The rabbit does not eat or drink: what to do, common causes and how to avoid them

Without water and food is a warning sign that should worry any rabbit breeder, whether he breeds animals professionally, as a hobby or keeps as pets. Therefore, it is extremely important to know what to do when the rabbit is not eating or drinking, which can be the cause of this condition. This will help to recognize the danger in time and prevent a recurrence in the future.

Reasons and necessary actions if the rabbit refuses food and water

Rabbits should eat regularly and drink clean water to ensure a he althy metabolism.If the animal refuses to eat and drink, this indicates problems in the body that need to be identified and corrected. They are not always associated with diseases, so rabbit breeders need to know what exactly can cause such conditions.

Gastrointestinal problems

If the rabbit lies motionless on its side, does not want to eat or drink, and traces of blood are visible in the feces, one can suspect a frequent phenomenon - the accumulation of hairballs in the stomach. All animals suffer from this, but those with thick, fluffy and long fur are more susceptible to the disease.

When caring for a fur coat, animals swallow wool. It clumps into lumps, which can reach a considerable size. An obstruction occurs, and the animal may die if surgical care is not provided in time. In mild cases, administering a small amount of petroleum jelly may help.

Rabbits, especially downy and long-haired breeds, need to be brushed regularly, more often than usual during seasonal molting.

Infectious diseases

Rabbits are prone to many infections, so if the pet has stopped eating and drinking water, feels ill and does not look well, urgent action must be taken. In most cases, a visit to the veterinarian will be required, since it is impossible to identify numerous diseases by external signs without testing.

Poor oral he alth

If the rabbit is inactive, does not try to eat, even if he is tempted by his favorite delicacies, attention should be paid to the condition of his mouth. In rabbits, teeth grow constantly, so if they are not ground down, they will become huge and damage the mucous membranes. These animals are prone to malocclusion, a condition in which the teeth grow too long and take the form of tusks.

Rabbits need to be given solid food - root vegetables, tree branches, grain, so that they can grind their teeth. If the cause is malocclusion, the defects will have to be manually corrected regularly.

Improper feeding

In the event that not one rabbit, but a whole herd is lethargic and inactive, one can suspect that something has gone wrong with the food. The reasons may be as follows:

1. Overfeeding, underfeeding, unbalanced feeding.
2. Lack of vitamins and minerals.
3. The abundance of succulent feed, white cabbage causes increased fermentation in the intestines, can cause lack of appetite and even illness.
4. Dirty, wet food. Feces, spilled water and contamination on food cause he alth problems, so the condition of the food must be monitored, removing spoiled or soiled food in time.

Rabbits need to be provided with nutritious food, on a schedule and following the recommendations of veterinarians.

Stress condition

Weakness, refusal to eat and drink can be a manifestation of a stressful situation.

Causes of stress:

1. Recent pet purchase.
2. Moving from one room (cell) to another.
3. Introduction of a new rabbit, possible aggression of other animals.
4. Stress in pets is provoked by excessive attention to them from people, especially young children. If the animal is often squeezed or bothered by him when he is resting or eating, this can provoke attacks of aggression, depression. As a result, stress develops, food refusal.
5. A rabbit after a birth, especially the first one, may be in a stressful state, refuses to eat and can harm herself and her offspring. Therefore, she and the offspring are provided with comfortable conditions, peace, proper feeding, warmth and cleanliness.

Rabbits are nervous, sensitive creatures, so owners need to first deal with feed and cages, and only after that buy animals.

Allergy

Rabbits can develop allergies, often alimentary, that is, associated with the use of certain foods, but in some cases, animals can react to dust, dust or plant pollen, detergents, cosmetics and perfumes, if they live as pets .

The reaction is manifested by lacrimation, swelling of the eyes and mucous membranes, refusal of food, damage to the coat. The animal can comb the skin until it bleeds, the ears and genital area are especially affected.

Poisoning

Rabbits are capable of chewing on everything, from food to their own cages. They are able to gnaw on inedible and even toxic things, poisonous plants, which leads to poisoning.In addition to refusing to eat and drink, poisoning, unlike indigestion, is accompanied by profuse vomiting and diarrhea. The condition of the animal is rapidly deteriorating, aggravated by dehydration and can quickly lead to death if urgent measures are not taken.

Wrong diet

Repetitive feeding causes rabbits to tend to "stuff their belly" with the food they are given because they are not satiated or lack nutrients. In the stomach, they can form a dense lump of food eaten, which will provoke pain, indigestion and poor he alth.

Injuries

Trauma can be the reason for refusing to eat, especially if the stomach is hurt. Any serious damage is accompanied by lethargy, weakness, malnutrition, change in appearance. Domestic rabbits suffer from falls from furniture and electric shocks, bruises with their feet or doors, being pressed by cage doors, and being bitten by other animals.If the rabbit roams freely around the apartment or house, the owners need to be very careful and careful.

Stomach Qatar

The following varieties of Qatar are found:

1. Acidic, characterized by profuse mucous secretions.
2. Alkaline, loose stools.
3. Colds, with bloody stools and rhinitis. Occurs with severe hypothermia.

All three varieties require a quick reaction, because they can lead to the death of animals.

What can be done to avoid these problems?

Without food, a rabbit can live up to 3 days, without water can withstand up to 6 hours. This indicates the need for quick decision making and seeking help.

To avoid the loss of animals, you need to follow these recommendations:

1. Provide a comfortable and peaceful environment for your pet or industrial livestock, avoiding stress.
2. Make sure cages and rooms are regularly cleaned, ventilated and disinfected.
3. Create conditions for physical activity, mobility.
4. Get regular check-ups at the vet, follow the vaccination schedule.
5. Give only natural and fresh food.
6. Create automatic watering so that the water is clean, always freely available.
7. Put wires, household chemicals and cosmetics, plants and other dangerous items out of the reach of the animal.
8. Comb out the animal during molting, give one pitted prunes twice a week to remove wool that has got into the stomach.

Pay attention to rabbits, you can save the animals from suffering and prolong life.

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