Help – is this a cecotrope *warning poop image*

[HocusPocus11018]

New rabbit owner here, I’ve tried to research as thoroughly as possible I’m just nervous and want to make sure this is a normal poop…from what I’ve read I think it’s a cecotrope but this is the first time I’ve seen one in the cage. Hocus Pocus is almost 10 weeks old.

*please note image is VERY zoomed in the actual size of the poop is very tiny*

[Deleted User]

The photo hasn’t attached, but a cecotrophe looks like a tiny bundle of grapes. It can look like a poop smear if your bun hopped on it or something else like that happened. It’s normal for buns to be producing them, and baby buns need the extra nutrients they provide. Some buns will leave them for later, so it’s not super concerning.
When Hocus Pocus (nice name) is older, and he’s on an adult diet and you’re seeing those, then his diet is too rich. But that’s not the case now.

[MountainBuns]

Oops! Cant see the picture. Dont worry I think one of our forum leaders can fix that up for you.

But anyways……….. Welcome to Binky Bunny! Home of cute rabbit pictures and help when you need it. Here you will meet a lot of new people, Who can help you with questions you have. You can also buy stuff for your bunny, watch cute videos, read about rabbits and much more! Hope you enjoy!

A forum leader may be able to fix your photo.

[Luna]

Hi! I can see the pic. You and the others are correct; it’s a cecal .

[sarahthegemini]

Yep, it’s a cecal! It’s quite common for young buns to leave a few laying around. I wouldn’t worry

[Rain]

Me too, I can see the pic. Yes, it is a cecal. The thing about seeing cecals lying around means that the bun is making more than it can consume. This is because of a number of reasons. Sometimes, when rabbits are very young, like Hocus Pocus, and they are sold to people at very young ages, they have a harder time getting used to their new surroundings. The same thing with my rabbit, Rain. I brought her home when she was five weeks old, which I realized later that that age is way too young to be selling rabbits.But, unfortunately, a lot of pet stores do that so that more people buy them at the cute, tiny age.Anyways, when young rabbits go to a new location, it will take time for them to get used to the area, but sometimes it also causes them stress, which causes them to produce more cecals. The solution to that is higher hay and water consumption until it is back to normal. I also give a tiny pinch of plain, rolled oats, like Quaker oats. Just a small half pinch, because too much can make the problem worse. So a small amount of those will help. Another common reason is a too rich diet at a young age. What is her normal diet? Rabbits at ten weeks should be having alfalfa hay (Rain didn’t touch her alfalfa hay when she was a baby, so I gave her alfalfa based pellets instead along with timothy hay) and water. Veggies shouldn’t be given until the rabbit is a little more older.

Edit: But don’t be worried at all! As said above, young rabbits often do have cecotropes sitting around. It’s just if they become too common is when it’s a little concerning. The advice I gave above is just some ways to stop it if there are a lot of cecals.

[HocusPocus11018]

thanks for the help everyone.

Rain to answer your question, HP eats a diet of Oxbow western timothy hay and his pellets are Oxbow Young Rabbit Essentials which I believe is alfafa based, as well as water of course. he also gets a small amount of leafy greens (fresh basil) which he loves! every few days. The breeder told me it was ok to give it to him, we’ve only had him for about a week so I’m still getting used to what’s normal

[MountainBuns]

Ok now I see the pic. It looks fine, they may just leave a few. Definitely a cecal though!

[Rain]

Oh, then that’s fine. That’s a perfectly healthy diet. That means she’s just doing the normal young rabbit habit. She’s fine!

[sarahthegemini]

His diet sounds really good! Usually we say start introducing veggies when they are at least 12 weeks old but if his tummy is okay with the basil, you could continue with that (you could try cutting it out or seeing if you see extra cecals on the days he gets basil?) I wouldn’t introduce any more veggies til he’s a little older. Just my personal opinion

[Author]

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