Freaked out by his own farts?

[Silverpaws]

Hi guys! I’m the new girl and a first time bunny mom whos pretty much learning on the go. Merlin (non neutered two year old). started off his day pretty happily, but just now we had a bit of a scene. Merlin had a bit of attack of gas, but after every fart, would thump.

Normally, whenever he’s thumping there’s been a reason, eg: SOMEONE is using the HOOVER! Human! Why aren’t you FREAKING OUT!? -thump-

Or, the time my boyfriend had to get up at 4am for work: WHAT ARE YOU DOING AWAKE AT THIS HOUR!? -thump-

But today he was in his favorite sport (underneath my chest of drawers) relaxing. He’d fart, then thump, then fart, then thump. There seemed to be no other factors here that could have been irritating or distressing him! Maybe he was a bit freaked out by gas attack? Or had a bit of a tummyache?

Any advice from veteran bunny moms/dads?

Update: he’s fine now, by the way and happily munching grass, but still.

[Sarita]

Well, that sounds like it was the problem – gas is painful so if that is what you think it was you can give some simethicone. Not much more I think you can do – if the thumping helps relieve the pain, then I say let him thump :~)

[Peony]

I never knew bunnies had the ability to fart… (I thought one notices gas problems when their eating slowed/ becomes abnormal)

My bunny likes to thump being under furniture, no idea why though, I was never able figure that one out.

[LongEaredLions]

That’s the thing though. Bunnies don’t fart. If you notice they are having gas, there is something wrong.

[MoxieMeadows]

I’ve been told by MANY MANY people that bunnies can’t fart. That’s why gas inducing foods aren’t for buns with sensitive stomachs and you should only give them a little.

[RabbitPam]

Um, it’s been my experience that bunnies can, and do, pass gas. It’s SBD’s (silent but deadly), but my bunny Spockie, when he was geriatric, would suddenly smell in his sleep which was gas. Also, many bunnies cannot digest the families of veggies like Kale, so they get gas from them. It’s not comfortable to have gas, and you can give your bunny some relief with a tummy massage. If he lets you, then he should poop soon afterwards in his litter pan because things got moving again. (And Sarita’s suggestion of simethicone is also good to try.)

Another way of bringing bunny some relief is to make him run around a little. Movement is very helpful in getting a stalled digestive tract moving again.

[Silverpaws]

Posted By RabbitPam on 5/23/2014 1:34 PM

Um, it’s been my experience that bunnies can, and do, pass gas. It’s SBD’s (silent but deadly), but my bunny Spockie, when he was geriatric, would suddenly smell in his sleep which was gas. Also, many bunnies cannot digest the families of veggies like Kale, so they get gas from them. It’s not comfortable to have gas, and you can give your bunny some relief with a tummy massage. If he lets you, then he should poop soon afterwards in his litter pan because things got moving again. (And Sarita’s suggestion of simethicone is also good to try.)

Another way of bringing bunny some relief is to make him run around a little. Movement is very helpful in getting a stalled digestive tract moving again.

Ahhhh I see. Yep, he has been having Kale this week, so thats off the list now! Hes absolutely fine now, and is currently having a case of the zoomies! Thanks for the advice.

[Sarita]

Here’s a good list and article from House Rabbit Society on suggested veggies – the vet who wrote this does suggest that most foods that cause problems with humans like broccoli and kale don’t cause problems with rabbits – totally different GI Tract – things that are problematic are those things high in sugar:

http://rabbit.org/suggested-vegetables-and-fruits-for-a-rabbit-diet/

I’ve had many rabbits and truthfully, I’ve never heard a rabbit fart LOL.

[JackRabbit]

Glad to know. I do not need anything else in my house that farts! Our 12 year old lab can clear a room (if you ask her if she farted, she’ll tuck her head and leave the room too!)

I read somewhere that rabbits opening their scent glands was as close as rabbits come to farting. Talk about stinky! Smells like a skunk!

P.S. This thread would almost be enough to get my hubby to join BB.

[Deleted User]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha JR!

[JackRabbit]

Funny, but sadly all true AH!

[Author]

Messages