Reddish pee

FORUM

What are we about? Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules.

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 2sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 2 months ago by GraceandFlopsie.

Viewing 2 reply threads

Author

Messages
- 12/08/2020 at 6:27 AM
  bunny34422
  Participant
  33 posts
  Ever since I got my rabbit, his pee has always varied from normal yellow to a reddish/orange color. My friend told me it was fine as long as there’s no blood (I don’t think there is), and I did some googling so I figured it was fine.
  
  I guess I just want to confirm that this is normal. I called the rabbit-savvy vet near me to schedule his first vet visit, but I was told to wait until he’s closer to 5-6 months to schedule a wellness exam + neuter. So I’m not sure if there’s anything I should be doing to help him, like change something in his diet (since I read it can have something to do with excess calcium or plant pigment)?
  
  He behaves normally – eats, poops, drinks, binkying and zooms in the morning/evening and sleeps in the afternoon. I give him a small handful of Oxbow young rabbit pellets every morning and night, and at around 5pm I give him a small bowl of lettuce (mostly romaine, sometimes cilantro, bell peppers, spring mix). Unlimited water and timothy hay. Occasionally my brother will give him a slice of his apple or I’ll give a thin slice of a carrot, but I make sure that he only gets treats like once or twice a week.
- 12/08/2020 at 9:22 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17029 posts
  Orange-reddish pee is most often due to plant pigments in the diet. It is harmless and not a sign of illness or poor kidney function. Many green plants have a good amount of carotenoids in them, for example dandelion greens.
  
  Rabbits can also produce reddish pee spontaneously, but its still not a sign of a problem.
  
  Calcium in the pee shows up as a fine chalky white residue after the urine has dried. This too is normal -rabbits should expel excess dietary calcium via the urine. Most animals don’t absorb all dietary calcium, the excess stays in the GI canal and is pooped out. Rabbits do it differently, and this is why rabbit litter boxes tend to get a coating of white “plaque” in the corners. (It is easily removed if you pour in some vinegar and water and let sit for 15 minutes or so).
  
  Your bun’s diet seems great, and his energy level seems great too!
- 12/14/2020 at 8:41 AM
  GraceandFlopsie
  Participant
  31 posts
  This has happened to my bunny, too! I have noticed that this happens when he eats too many carrots, bell peppers, and other naturally pigmented fruits and veggies! Nothing to worry about, make sure that there is no blood and cut down his intake of those pigmented foods a little, he can still eat them but a just little less!
Author

Messages

Viewing 2 reply threads

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.