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.

An example video of how the normal wave action from peristalsis in a rabbit's gastrointestinal tract system looks. source
Another example of how a rabbit's GI tract contracts & squeezes food forward while the muscles in front of the food relaxes to allow the food to move. source
For comparison... this video shows a rabbit's stomach moment roughly 16 hours before giving birth. source

Further reading

See also

References