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Pet rabbit eating insects

22 11:21:33

Question
Hi,

I have a VERY curious bunny .  She gets into things all the time.  Just recently, she was having some timothy grass and there was a dead ant on the ground (exterminated).. I think she ate it along with the grass and she shook her head with dislike.  Later that evening .. she snuck out of her cage and went into the garbage can and had a moth.. It was in a zip lock bag...
She then proceeded to my bag where she found an orange.. she ate half of it.

I'm sure she'll have a tummy ache soon.. what can I do to alleviate her pain? Should I bring her to the vet? she seems ok right now.. she's eating timothy hay.. SHould I worry about this?

Answer
Dear Mariam,

Okay, it's pretty weird for a bunny to seek out and eat insects.  Crunchy goodness?  

I would try to keep her away from any insect that has pesticide on it!  Note that although pesticides might not harm you directly (you're a big primate with a big liver), they *can* hurt your bunny, as they are carcinogenic and can cause liver disease.  Be sure bunny is never around when there's spray, and don't ever let her eat or drink or play in areas that have been sprayed.  Residue can do a lot of nasty damage.

Did she eat the peel of the orange?  That wouldn't be too great, as it's full of compounds that can--in large quantities--cause problems.  Half an orange also has more sugar than a bunny should get at one sitting.

If she starts to show signs of gas pain, please get her some pediatric simethicone suspension and give her 1-2 cc's.  Gentle abdominal massage will also help move the gas.  For more information on how to care for a sick bunny, please see:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sickbun.html

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/poop.html

and

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/rabbithealth.html

Hope this helps.  Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana