A new puppy = different bunny poops

[Livyc2017]

Hi everyone! So I recently got a my first puppy and I haven’t had any problems between him and my 2 year old netherland dwarf, Paisley. Paisley has had experience with dogs before. She is a little skittish with everything but has never been aggressive towards my family’s dog and has never been attacked by a dog. Since I got my puppy I’ve noticed a difference in her behavior. She has stopped eating her pellets and her treats. She has been eating hay (although not as much as she should) and eating her fresh veggies. She has also been drinking water as usual. I have not changed any of her diet and have been consistent in the amount I have been giving her. As of the last couple of days (I got my puppy a week ago) her poops have changed in size and color. They are smaller and lighter, more hay colored. I also just noticed tonight that she hasn’t eaten her caecotrophs for tonight. I very rarely see them so to see them is actually a shock on my end. She doesn’t go outside, unless we go on the rare walk, and she doesn’t have other rabbits around. Because she has a bad case of chewing on the walls, she is not free-roam, but she does have her own room at my boyfriend’s house. Therefore she shouldn’t have been able to get into anything. We have done a little more traveling over the last week between my boyfriend’s, my moms, and my new apartment. The only environment that is new that she would be exposed to is my new apartment, but her feces were normal her first couple nights there until I got my puppy. I am hoping it is just stress towards the new family member and will resolve soon, but I am still nervous as her behavior is typically consistent and predictable. Any advice or relation towards my situation would be greatly appreciated 🙂

[Louiethebunny]

It’s most likely stress from the new puppy and the traveling, hopefully they get to know each other better and they settle down, but there’s usually a way to have rabbits and dogs coexist even if they cant interact with each other. It’s good that she’s still eating, and the changes in her diet will change her poops.

[Peanutthebunny]

it’s just probably stress about the new puppy but if your worried take her to the vet if you can.

(p.s. I love your rabbit I love Netherlands dwarfs she is so cute)

whats your puppies name?

 

[Bam]

It could be stress related, but it could also be sth else that just coincides with the new puppy. That the poop looks different is an effect of the change in food preferences. It’s very good that she is eating hay, but it is important that she eats enough hay. If she stops eating, it becomes a veterinary emergency very quickly. You should monitor her weight. Since Nethies are tiny, they can be weighed in a bowl on kitchen scales. Weigh her every couple of days and write down her weight.

When a bun goes off pellets but not other food, dental problems comes to mind. You can try giving her soaked pellets and see if she will eat that from a plate. If this problem persists, you should get her a vet appointment.

[Livyc2017]

My puppy’s name is Remy! He wants to play with her so bad but she’s like “mom, he has too much energy for me. Don’t let him in my business.” I currently allow them to sniff each other through the gates of her kennel and I hold him while he lays down when she has her running around time just so they can have a chance to observe each other in open areas. Unfortunately, shes a dwarf without the dwarf gene, so she’s around 4 lbs (he’s 5), and monitoring weight is a little difficult. I tried soaking her breakfast pellets but she still is disinterested in them. Thankfully, she ate all of her nighttime veggies and drank a good amount of water since I refilled it last night. Her feces are starting to look a little more normal, but still smaller than usual. I’ll continue to monitor her feces and food intake. She does get annual check ups and is due for one in July. She doesn’t seem to be in any pain and doesn’t seem lethargic, just annoyed that she has a little brother now. Now that he’s been here for a week, hopefully she’ll become more accustomed in the next coming days.

[Livyc2017]

Her food is still fresh by expiration date but it is from an older bag (she has 3 different bags of food- one at each of the houses we tend to stay at). Would that give her any reason to maybe not eat her pellets? But she’s also not eating her oxbow treats and that’s a new bag.

[Peanutthebunny]

very cute name

hopefully paisley goes back to normal soon

🙂

[Bam]

I dont think the food is too old for her taste. Hopefully this is just stress from the new puppy. Rabbits are territorial, so any new pet in the territory can affect them rather profoundly. Keep keeping a close eye!

[DanaNM]

I agree it’s prob the stress of the puppy. You might want to reduce the contact they have even more until she’s back to normal then move more slowly. Puppies and rabbits are a tough mix as everything is a chew toy to puppies, and everything is a predator to rabbits. So you’ll want to work on establishing very firm boundaries with your dog so that he gives her her space. FYI it’s also recommended never to give dogs toys that are furry or squeaky when you have a rabbit, as those toys essentially teach them to hunt small animals.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

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