Rabbits Terms

Lagomorphs (Order Lagomorpha)

The mammalian order that includes rabbits, hares, and pikas; characterized
by distinctive digestive physiology adapted to high‑fiber herbivory

Non‑ruminant herbivore

An herbivorous animal that does not have a rumen; rabbits rely on hindgut
fermentation rather than a foregut (ruminant) system

Hindgut fermentation

Microbial digestion of fiber that occurs in the cecum and large intestine; produces
volatile fatty acids the animal can absorb for energy

Cecum (Caecum)

A large fermentation pouch at the beginning of the large intestine where microbes break
down plant cell walls (fiber) in rabbits

Volatile fatty acids (VFAs)

Energy‑rich fermentation products (e

g

, acetate, propionate, butyrate) produced
by cecal microbes and absorbed through the gut wall to supply energy

Cellulose

A structural carbohydrate in plant cell walls; a major component of dietary fiber that requires
microbial fermentation for digestion

Circadian rhythm

A daily biological cycle; in rabbits it helps regulate gut motility patterns that alternate
between producing normal fecal pellets and cecotropes

Gut motility

Muscular movement of the digestive tract that mixes and moves digesta; altered motility in
rabbits supports cecotrope formation

Cecotrope (Cecotroph)

A soft, nutrient‑dense fecal pellet produced (often at night) that is rich in microbes
and crude protein and lower in fiber than normal feces

Cecotrophy

The consumption of cecotropes; allows the rabbit to digest microbial protein and vitamins in the
small intestine, improving nutrient efficiency

Coprophagy

Consumption of fecal material in general; sometimes used loosely for rabbits, but more precisely
rabbits practice cecotrophy (eating cecotropes)

Normal fecal pellets

Typical rabbit droppings produced during the day; higher in indigestible fiber and lower
in microbial protein than cecotropes

Microbial protein

Protein contained within the bodies of microbes; in rabbits, captured in cecotropes and
then digested after cecotrophy

Fiber requirement

The minimum dietary fiber needed for normal rabbit gut function; the transcript
emphasizes a high‑fiber, low‑energy diet (often ~12–16% crude fiber minimum)

Crude fiber

A traditional laboratory measure of fiber in feed; used on feed labels to indicate a portion of
indigestible plant material

Low‑energy, high‑fiber diet

A feeding approach critical for rabbits to maintain normal motility, healthy cecal
fermentation, and proper tooth wear; forage should be the foundation

Forage

Fibrous plant material such as fresh greens, hay, or grasses; the primary feed type rabbits are adapted
to chew and ferment

Hay

Dried forage (grasses/legumes); an acceptable fiber source when fresh forage is limited

Grower pellet (balanced pellet)

A formulated pelleted feed that supplies vitamins, minerals, and
concentrated nutrients; used in small amounts to supplement forage (not replace it)

Kits

Newborn or young rabbits

Kindling

The act of giving birth in rabbits; the litter is said to be “kindled

”
Dam

The mother animal

Gestation

Pregnancy; in rabbits the transcript notes a gestation length of about 32 days

Lactation

Milk production and secretion after kindling; nutrient and water needs increase rapidly during this
period

Nesting behavior

Pre‑birth behavior (often 2–4 days before kindling) when the doe prepares a nest; a nesting
box/space should be provided

Maintenance

Nutrient needs to support basic bodily functions, body temperature regulation, and voluntary
activity once growth has ceased

Body condition (fatness) monitoring

Assessing excess or inadequate fat stores (e

g

, by palpation); helps
prevent overfeeding and obesity, especially in pet rabbits

Tooth wear (dental health)

The process of keeping rabbit teeth at proper length through chewing;
inadequate forage can lead to overgrown teeth and the need for veterinary dentistry

Incisors

Front cutting teeth used to bite off forage; rabbits have strong upper and lower incisors

Diastema

The large gap between incisors and cheek teeth that helps accommodate plant material during
chewing

Cheek teeth (grinding teeth)

Broad molars/premolars used to grind fibrous plant material for digestion

Gastric stasis

A dangerous slowing of stomach and intestinal motility often linked to low‑fiber, high‑grain
diets; can lead to pain, reduced intake, and gut impaction

Impaction

Blockage of the digestive tract by accumulated, undigested material; can be life‑threatening in
rabbits

Trichobezoar

A hairball lodged in the gastrointestinal tract (often the stomach); forms when motility and
saliva flow are reduced and ingested hair accumulates

Grooming‑related hair ingestion

Normal rabbit grooming causes hair to enter the GI tract; adequate fiber
and saliva help move hair through and prevent trichobezoars

Saliva stimulation by fiber

High‑fiber chewing increases saliva production, which helps lubricate digesta and
support normal passage through the gut

High‑grain / low‑fiber ration

A diet pattern that reduces saliva and fiber delivery to the hindgut, disrupts
cecal function, impairs cecotrope formation, and increases risk of gastric stasis/hairballs

Soft stools (abnormal cecal output)

Chronic soft stools that may occur when normal cecotrope formation is
disrupted; these stools are not nutritionally useful like cecotropes

Hydration support

Ensuring adequate water intake; veterinary care for stasis may include rehydration and
interventions to restore motility

Motility‑enhancing therapy

Veterinary interventions (e

g

, medications and supportive care) used to
stimulate gut movement in cases of gastric stasis

Exercise enrichment

Providing space and opportunity for movement; supports gut motility and helps reduce
obesity and stasis risk