What are the signs of GI stasis in rabbits and what should I do?

Rabbit GI stasis is a life-threatening condition where gut movement slows or stops completely; if your rabbit has not eaten or produced droppings for 6–12 hours, treat it as a veterinary emergency.

GI stasis is one of the leading causes of death in pet rabbits. Unlike dogs and cats, a rabbit's digestive system must keep moving continuously — even a few hours of standstill allows gas to build up and gut bacteria to shift dangerously.

Early warning signs (first 0–6 hours)
- Reduced hay and pellet consumption
- Fewer or smaller fecal pellets than usual
- Quiet or hunched posture
- Reluctance to move

Advanced signs (6–12 hours — emergency)
- No droppings at all
- Complete food refusal
- Teeth grinding (bruxism) — a pain response
- Bloated, hard, or painful abdomen
- Rapid shallow breathing
- Cold ears and lethargy

What to do in the first 30 minutes at home
1. Feel the abdomen gently — gas feels like a tight drum, impaction feels like a firm lump
2. Offer fresh hay and water; do not force-feed
3. Encourage gentle movement — short walks around the room
4. Keep the rabbit warm (26–28°C)
5. Do NOT give human pain medication — paracetamol and ibuprofen are fatal to rabbits

Common causes
- Low-fiber diet (insufficient hay)
- Stress (new environment, loud noises, loss of a bonded partner)
- Pain from another condition (dental disease, urinary stones)
- Ingested fur during heavy molt
- Dehydration

Veterinary treatment
Vets typically administer subcutaneous or IV fluids, gut motility drugs (metoclopramide or cisapride), pain relief (meloxicam), and syringe feeding with Critical Care formula. Imaging may be needed to rule out true obstruction.

Recovery timeline
Most rabbits showing early signs recover within 24–48 hours with prompt treatment. Advanced cases can take 3–5 days of hospitalization. Recurrence is common without addressing the root cause.

Use Flovvi to log your rabbit's daily food intake, droppings count, and activity level. Our AI Triage can detect behavioral patterns that precede GI stasis — download Flovvi before the next crisis happens.