Hi!
What IS he eating? I know that when hamsters drink a lot of water it could be a sign that they have diabetes from having too much sugary stuff. I’d really recommend sticking to the diet recommended on this site – I had the same issue with Grace at first, she didn’t want the pellets (she peed on them haha) and wasn’t eating much hay or anything because she was used to a diet of kaytee sugary pellets and honey cakes. After about 3 days though she’s eating very regularly and has even lost a bunch of weight in only 2 weeks! Stay strong with the diet – he will start eating the healthy stuff. It sounds extra important now because it sounds like he’s trying to flush out his system.

How long have you had Leo and what was his life like before you brought him into your home?

Definately talk to the vet about it and they may want to  check for diabetes (like MooBunnay suggested), but along with thirst is usually weight loss in the case of diabetes.  Is there a salt or mineral lick in the cage? If so, I receommend taking it/them out.  They are unecessary for a rabbit to have and cause cause undue thirst.  Bunnies get plenty of minerals and salts from the normal intake of their diet.  You may also want to consider a large crock that attaches tot he side of the cage in lieu of a bottle as well.  I found that bunnies often prefer them to the usual bottle. If not, would you consider getting a larger bottle to keep your bunny from running out of water? Is the backside of your bunny soaked or is the litterbox soaked with urine? If so, the vet may check for kidney stones, some type of kidney problem and/or suggest a blood test. To avoid "sticker shock" be aware that the blood test can be expensive.  I can think of a few other things, but it is best if the vet takes a look and I don’t want to cause unnecessary panic, try not to think the worst.

I am glad that Leo is going to the vet tomorrow, might I suggest preparing for your vet visit tomorrow by writing down what he will eat and what his behavior is like? Also make note about when does he drink water? Is it non-stop all day, after eating etc.? Is he still active? What is different now than before?

Is he eating his pellets?  Have you changed brands? Picky eaters can be difficult, but persistence and leaving the veggies there in lieu of you taking them away and him training you to give him only what he wants you to is a better alternative.

Hello – no I would think that if you limit him to the 1/4 cup of pellets it would be very good for him – I looked around online and i couldn’t seem to find anything that indicated any medical reason that a bun wouldn’t eat his veg or hay…sometimes Grace leaves her veg in the cage for almost a full day and a half before she eats it, I don’t know why because its all limp then…but she eventually eats it!

Well it sounds like the lick is what may be attributing to his water consumption.  I definately recommend taking it out and instead offering a treat from "mommy or daddy" instead to help bonding, especially since it sounds like he had a pretty active life as a therapy pet. Or in lieu of the lick, offer some noisy toys hung on the side of the cage or loose so he can throw them around.  I’m sure he’ll love it!

If he doesn’t eat his veggies, he will be just fine, just keep trying with a small piece of something every once in a while.  Pellets were designed for rabbits that do not receive veggies and so are nutrionally packed with everything that they need.  So no need to worry there. How much does your little fella weigh and is he overweight?

As for the "grape clusters" those are his cecotropes and generally they ingest them. If he over producing them, then he has too much protein in his diet.  What is the protein content of his bunny pellets?

Yes, the mineral lick should go out! No need and it can contribute to long term digestive issues. So he’s not peeing any more than normal? Excessive drinking can mean health problems and so I would tell your vet how much he drinks, and let him know he also get veggies since they also have a high water content. I know that’s the last thing you need to worry about, a health problem, but it’s better to be safe than sorry .

keep us updated.

Oh geeze louise!! I’m so sorry skunklionshow, that stinks! Is it his front incisors only, or do the molars have spurs on them too? Have they cut into his gums yet? Well, it’s definitely a priority as even if he could eat, if they start cutting, it can cause abscesses.

Rucy has to get her spurs trimmed every few months, and I can always tell when she’s ready to get them trimmed before her regularly scheduled tooth trim because she begins to drool and her eyes water.

I know that with Rucy the give her some pain medications to use for just a couple of days because motion of grinding off the spurs can make her mouth sore.

Sending quick healing vibes his way! Poor Luey…and your poor pocketbook – sending “more in than out” vibes for your wallet.

Poor Leo! I am so sorry to hear the little fella is having such trouble but am very glad that it can be fixed. Sending healing vibes his way for a speedy recovery! Let us know how the operation goes!

I’m glad thte surgery went very well. And how cute of Jessi to hang out next to his cage. Sending over healing vibes!

Rucy has to also get her teeth filed. Lately it’s been every 3-4 months. It’s expensive each time. I just started saving all my change in a jar. It’s amazing how much it adds up in a short period of time.

I can always tell when she’s ready for filing because her eyes water, and she even will begin to drool sometimes.

Awe that’s good to hear he made it out of surgery well and is in the process of healing.