October 2026
It's evening, and you notice the hay pile hasn't shrunk, the litter box is nearly empty, and your rabbit is sitting hunched in a corner instead of begging for greens. A rabbit that stops eating is never a "wait until Monday" problem. Gastrointestinal (GI) stasis, when the normal movement of the gut slows or stops, is one of the most common reasons rabbits need urgent care. Knowing the early signs, and when something more serious may be going on, makes a real difference.
Rabbits are built to process large amounts of coarse fiber. They chew almost constantly, which also wears down teeth that never stop growing. In the gut, larger fiber particles move quickly through and out as the round droppings you see. Smaller particles go to a large fermentation chamber called the cecum, where helpful bacteria break them down. The cecum produces soft, nutrient-rich droppings called cecotropes, which rabbits eat directly from their bottom to get vitamins and protein.
When a rabbit eats less fiber, or something interferes with gut movement, gas builds up, the gut slows further, and a rabbit can become very sick quite quickly.
Smaller, fewer or no droppings are often the very first sign. You may also notice your rabbit eating less, picking only at treats or refusing hay, being quieter than usual, hiding, or not coming to greet you. Hunching, sitting pressed into a corner, and teeth grinding are signs of pain. The belly may feel bloated or tight, and uneaten cecotropes may appear in the enclosure.
GI stasis usually has an underlying cause, and finding it matters as much as treating the slowdown. Pain is a big one, from dental disease, arthritis, bladder sludge or other illness. Diet is another, especially too little hay and too many pellets, treats or sugary foods. Stress from a move, a new pet, loud noise or the loss of a companion can trigger it, as can dehydration or a blockage in the intestines.
Most rabbits I see for stasis are still fairly bright and alert, with a soft, doughy belly, and many can be treated as outpatients. But a few serious emergencies look similar at first.
An intestinal blockage, usually a wad of swallowed hair, can become life-threatening within hours. Many can still be treated without surgery if they're caught early. A liver lobe can twist on itself, the appendix can become inflamed, and in rare cases the stomach itself can twist. These rabbits tend to be very quiet or flat, painful in the belly, cold, or lying on their side. That's why a rabbit that stops eating should be checked as soon as it arrives at the clinic, not left to wait in the lobby.
Expect a careful exam of hydration, temperature, heart rate and the belly. X-rays, and sometimes ultrasound or bloodwork, help show whether this is uncomplicated stasis or something more serious. Be ready to describe exactly what your rabbit eats, because diet history matters.
Treatment depends on the cause and how sick your rabbit is. It may include fluids, pain relief, assisted feeding with a high-fiber recovery food, medication to support gut movement when appropriate, treatment of the underlying problem such as dental disease, and surgery for conditions like a twisted liver lobe or a blockage that won't move. Many rabbits recover well when treatment starts early.
Prevention comes down to the basics, done every day. Offer unlimited fresh grass hay such as timothy as most of the diet, fresh leafy greens daily, a limited amount of pellets, and very few sugary treats or fruit. Many rabbits drink more from a bowl than a bottle, so offer one. Daily exercise, space to move, a calm routine with places to hide, and regular wellness exams with a careful dental check all help keep the gut moving.
Go immediately if your rabbit is lying on their side, feels cold or is barely responsive. After hours, seek emergency care.
Call the same day if your rabbit hasn't eaten, or has eaten very little, for several hours, has produced few or no droppings, has true diarrhea (an emergency in rabbits), or seems painful, bloated or hunched. Don't give human medications.
Dr. Logan Kopp, Nashville's rabbit specialist and a Diplomate in Exotic Companion Mammal Practice, sees rabbits with appetite and gut problems, including surgical emergencies, at Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital. Call (615) 361-4646. After hours, contact Veterinary Emergency Group in Franklin, Murfreesboro or West Nashville.
This article is general information, not medical advice for your pet. Reading it doesn't create a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR). Please talk with your own veterinarian before making changes to your pet's care.