My rabbit is not eating — what should I do?

A rabbit that stops eating for more than 4–6 hours is a medical concern — not eating hay, refusing pellets, and decreased cecotrope consumption are warning signs that can escalate rapidly to life-threatening GI stasis.

Rabbits have one of the most time-sensitive digestive systems of any pet. Understanding the urgency tier of the cause helps you act at the right speed.

Tier 1 — Emergency (act within hours)
- GI stasis or bloat: no droppings, bloated hard abdomen, teeth grinding
- Intestinal obstruction: ate foreign material, straining without producing droppings
- Heatstroke: hot environment, panting, unresponsive
- Toxin ingestion: sudden collapse after accessing plants or household chemicals

Tier 2 — Urgent (vet within 24 hours)
- Dental pain: drooling, dropping food, weight loss over days
- Respiratory infection: clicking or wheezing alongside food refusal
- Urinary pain: straining to urinate, crying out, reduced output

Tier 3 — Monitor closely (48–72 hours)
- Stress from a new environment, new pet, or loud event
- Mild digestive upset from a food change
- Post-vaccination temporary inappetence (normal for 24 hours)

Dental pain as a hidden cause
Dental problems are among the most underdiagnosed causes of appetite loss in rabbits. A rabbit with molar spurs or root abscesses will stop eating hay first (too hard) while still accepting soft foods. Progressive weight loss over weeks is the key clue.

Syringe feeding at home
If a vet has confirmed no obstruction, you may syringe-feed Critical Care (Oxbow) mixed with warm water. Feed small amounts (5–10 ml) every 2–4 hours to maintain gut motility. Never syringe-feed if obstruction is possible.

Use Flovvi's daily appetite tracker to log what your rabbit eats and when. Our AI Triage flags appetite drops before they turn dangerous — your vet will thank you for the data.