Rabbits diapers are a real thing! Rabbit diapers come in a variety of patterns and colors. I recommend that before you put your rabbit in diapers, you find out if diapers are safe for your bun. In fact, I get asked my people all the time if their rabbit can wear a diaper. So, can rabbits wear diapers.
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Why Does My Bunny Poop So Much?
Rabbit owners are surprised by how much poop their pet makes daily. You may see one hundred or more little round pellet shaped poops in one day. This is normal for a rabbit. But rabbits are different than other mammals, because they produce two types of droppings. One type of pellet is made of fecal matter. It’s a dry, round shaped little ball. The other droppings are cecotropes, a re-ingested food that rabbits produce and eat to stay healthy.
What Are Cecotropes?
Cecotropes are dark brown and shaped like a mulberry, or a small bunch of tiny grapes. They’re partially digested food that passes through your rabbit’s digestive system then get re-ingested by your rabbit. Cecotrope aren’t feces. They’re fibrous and full of great vitamins and fatty acids essential for your rabbit’s health. Cecotropes have a pungent odor because they’re filled with good bacteria that helps your rabbit’s gut stay healthy. Rabbits eat cecotropes as soon as they make them. You might not notice your bunny eating her cecotropes. She may look like she’s just grooming her belly, but then you notice she’s chewing. She’s probably eating her cecotropes. Your rabbit may produce her cecotropes in the late morning or late at night. Cecotropes are called “night droppings” since you rarely see your rabbit produce them.Cecotropes are not only essential for your rabbit’s health, they are also your rabbit’s favorite snack. While she’s chewing on her cecotropes, you’ll notice she looks blissfully content. She might even give a little butt twitch here and there to let you know she’s happy and satisfied.
Is It Okay For Rabbits To Wear Diapers?
Yes and No read below to find both arguments. There’s a big debate among rabbit owners about whether rabbits should wear diapers. Here are the pro arguments for diapers and the con arguments against diapers.
Pro argument-Many rabbit owners want their bunny to wear a diaper because they poop so much. They put diapers on their pet rabbit while playing with her, or when they take her in the car or hold her on their lap. Diapers keep your rabbit from making a mess inside your house or her cage. Rabbits also spray urine to mark their territory or when they’re excited. Diapers stop urine spraying all over your furniture or carpets. Those who are pro diapers say they are helpful for disabled rabbits who can’t move around. The diapers need changing often to prevent urine burn and to keep the rabbit healthy.
Con argument-Those who are against diapers on rabbits say diapers prevent your rabbit from eating her cecotropes which are so important for a rabbit’s health. They suggest that rabbits are easy to litter box train and shouldn’t be made to wear a diaper like a human baby.
Both sides of the argument have some valid points. If you choose to put your rabbit in diapers, be sure you’re making the best choice for your rabbit.
Can Rabbits Wear Diapers Temporarily?
Some rabbit owners suggest that rabbits can wear a diaper for a short period of time. Your rabbit can still eat her cecotropes when she’s not wearing her diaper. Diapers may reduce the chance of your rabbit getting a urine burn and other complications from her sitting in her poop.
Are There Diapers Just For Rabbits?
There are several types of diapers on the market made just for rabbits.
Cloth-Cloth rabbit diapers are very popular. None of the sites selling cloth diapers list what materials they used to make cloth diapers, but they are washable. The cloth diapers come in various prints, colors and designs. They also come in different sizes. You need to measure your rabbit to get the correct fit.
Disposable-You can also buy disposable rabbit diapers. These look like human baby diapers made with paper and plastic materials. If you use a disposable diaper on your rabbit, you must watch that she doesn’t chew on the plastic. The plastic can harm your rabbit’s digestive tract, causing a blockage.
What Is Wet Tail?
Wet tail or urine scald occurs when your rabbit’s urine soaks her body causing severe urine burns, hair loss or skin inflammation. Urine burns are painful and can lead to infection. The burns can be on your rabbit’s rear end and even her genital area. The continuous wetting and soaking of fur and skin make these areas burn. Left untreated, the skin in these areas can crack, bleed or become infected. The wetness also attracts blowflies which lay eggs around these areas. Diapers help your rabbit stay drier and wet absorbs the wetness.
What Causes Wet Tail or Urine Burns?
There’s several reasons rabbits get urine wet tail.
Overweight-
A poor diet and little exercise can make your rabbit gain weight. Overweight rabbits can’t move around very well. They can’t groom themselves, eat their cecotropes or urinate standing up. This results wetness and possibly burns.
Uterus problems
Unneutered female rabbits that are over two years of age, can develop urine burn from uterus problems or illness such as cancer or endometriosis. Having your female rabbit neutered will stop this problem.
An injury to the legs, pelvis or spine
Rabbits that have injuries in their legs, pelvis or spine often get wet tail because they can’t stand to pass urine. They pee on themselves, soaking their fur and skin with urine.
Degenerative ailments
Older bunnies are prone to arthritis, degenerative discs in their spine and skeletal problems. It’s hard for them to urinate causing them to get a wet bottom.
Urinary tract infections
UTIs affect your rabbit’s kidneys and bladder causing leakage and sometimes incontinence for your pet. This results in wetness and scalding.
How Do I Prevent Wet Tail?
- Check your rabbit’s hindquarters regularly to see if she is wet or soaked with urine.
- Comb out any matted fur on your rabbit’s bottom. Clip any fur you can’t brush out.
- Reduce calcium from your rabbit’s diet.
- Clean out your rabbit’s cage often. Remove wet bedding and replace it with clean, fresh straw.
- Diapering- Diapering your rabbit can help her stay dry. Rabbits with arthritis, limb or spine injuries benefit from diapers. Change your rabbit’s diaper often and don’t allow her to sit in her droppings.
- Express your rabbit’s bladder- To express your rabbit’s bladder, gently press two or three fingers under your rabbit’s belly. Lift her body a bit and apply gentle pressure while moving your fingers along her stomach towards her tail. Keep her head in the crook of your arm to keep her calm. Bladder expression is helpful for older rabbits or disabled rabbits who have a hard time urinating.
How Do I Treat Urine Scald?
Rabbit diapers can help absorb the urine and prevent urine scald. Keep an eye on your rabbit if she’s ill or disabled in her legs. Wetness is the first sign that she may get urine scald.
- Ointments-Use ointmentssuch as A&D ointment will soothe her skin
- Topical Powders-Topical powders help relieve the pain
- Antibiotic cream-Antibiotic creams fight infection caused by the urine scald.
- Calendula cream-this is an organic homeopathic cream. It heals and soothes the painful area.
