Bunny farted

[Deleted User]

I keep my new bunny in my room. He’s now 9 weeks. I noticed he had what seemed like hiccups for a little bit yesterday. Today I heard a pretty audible toot from him… is it normal for buns to toot at all? Or does this mean he’s got gas and I need to do something? I’ve heard of people giving baby gas drops, I just don’t want to give him something if it’s not necessary.

[sarahthegemini]

I didn’t even know if bunnies could actually fart! I’ve never heard mine let rip. I would assume tho if the gas is coming out, you wouldn’t need gas drops? Who knows. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable answers because I must know now whether bunnies can pump!

[Mikey]

Its incredibly rare for rabbits to fart. Its more likely you heard that noise from his stomach (stomach gas pops can be pretty loud in some cases). No matter where the gas noise came from, gas like that can become fatal for a rabbit. Youre best to take him to a vet to figure out why hes got gas and to possibly get medication for it. While you wait for the vet visit, baby gas drops should be able to hold him over.

[LBJ10]

Bunnies can technically pass gas. I don’t think there’s normally a sound associated with it, at least not when it’s a healthy passing of gas. I’m pretty sure it’s just little bits at a time, particularly when they are pooping. Leopold has “tooted” before. He wasn’t feeling well. He had a tummy ache and I gave him simethicone and tummy massages (like I always do). After some massaging, I heard something! LOL But I don’t think that is normal. That was the result of a buildup of gas, which can be very painful.

[Deleted User]

So I’ve got baby gas drops on hand. He doesn’t at all seem like he is in pain or discomfort, running around coming for pets and freaking out when the pellet container is opened lol. I was laying in bed when I heard this noise so I wasn’t physically watching him, and I just assumed that it was from him but perhaps it wasn’t. It was while he was eating pellets and he does have a tendency to eat too fast, little pig! Maybe it wasn’t a toot but a cough/choke/sneeze? Can rabbits even cough? He has gotten hiccups twice but they usually subside within 15-20 seconds. I called the vet for a consultation and they said it was unlikely an actual toot and wouldn’t be that audible, and if there was that much gas then he would show signs of obvious discomfort. Still eating and drinking and otherwise acting normal so I am just going to continue to monitor him and have the baby gas drops on hand if I notice any tummy noises/ change in demeanor. He is a super sweet little guy! Thanks for the replies!

[Bam]

If he eats his pellets fast, try scatterig them on the ground for him so he has to search for them a little. They can choke on pellets and it can have serious consequences. It’s rare, but easily preventable.

I heard my bun Yohio fart once. He had a stomach ache so I had him in my lap to warm him and elevate his butt. It was a very small sound, like a soft shoo-shoo-shoo.

I think Q8’s Chewie has been known to fart.

[Deleted User]

That’s a good idea about the pellets! I’ve tried just giving him smaller portions more often, but he just gobbles them up one after the other. He is on low quality pellets that he was eating from the breeder and I was mixing in timothy hay pellets to transition him and they are a little bigger than his pellets. After one or two feedings I just started breaking up the timothy pellets into smaller pieces because he may have been having a hard time with them since they are bigger.

[Q8bunny]

Yep. I’ve got a tooter on my hands. He also hiccups. But he’s got a cast iron gut and has been a very healthy bun *touch wood* so I always tell him “Better out than in.” And he does what his momma said. His vet said it’s totally fine.

[Deleted User]

LOL from this and other posts, I’ve gathered that your bun is quite the character!

[Q8bunny]

Yep. He’s a much beloved singularity.

[LittlePuffyTail]

You read often that bunnies can’t fart. It’s obviously pretty uncommon. The only time I ever heard a bunny toot was when Bindi was recovering from severe stasis/blockage. It was loud and very stinky!!!!

[LBJ10]

I’ve read that too LPT. I’m not sure where people get the idea from. I mean, the bacteria in their gut is naturally going to produce gas. That’s what happens in all animals. So that gas has to go somewhere! LOL So I’m assuming gas is passed quite regularly, we just aren’t aware of it most of the time. The only time they actually fart would be when there is a problem where gas builds up. Well, unless the bunny is like Chewie. Who just likes to be different. ;P

[Q8bunny]

He’s a very expressive little rabbit so maybe tooting is just another means of communication for him. Like saying, I’m right beside the couch, mommy.

[COSusan]

At only 9 weeks old, your bunny should be on alfalfa hay and pellets. He needs the higher protein at this age. Do not introduce timothy until 7 months. Also, they need to eat a pile of hay that is their body size every day. There is lots of great information on rabbt health on the internet but start with a good rabbit vet. I referred to the articles on binkybunny.com a lot when I first got my bunny.

[Wick & Fable]

Great info Susan. Unfortunately, this thread is quite old. We ask members to only respond to newer topics so there’s a better chance of having a dialogue and to keep the forums up to date! I’ve locked this thread.

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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