Is it wise to collect rabbit's feces and place it in a bowl for rabbit to eat?

Question

OK, so I read in this book that rabbits often eat their own feces, much like dogs do. Apparently, the first time the feces passes through their body all the nutrients are not extracted. So the rabbit or dog will munch on the feces so that the nutrients can be re-extracted.

So I'm wondering, should I make a collection of feces, much like I would collect stamps or baseball cards, neatly place each ball of feces into a bowl or other container, and give the feces to the rabbit as a mid-day snackaroo?

Also, logically speaking, since the rabbit's feces still apparently contains nutrients unlike human feces, would humans also benefit from consumption of rabbit feces? I'm thinking about trying some rabbit feces for my 3 o'clock afternoon snack. Would it be safer to microwave the feces, then eat? Or eat raw?

Just to be sure, this is no joke. I'm asking a serious question here so please, only serious answers.

Answer 1

Rabbits only eat a particular kind of feces---these are referred to as cecal pellets and are often expelled during the night. They resemble a dark cluster of tiny grapes and are very moist (unlike normal rabbit poops). These are the feces that still have nutrients in them, and that the rabbit will eat (they do not eat the normal hard dry poops you'll find scattered all over). They eat the cecal pellets 'right from the source' so to speak and you'll often never see them do it.

So, to answer your question... No. The rabbit, if it desires to eat its own feces, will do so at its own discretion. There is no need to provide a dish because they do not eat their own feces that regularly, or very much of it.

And I wouldn't suggest eating rabbit feces. Despite the nutrients, the smell of cecal pellets is pretty revolting. You're better off obtaining your nutrients from other food sources (such as fresh vegetables and fruits).

And for those saying it's not normal, please educate yourselves before trying to help others. IT IS NORMAL FOR RABBITS TO EAT CECAL PELLETS (FECES):

http://www.rabbit.org/chapters/san-diego/diet/cecals.html

Answer 2

I heard sometime ago that this is what store-sold rabbit pellets are made of, at least partially.

But really, if you want to get the nebefit from rabbit's diets, try taking herbal alfalfa capsules since this makes up a large part of a rabbits diet. i believe it is high in calcium and other minerals-- or, findout what other grasses/grains comprise rabbit feed, and just add that to your diet. (sunflower, sesame, honey, parsley, etc)

That will give you all the nebefit, probably none of the potential illness or at least nausea, and you can just take the rabbit waste and use it in your garden for fertilizer, if you want to re-use it for something. I would clean the cage regularly, and if the rabbit happened to naturally eat some of its own feces sometimes between cleaning, fine-- but I wouldnt keep it in a bowl for him yo intentionally eat. Feed him regular rabbit feed and treats, and whatever nutrients he misses the first time, he can get through eating more regular food and treats.

:)

Answer 3

Absolutely not, how do you know that the feces are the food that has only passed threw once, also, if they chew on thy're own feces it means they are missing something important nutrient wise from they're diet make sure your rabbit is getting alfalfa, hay or a rodent friendly bulk fibre source.
Don't eat your rabbits feces either.

Answer 4

Ok, wow, I'm glad you clarified your question. No, don't do that. Just make sure you balance out the normal rabbit food with some fruits and veggies. There is also a vitamin supplement that can be added to water.

However, if you're really into using the feces for something, you can use them as fertilizer in your garden.

Answer 5

animal feces is just as bad for them as for you. the reason they may eat their own feces is they are not getting enough food and are hungry, try adding an additional 1/4 cup of food to their diet and watch for them to eat all or leave a small amount. if some is left they are getting enough to eat and will not eat feces, especially if uyou remove it from their habitat. when rabbits are kept, most are kept in cages and at three feet over the floor or ground, and the droppings will fall to the ground through the wire mesh floor and into collection trays or on the ground if outside.

Answer 6

Start a garden, put the rabbit pellets in the garden, the plants will grow super well and then you can feed them to the rabbit. This way the plants will get nutrients from the poopage and then the rabbits can have the plants. Just do not eat the plants yourself because rabbit poop has a half-life of 50,000 years.

Answer 7

No. Don't feed your rabbit its own feces. In fact, animals that tend to eat fecal matter do so because they are malnourished and their own diet is lacking in nutrients. Check out the animals diet. Does the food have enough fat and protein? These are important to help absorb and properly metabolise the vitamins and minerals animals need to survive.

Answer 8

I would say that consumption of any feces is not healthy , in regards to e. coli, especially. Get the rabbit some food pellets.. and if you want grainy flavored snack, i suggest roasted soy nuts.

Answer 9

Weird as it sounds, this is the rabbits way of "chewing cud" like a cow. In proper rabbit lingo it's "chewing pellets". You don't have to collect it and give it back to the rabbit. They kinda "eat it" as it "comes out" when they need to do this.... I've raised lots of rabbits and they all have self cleaning cages (manure falls through a wire mesh floor) and I've never had to do anything like what you described.

Answer 10

Fecal matter in any form is not OK to eat by an animal or a human. Yes, there are left over nutrients but there is also bacteria and some of it could very well be harmful to ingest. Better rethink this one, OK?