Every rabbit excretes two different types of feces, normal feces and appendix feces. These two types differ in that in the appendix feces are still nutrients, so it is not yet completely utilized. In view of this, the rabbit eats its appendix feces and did not have to worry about it, or disgust you from it, because this is a very normal process.

Why does the rabbit eat appendix feces?

The appendix feces is eaten by the rabbit to extract the nutrients still contained in it and to feed itself with it. This feces contains a lot of vitamins and these are absorbed during the second digestion via the small intestine. Thus, your rabbit can provide itself with excellent nutrients and should not have any deficiency symptoms if fed properly.

Most rabbits eat their appendix feces immediately after excretion. To do this, they sit on their hind paws and during the process of excretion is already started to eat this excretion.

What does appendix feces look like?

In many rabbits, you won't see appendix feces at all because they eat it immediately after it's passed. It is surrounded by a shiny coating, so it looks as if this feces is moist. This mucus coating ensures that the vitamins in the appendix feces are preserved and are only utilized by the body during the second intake.

Often appendix fecal pellets are attached to each other and look like small handles of grapes. The color is predominantly very dark and goes strongly into black. Especially if a lot of fresh green fodder is fed. If more hay or light colored vegetables are fed, the color changes to brown or a darker shade of green. However, the shiny shell is always present.

Observe the feces of your rabbit

As a rabbit owner, you should pay attention to what the death of your rabbit looks like. Because through the feces you can learn a lot about the health of your rabbit. Especially the appendix feces are a good indicator for the health. There should never be much of this feces in the enclosure of your animal, because otherwise you can assume that something is wrong.

If there is a lot of appendix feces lying around in your rabbit's enclosure, then your feeding could be a problem. Because too many treats or also the frequently used dry food lead to the fact that the appendix excrement increases in quantity, since it cannot be processed by the rabbit organism. This is often due to the excessive amount of grain, which is difficult for the rabbit to digest.

Therefore, offer plenty of green food and always provide a filled hayrack. This will give your pet enough fiber and allow the stomach and intestines to function as intended. If your animal does not eat the appendix feces at all, then there is a disease and you should go with your animal to the vet.

Blind intestine feces rabbit - so you provide the right amount

This sounds strange at first. But you as the rabbit owner have to make sure that your rabbit excretes the right amount of appendix feces and then reabsorbs it. The easiest way to do this is through food. As we mentioned above, it is important that rabbits always have enough hay available to nibble on when they feel like it and need it.

If you offer green fodder and additionally hay, then the daily hay quantity should be approximately from the size of your rabbit. This amount in a loose volume so not pressed. Maybe this seems a bit much, but active rabbits will eat this without problems. In order for the appendix feces to flow properly, you should, if possible, feed fresh leafy vegetables and herbs daily.

Appendicitis feces stuck to the butt, what to do?

Normally, the rabbit nibbles away this appendix feces. In rare cases, however, it can happen that this is so soft that it sticks and binds so firmly to the fur that the rabbit can no longer clean itself. The danger with this is that it will attract flies. The flies lay their eggs in the feces and the maggots of the flies not only eat through the feces, but also into the skin of your rabbit.

If you see such pollution, then take warm water and clean these places. Then dry them well and you don't have to worry about flies anymore.

The reason why the appendix feces stick to the butt in the first place is almost always incorrect feeding. For example, the popular treats are often stuck together with sugary syrup so that they can be nibbled and stick together. Accordingly, the best way to avoid the sticky appendix feces is to avoid such feed.

Do not reduce these sugary foods abruptly, but reduce them gradually. Otherwise, it can also lead to digestive problems. Ideally, you should completely eliminate these sugary foods from your rabbit's diet. Give him fruit instead, which is also sweet and does not harm your rabbit nearly as much. However, you should also make sure that the amount of fruit you give your rabbit is not too high, which would make the appendix droppings too mushy.