Rabbit is choking on water

Question
Hello!

 I have a 6 month old rabbit. He's very healthy and active; he has unlimited hay and limited amount of pellets everyday and fresh water. Occasionally, I do take out the water out of his cage because he tips it over and I put it back about an hour later and he goes crazy for it! He starts drinking really fast and then he starts choking on the water. He does a weird, loud, sneezing sound and then it looks like he's trying to clean his face or take something out and keeps choking. Thankful it only lasts about a minute, but I would like to know if something is wrong with him? Is he just drinking it too fast or is it something more serious? How can I help him?

**Drinks water our of a bowl.
**He's been doing this couple of days now.
**Sometimes, he jerks his head/or body to side and keeps choking.

Thank you!

Answer
Dear Julius,

Are you changing his water daily, and washing the bowl very well when you do so?  Rabbits need very clean water, and it sounds as if your bunny is not drinking the old water in his dish (or tipping it as a hint to you!), and then is so thirsty when you replace it that he goes nuts in his desperation to drink.

This can be dangerous, if he aspirates.

I'd recommend that you change his water daily (if you're not already doing so), and keep a very large supply on hand in a heavy crock that he cannot tip over.  Don't make him wait an hour for his drink.  A rabbit doesn't drink with this kind of vigor unless he is desperately thirsty, so if you keep him constantly supplied with very clean water, he isn't likely to go nuts at the water bowl when you return it.

If he does this as a sort of neurotic habit upon introduction of the bowl *any* time, then you might want to have two identical bowls that can be switched out very quickly, without his noticing.

I hope this helps.

Dana