GI Stasis in Rabbits

What is GI stasis?

Gastrointestinal (GI) stasis is a condition in which the normal movement of the rabbit's digestive tract slows dramatically or stops. A rabbit's digestive system is designed to process a nearly constant intake of fiber; when it stops moving, gas and abnormal bacteria accumulate, the rabbit becomes painful and dehydrated, and a dangerous cycle begins. Untreated, GI stasis can be fatal within one to two days.

What causes it?

GI stasis is usually the result of another problem rather than a disease on its own. Common triggers include:

• A diet too low in fiber — too little grass hay, too many pellets or treats
• Dental pain that makes chewing difficult
• Stress: a move, a new pet, loud noise, loss of a bonded companion
• Dehydration
• Any illness or pain that causes a rabbit to eat less

Whatever the initial cause, reduced eating slows the gut, and a slowed gut further reduces appetite — which is why stasis so often snowballs from something small.

What are the signs?

The earliest and most important sign is a rabbit that eats less or stops eating entirely. Watch for:

• Smaller, drier, or absent droppings
• Refusing pellets or greens, then even favorite treats
• Sitting hunched and reluctant to move
• Tooth grinding from pain
• Lethargy or a bloated, doughy belly

This is an emergency of hours, not days. A rabbit that has not eaten for 12 hours, or has produced no droppings, should be seen by a veterinarian promptly. Rabbits hide illness until late — by the time one looks obviously sick, the process is well underway.

How is GI stasis treated?

Treatment focuses on restarting the gut and correcting the underlying cause. Depending on severity, this may include fluid therapy, pain management, medications that stimulate gut motility, and syringe feeding of a high-fiber recovery diet — plus treatment of the dental disease or other primary problem that started the slide. Most rabbits treated early recover well; the odds worsen sharply with delay.

How can I prevent it?

Prevention is mostly diet, and the proportions matter:

Food	Share of the diet
Grass hay (timothy, orchard, oat)	Unlimited — the large majority of intake
Fresh leafy greens	A generous daily salad
Plain pellets	A small measured amount
Treats and fruit	Occasional, tiny portions

Add fresh water, regular dental checks, and a calm, predictable environment. Most importantly, pay daily attention to appetite and droppings — they are a rabbit's health dashboard, and any change deserves a call to your veterinarian.