Digestive system
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Rabbits are true herbivores and are classified as hindgut fermenters. Their gastrointestinal tract is relatively long, and its contents can make up 10 to 20 percent of their body weight.[1]
Stomach
A rabbit's stomach comprises approximately 15% of total gastrointestinal volume.[1] It has a well-developed cardiac sphincter that prevents vomiting.
The stomach usually contains hair, food, and fluid even after 24 hours of fasting or anorexia. Gastric transit time is approximately 3 to 6 hours.[1]
How acidic is a rabbit's stomach?
A rabbit's stomach is extremely acidic with a pH of 1 to 2 and effectively kills bacteria and other microorganisms so that the stomach and small intestine are essentially sterile.[1] The gastric pH may rise to 3.0 following the ingestion of cecotrophs.[1]
In pre-weaned juvenile rabbits, the stomach's pH is higher at pH 5.0 to 6.5; after weaning, it drops to pH 2 to 3. Consequently, weanling rabbits are more prone to diarrhea because the stomach pH is not low enough to kill ingested bacteria.[1]
Small intestine
The small intestine of the rabbit is the primary site of absorption of nutrients such as amino acids, lipids, monosaccharides, and electrolytes.
Video examples
The following are a few example videos of normal gut movement and peristalsis.
Further reading
- House Rabbit Society of Chicago, Susan A. Brown, DVM, Rabbit GI Physiology and Nutrition
- House Rabbit Society, Marinell Harriman, Digestibility in the Rabbit Diet
- MediRabbit, Ron Rees Davies, BVSc, CertZooMed, MRCVS, & Jennifer A.E. Rees Davies, BVSc, MSc, MRCVS, Rabbit gastrointestinal physiology
- Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, Dr. Anna Meredith, The Rabbit digestive system: A delicate balance. (PDF) Published Winter 2010.
- Dummies.com, Exploring a Rabbit's Unique Digestive System
- HopperHome, Rabbit Diet
- RabbitKeeper, Rabbit Digestion
- Genesis Extruded Rabbit Food, Digestion and Cecotrophy of the Rabbit