

Provide unlimited hay (Timothy, meadow, or orchard grass) as the foundation of your rabbit's diet - it should be 80-90% of food intake
Supplement hay with a small amount of high-quality pellets and a variety of fresh vegetables rather than primarily pellets
Monitor your rabbit's food intake and droppings daily - changes are the earliest warning sign of GI stasis
Treat any rabbit not eating or producing droppings for 12 hours as a veterinary emergency and seek treatment immediately
Ensure rabbits have adequate space for exercise, as movement is important for gut motility