bunny eating fecal droppings

Question
I know that it is normal for rabbits to eat their own cecal droppings, but my rabbit has been eating her own hard droppings quite a lot recently.  Is this okay for her to do or normal? Is it something that I should be concerned about?

Thanks,

Liz

Answer
Hi Liz....I wouldn't be too concerned about her eating the fecals but I would be concerned about why she is eating them.  I have seen this from time to time.  In every case I have seen, it has been the result of a dietary deficiency....most likely fiber.  Rabbits have a specialized digestive system known as hind gut fermentation.  Adult rabbits should have a low protein, high fiber diet.  That means no sugary treats, limited pellets/greens/veggies and unlimited grass hays.  I feed pellets only to maintain body conditioning....and primarily for the Vitamin D supplement since my rabbits are indoor rabbits.  I have a pair of Flemish Giants that weigh well over 20 pounds each....they get 1/3 cup pellets per day to share but they always have a large amount of that high fiber hay.  I feed a buffet of grass hays....timothy, orchard grass, brome, oat and all sorts of different mixes.  I also feed a limited amount of alfalfa hay.  I would suggest taking a close look at your rabbit's diet and make any changes to provide more fiber in the diet.  Hay should be available at all time.  And keep in mind that any hay that is safe for a horse is safe for a rabbit.  I buy tons of high quality mixed grass hays from the equine community.  Many states offer a "Hay Exchange" thru their Department of Agriculture that lists hay ads.  There are also several national suppliers of quality hays that can be purchased online.  Let me know if you need additional information on finding quality hay....I just need to know your general location.  And an additional note about hay....not only is it essential for good health in the GI, it is the primary way to keep those ever growing teeth worn to a proper length.