Acidity and alkalinity are measured in pH from 0 to 14, with 7 neutral, less than 7 acidic and more than 7 alkaline. Cecal pH in healthy rabbits is about 6. If a rabbit's gastrointestinal tract slows due to a lack of fiber and too much protein or starch, however, the cecal pH could change, resulting in an overgrowth of certain bacteria that can cause death.
Cecal pH may be too high in rabbits that stop eating food and/or eliminating waste, and adjusting the pH may be necessary. Take them to a rabbit-savvy veterinarian immediately even if they decrease their eating because their health could deteriorate rapidly. They may need fluids or medication.
Things You'll Need
- Papaya and pineapple tablets
- Fresh grass hay (timothy, meadow, orchard)
- Litter box
- Fresh, dark, leafy greens
- Measuring cup
- Scale
- Pellets with at least 20 percent fiber, under 16 percent protein
- Baby carrots (optional)
- Fruit (optional)
Instructions
Feed rabbits one to two papaya and pineapple tablets per day to adjust their cecal pH. The tablets have the digestive enzymes papain and bromelain, which help to keep intestinal material moving and to lower pH. The tablets are available in some pet food stores.
Feed adult rabbits unlimited amounts of fresh grass hay (timothy, orchard or meadow), ensuring the rabbits never run out. Avoid alfalfa hay for rabbits older than 6 months because it is too high in calcium and calories. You may place the hay directly in the rabbits' litter box. Lots of hay in the diet keeps the pH down because it facilitates continuous movement in the gut.
Provide your rabbits with a daily supply of fresh, dark, leafy greens. Avoid iceberg lettuce and choose romaine lettuce, kale, collard greens, carrot tops, dandelion greens, mustard greens and parsley instead. Give the rabbits a variety of these items each day, serving 1 cup per 4 lbs. of body weight. Some veterinarians say rabbits can have more leafy greens than that as long as they eat plenty of hay.
Feed the rabbits pellets composed of at least 20 percent fiber and less than 16 percent protein. Serving size suggestions vary but are usually 1/8 to 1/4 cup of pellets per 4 lbs. of rabbit body weight. Stay away from brands that include anything but pellets. Some veterinarians recommend using timothy hay-based pellets. Keeping the diet low in protein helps to keep pH down.
Give each rabbit no more than one small baby carrot per day as a treat or a similarly small portion of fruit such as blueberries and apples. Too much sugar and starch can cause obesity and increase cecal pH.