What is the purpose of caecotrophy?

Caecotrophy is a fascinating digestive strategy which some small mammals use in order to gain extra nutrients. Caecotrophs are a type of soft faecal pellet which some animals will consume. The process of eating these is known as caecotrophy. It is sometimes also described as pseudo-rumination.

Why is caecotrophy important in rabbits?

Rabbits are also special in that they have a behaviour called caecotrophy (night time poo). This special poo is full of vitamins and amino acids, which is eaten by the rabbit to increase the nutrition they get from their diet.

What is rabbit caecotrophy?

Your rabbit completes a natural process by re-ingesting the caecotrophs, maximising the nutrients they can obtain from food. The digestive process is similar to a cow chewing its cud, and is called caecotrophy.

What animals are caecotrophs?

Cecotropes, also called caecotrophs, caecal pellets, or night fecs, are the product of the cecum, a part of the digestive system in mammals of the order lagomorpha, which includes two families: Leporidae (hares and rabbits), and Ochotonidae (pikas).

Why is my bunny producing so many cecotropes?

A diet too high in carbohydrates, protein, or sugar can upset the balance of bacteria in the caecum causing the production of too many cecotropes. The rabbit ignores these extra dropping as they contain unneeded nutrients and they become stuck in the fur or squished on the floor instead.

Why is my rabbit not eating his cecotropes?

If cecotropes are not ingested, the rabbit may experience dietary insufficiencies. Additionally, note that a rabbit may not eat cecotropes due to dental or other oral pain as well as obesity or restricted movement (e.g., spondylosis) that prevents the bunny from physically reaching the anus to eat the cecotropes.

Why is my rabbit not eating all his cecotropes?

Do rabbits always eat their cecotropes?

First, check your rabbit’s hind end. A rabbit normally has a clean rear end because, even though cecotropes are soft and sticky, it is consuming these poops as they are exiting the body. If there are small, soft, sticky poops stuck to your rabbit’s fur, then your rabbit isn’t eating its cecotropes.

What is rabbit coprophagy?

In short, they eat their own poop and digest it a second time. Bunnies actually make two different kinds of droppings: little black round ones and softer black ones known as cecotropes that are eaten. This process is known as coprophagy, and functions the same as cows chewing their cud.

What does cecotropes look like?

Cecotropes are a group of soft squishy pellets that are stuck together in a way that resembles a blackberry. They are dark brown, almost black, in colour and a coating of mucus gives them a glossy appearance.

How do you get cecotropes?

Harvesting cecotropes is easier said then done.

  1. The recommended method is to put a cone collar on the donor/healthy rabbit, so they are unable to eat them directly, then harvest them from the floor.
  2. The second method is harvesting as found.

Do rabbits eat all their cecotropes?

Healthy rabbits consume all their cecotropes. However, consumption can be influenced by the rabbit’s diet. For example, a protein-rich diet (such as one high in alfalfa) may result in a rabbit ingesting fewer cecotropes; thus, you may find them in the litter box along with regular feces.