Vegan_Bunny
Warren Veteran
If a rabbit is eating a LOT of cecals..can this be a sign that something is wrong? :?
I find Doughnut does it about 4 hours after eating. So once she's eaten her muesli, four hours later there is lots of ducking. The more she eats the more ducking is involved. I think that's how it works!
bisc eats some straight from his bottom, but alot he puts infront of him on the floor and then eats them :?
Cecals are made from the tiny particles of digestible fibre that are fermented in the ceacum then ingested so they pass through the small intestine again to absorb the nutrients. The amount of digestible fibre in food varies so I suppose that could effect the quantity. As long as her diet is good (lots of grass hay and not too much dry food) and she's eating them all I wouldn't be worried.
They are sometimes called 'night droppings' because on a wild schedule they'd arrive whilst they are back in the warren after feeding. It might be you're just observing her at the times she's most likely to be eating them?
Well if cecals smell off they don't eat them. Maybe some smell a bit funny when they're first on their way out, so he inspects them and decides it must just be his bum that smells funny?
Xena has always slept like this, just not THIS often. She is also not moving when I get up out of bed. :shock: Normally she jumps up and runs under the bed, or follows me to see if I have anything tasty. :lol: Maybe she is feeling more comfortable around me.
Thumps, is definitely the one to ask! I may message her and see if she has anything to add on this. It is quite interesting that some buns do eat more cecals at different times.