Why do rabbits eat their own droppings? What cecotropes are, and why it's normal and necessary
Seeing your rabbit turn around and eat its own droppings can surprise a first-time owner. According to the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF), PDSA and the RSPCA, it's both normal and a necessary part of nutrition. Here we look only at the biology of this behavior and how it relates to feeding; for rabbit nutrition in general, see What do rabbits eat?
- Cecotropes: The soft, shiny, smelly kind of dropping a rabbit produces; also called "caecotrophs" or "caecals."
- Normal: According to PDSA and the RSPCA, eating them is normal and an essential part of the diet.
- Why: According to RWAF, the rabbit gets a second pass at the nutrients in its food.
- Why owners rarely see them: The rabbit usually eats them straight from its bottom, right away.
- Soft droppings left lying around: Talk to your veterinarian.
Two kinds of droppings
A rabbit produces two different kinds of droppings. One is the round, dry pellets owners know well. According to RWAF, these are made of the indigestible fiber, meaning hay or grass, and keep the gut moving. The other is the cecotrope: RWAF describes it as soft, shiny, smelly clusters of small beads joined together and coated in a slimy layer, somewhat like a bunch of grapes. PDSA likewise describes cecotropes as soft, sticky, dark brown droppings.
| Feature | Normal pellet | Cecotrope |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Round, dry | Soft, shiny beads joined in clusters like grapes (RWAF) |
| Color and texture | Dry | Dark brown, sticky (PDSA) |
| What happens | Stays on the floor | The rabbit usually eats them right away |
How are they formed, and why are they eaten?
In RWAF's account, food is fermented by gut bacteria in a part of the intestine called the caecum for at least four hours; the mucus-coated material is then passed out quickly and eaten right away. Why? According to RWAF, re-eating gives the rabbit a second pass at the nutrients the bacteria have released. The mucus layer shields the material from stomach acid, and the nutrients are absorbed later in the stomach and small intestine. The page also notes that some new bacteria may re-seed the caecum.
PDSA puts it simply: eating cecotropes is normal and helps digestion. The RSPCA describes it as an essential part of a rabbit's diet.
Why do owners rarely see them?
According to RWAF and the RSPCA, a rabbit takes the cecotrope straight from its bottom and eats it. PDSA also writes that rabbits usually eat them straight away. So in a healthy rabbit's enclosure you won't usually see this soft dropping; spotting one occasionally is normal according to RWAF.
So if you catch your rabbit doing this, don't intervene. Stopping the rabbit or "cleaning up" the soft droppings isn't the right move; the point is that the rabbit can do it by itself.
The role of hay
RWAF writes that the indigestible fiber in hay or grass keeps the gut moving and forms the separate dry pellets. If a rabbit is eating too few fibrous foods, RWAF suggests more hay or grass and fewer sugary or starchy treats. According to PDSA, about 85 percent of the diet should be hay and/or grass; we also touch on this in our greens article.
If soft droppings are left lying around
RWAF, PDSA and the RSPCA all flag it: if cecotropes are lying in the cage, the litter tray or the bedding, or stuck to the rabbit's fur, it may mean the rabbit isn't eating them.
If you see many soft droppings in the enclosure, or droppings stuck to your rabbit's rear fur, talk to your veterinarian. RWAF writes that this may be linked to a diet that's too rich or high in carbohydrates, or to a painful back or joint problems; the RSPCA says sticky droppings can lead to digestive problems and raise the risk of flystrike. Don't try to work out the cause yourself; Tüylüm is a record-keeping tool and doesn't diagnose.
- Look: Glance at the litter tray and bedding every day; dry, round pellets are normal.
- Note it: If soft droppings start to be left around, record the date and how many.
- Hay: Don't limit your rabbit's hay; keep it available at all times.
- Ask: If it keeps happening, talk to your veterinarian.
You can write your observation with its date in the Complaint log, and share it with your vet through the Show the vet summary. You can also see weight changes on the Weight tracking chart.
Frequently asked questions
My rabbit eats its own droppings. Should I stop it?
No. According to PDSA and the RSPCA, eating cecotropes is normal and an essential part of nutrition.
I see cecotropes in the enclosure. Is something wrong?
According to RWAF, seeing one occasionally is normal; but if there are many, or they're stuck to the fur, the rabbit may not be eating them. Talk to your veterinarian in that case.
Are cecotropes the same as normal droppings?
No. According to RWAF, normal droppings are dry, round pellets; a cecotrope is soft, shiny and smelly, like clusters of beads.
Keep track of your pet's care in TüylümLog vet visits, vaccine and medication dates, and we'll remind you when it's time. Share it all with your family in Home.
Sources
- Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund · Digestion
- PDSA · Feeding your rabbits
- RSPCA · What do rabbits eat?
This article is for general information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment advice and does not replace a visit to a veterinarian. Talk to your vet about decisions on your pet's health. By Tüylüm · Published and last checked: November 9, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Write to [email protected] and we'll fix it right away. Photos are from Wikimedia Commons, used under the license shown below each photo.
