Unsure if bunny is sick

[KumaKoom]

Hello, I’m a first time bunny owner and it’s been a week since I adopted a 4yr old Netherland dwarf named Kuma. I noticed today his poop is a bit soft when I squish it and he’s been grinding his teeth when he sits by himself but it lasts maybe 10 seconds or so but is quite loud as if he is eating a hard piece of hay. He eats normally, comes to see me, is pooping and drinking tons of water and wating hay. His tummy felt a bit hard and I either pressed too hard or he is sore cause he ran when I touched him on a firm part of his belly. Although when I touched his belly again a bit later it seems a bit softer but he’s still grinding his teeth while loafing by himself or when just normally sitting. I’m very worried and not sure if hes sick of if he’s okay. I feed him unlimited hay and water, small scoop of pellets and 1 cup of fresh veg like romain lettuce and kale. I don’t know if he’s eaten much veggies before I’m concerned I made him eat too much or changed hos diet too quickly and upset his tummy. If that’s the case what should I feed him? Idk what he used to eat so i can’t use food he’s used to…please help thank you

[Bunny House]

Hi and congrats! Have you taken him to a rabbit savvy vet yet for a general check up? Only rabbit savvy vets should be used unless there is an emergency and you can’t contact the vet. There they can tell you if he has gas, Spurs on his teeth or any other pain.

What kind of pellets is his on? And kale has a lot of calcium in it so it’s not supposed to be given a lot as it can cause bladd sludge that leads to a UTI. I suggest taking Him to a rabbit savvy vet and they can tell you his proper diet and other important information. He might have some gas which is very painful and a vet can tell you how to treat him for it. Also, you might want to read the BUNNY INFO tab to get more information on bunnies for their health and enrichment. Also, house rabbit society has great information too for bunnies.

[kurottabun]

Hmm it does sound like gas or a GI issue. I also recommend taking him to a bunny savvy vet where they can examine him and let you know on his general health, especially since he is having issues now.

Where did you adopt him from? If it’s from another owner or a shelter then you could try asking them what Kuma’s previous diet was like and try to adjust accordingly. If you just found him randomly, the key is to introduce everything slowly. Pellets should be plain pellets without extra stuff like corn etc. If the pellets are colourful then it’s most likely harmful. Oxbow is good and I’ve also heard good things about Sherwood.

Hay should be grass hay like timothy, orchard, meadow, oaten etc. Veggies should also be introduced slowly, one type at a time and in small portions each time so you know which vegetable was the culprit if he has an upset tummy. Some bunnies are not used to vegetables and the sudden surge in this could upset their gut system. You can try stopping the vegetables for now and just put him on a pure hay and water diet to reset his system and reevaluate his diet.

[KumaKoom]

Thank you so much for the reply! I took him to the vet today and he’s alright just some gas due to the diet change, we aren’t freding him veh for 1 week then will slowly feed him it. His teeth are great and everything else was in check (: just a bit of gas she was glad I brought him in now so it didn’t get worse. I got pain meds and the gas X for infants for him and he’s doing great now. He will fully recover I believe and we can start to feed him veggies soon. Thank you so much (:

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