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Small rabbit poop is not normal and can be due to a variety of reasons. Small poop may be temporary, but it could also indicate something more serious is going on.

As we have discussed, a rabbit’s digestive system is very unique and must be kept in working order. GI stasis, if it develops can kill a rabbit within 12-24 hours so any change in your rabbit’s intake and output deserves close attention, including small poop.

What can cause small rabbit poop?

Small rabbit poop may be temporary and due to stress. Fright, loud noises, or anything else that shakes up your rabbit’s world may be to blame.

However, small rabbit poop may also indicate dehydration, pain, or something worse such as an intestinal blockage or impending GI stasis.

What to do if you notice small rabbit poop

If you see small rabbit poop, your course of action should be to: watch your rabbit closely for several hours, be alert to any other signs that something may be wrong, encourage water intake, encourage food intake including hay and greens, and monitor his output. While stress is a more likely cause of small rabbit poop (especially in the absence of other symptoms) you must always monitor this closely!

Learn more about what your rabbit’s poop should look like here in this pictorial guide.

I want to share a story with you. A story about Pudge and his small poop.

First, a little background into why Pudge began acting…, well, acting up.

The cause of all the fuss

One week ago, we brought home a foster bunny whom we call Banjo.

Our plan is to begin the bonding process with Pudge and then formally adopt Banjo. For this reason, Pudge’s daily routine, which is pretty ritualized, is changing a little.

We began the bonding process with quick dates, but that meant Pudge was eating his dinner salad in a new (neutral) location with a new companion.

This is my bowl. This is where I eat, and this is when I eat! Why, in the name of all things bunny, is this bowl empty, Mom? Read more about what to feed your rabbit here.

The short dinner soirees actually progressed well with just a few bunny punches and honks on the first couple of dates. Since those dates, Pudge and Banjo have happily eaten out of the same bowl without a single spat. Everyone was happy. {sigh…}

And then, Pudge discovered Banjo’s personal hay supply.

This was no ordinary hay, mind you. Oh, no – this was that other bunny’s hay. Hay from the land beyond; hay the likes of which has never been seen before! The most bestest hay in the world. Hay that comes in a fancy bag!

And so, Pudge told me in no uncertain terms, “I want it!”

Pudge found the hay bag and dove right in.

Oh, how cute, I thought. How cute is this?

I had no idea what was coming.

Silly Rabbit, Hay is for Bae

“But, Pudge, this hay is for Banjo. You have the very same kind of Hay downstairs.” Silly boy. I brought him back downstairs to show him his hay.

“But my hay comes in a box and Banjo gets his hay from a bag. Why can’t I have the hay in the bag, Mom?”

Are you still eating?

Of course, I let him munch – until I feared I would find a bag full of nothing but fat bunny. I decided to bring Pudge back downstairs and remind him of the hay he already has.

I’m sure I closed the door. Didn’t I?

I put Banjo’s stash in the guest bedroom and closed the door.

End of story.

Well, not really.

A while later, I could not find Pudge in any of his usual spots. I went upstairs, and in the guest bedroom, I saw this:

At first, Pudge’s tenacious efforts to get to the new hay were funny. But then, I noticed Pudge completely stopped eating his own hay. I paid attention to that but figured he would relent. Besides, he had been eating most of Banjo’s hay; he was probably just taking a break.

But, the next morning, I saw smaller darker poop.

These rabbit poops are smaller and darker than those considered normal and healthy.

Knowing this could be temporary and due to the change in Pudge’s world, I chose to simply monitor him. I cleaned his litter pan and I cleaned and filled his water bowl so I could watch for changes.

Pudge continued to eat his greens and remained active. I decided to mix some of the new hay with his old hay but the little stinker nosed through it and refused to eat any of.

He then went defiantly to the bottom of the stairs, sat there, and looked up to where he knew Banjo’s personal stash was.

Plan B

I took the mixed hay and went upstairs with Pudge hopping up behind me. I put the mixed hay with the rest of Banjo’s hay supply that was still in the bag and that Pudge knew contained the good stuff.

But, Pudge rummaged past my hay mixture until he got to the middle of the bag where the good grass was. I had to dump the hay out onto the floor and let him eat there so he didn’t suffocate in a plastic bag. (Spoiler: As I write this, we have made plans to acquire the same hay, which originally was not available to us as it is not commercially sold.)

Over the afternoon, I realized Pudge was eating hay to beat the band, but he was still not drinking water like he usually does.

Uh Oh. Small poop, and drinking less water.

Otherwise, everything seemed ok. But, Pudge needed more water.

I soaked some of Pudge’s favorite greens in water and he ate those readily. I put water bowls next to the bag of “good hay” several others around his usual spots. I even tried to hand feed him water. (Yes, I did. In the cup of my hand). I managed to get a little water in and I saw him drink from his bowl, but just once.

The picky eating and low water intake continued throughout the day. Thankfully, Pudge was still eating greens and peeing and pooping. When I shared Banjo’s hay with him, he ate and ate and ate. He was pooping a lot and the poop looked slightly bigger. But still, the water intake concerned me.

I continued with wet greens (which he ate like usual). I syringe fed some water to Pudge and the side of my pants and the chair we were on. Things were going just great! 😒

Pudge continued to stubbornly sit by the door behind which the treasure lay. So, I put a bowl of water there too. He promptly showed that bowl the rump.

OPEN THE DOOR, MOM!

I soaked two small pieces of watermelon in water and fed him those. By evening, I was hand-feeding him herbs soaked in water and then I left a sprig of oregano in his water bowl.

Crisis averted

Finally, he started drinking out of his bowl! A short time later, he went and loafed in one of his old favorite spots by a vent. I knew things were turning around so I relaxed a bit. By the next morning, he was draining his water at his usual pace and his poop returned to a respectable size.

Pudge’s poop on the left is from when he was drinking less;

the poop on the right was seen after he started back to his usual habits.

The takeaway

As with everything related to bunny care – Know your rabbit! That way, when something is not quite right, you will notice right away and be able to take the right steps to help. By the way, if you do not yet have your rabbit emergency kit, stop everything, read this article and get your kit ready. You never know when you will need it (but it will likely be when everything is closed) and you want to be prepared. You can shop items right from that article, or here at KnowYourRabbit’s US Amazon Store and here for KnowYourRabbit’s UK store.

Thanks for reading,

Love from Michele and Pudge and Banjo ❤