Uh-oh, your dog ate rabbit poop.
And now Fido suddenly has diarrhea.
As a fellow fur parent, I know this is very concerning.
So don’t worry.
I’ll give you the best tips to help your pooch.
Keep reading to learn:
- When to bring your dog to the vet for diarrhea treatment.
- 3 alarming ways eating bunny stools can make canines sick.
- 5 vital tips to relieve Fido’s diarrhea after consuming rabbit poop.
- And many, many more…
Can rabbit poop make a dog sick?
Rabbit poop can make a dog sick if the bunny is ill or infected by parasites. A few examples of parasitic infections would be leptospirosis, coccidiosis, and giardiasis. Typically, rabbit poop is clean. So it may only cause diarrhea when canines eat too much feces. Or if the dog has a sensitive gut.
What should I do if my dog ate rabbit poop? 5 tips
#1: Examine the poop
First, you should check the bunny’s stools.
I know.
It sounds like an unpleasant task…
But the rabbit’s poop will tell you if:
- Fido’s diarrhea is normal and can be treated at home.
- Your dog got infected by parasites and needs the vet’s help.
“Okay, so what should I do?”
For starters, see if the rabbit left more stools.
Then, look for signs of infection on it. Like:
- Bloody poop.
- Mucus in feces.
- Loose, watery stools.
Now, if the bunny’s poop has these symptoms…
They could have the following parasites:
Giardia
Giardiasis is a common infection.
In fact, vets say over 10 to 30% of dogs around the world may have it.
That said, AKC states Fido may get this parasite from eating infected stool. Such as the bunny’s poop.
Now, giardia’s most common sign is diarrhea.
Which your dog currently has.
But aside from that, you may also notice symptoms like:
- Vomiting.
- Dehydration.
- Poor coat quality.
- Sudden weight loss.
- Inability to gain weight.
If you spot these signs, take Fido to a vet ASAP.
That’s because giardia can only be treated through oral medication.
And you can’t get the right medicine without the clinic’s help.
Plus, AKC also stated:
Giardia won’t go away by itself.
Meaning, proper treatment is the only way to stop Fido’s diarrhea.
And if the parasite’s left ignored, the issue may lead to:
- More weight loss.
- Gastric inflammation.
- Losing interest in food.
- Spreading the infection.
Note: To avoid infecting other animals, clean Fido’s belongings. Like their bed and toys. Also, disinfect the areas your pooch always uses.
Leptospira
Leptospirosis is usually spread through urine.
But here’s the thing…
Some bunnies also pee near the same spot where they do their business.
Thus, their infected urine may spread to the poop.
That’s why you must check if Fido might have this parasite. As it also causes diarrhea.
Though, vets say there are other signs of leptospira in dogs. Such as:
- Fever.
- Shivering.
- Weakness.
- Appetite loss.
- Muscle stiffness.
- Yellowish skin (jaundice.)
- Vomiting (could be with blood.)
- Drinking and peeing more than usual.
In case your pup has these symptoms, bring them to the clinic right away.
If not, leptospirosis might lead to:
- Liver damage.
- Kidney infection.
Now, both these organs are vital.
So if the infection spreads, it can be fatal for dogs.
That aside, once your pooch recovers…
The vet may suggest vaccinating your dog. And it should protect Fido from the leptospira parasites.
Coccidia
Lastly, there’s coccidiosis.
VCA Hospitals say this parasite won’t harm a healthy adult dog.
But for puppies or sick older canines…
Coccidia may cause them not just severe diarrhea. But also:
- Vomiting.
- Dehydration.
- Pain in the belly.
- Risk of sudden death.
So, if your furry pal is young or a senior, it’s best to see a vet ASAP.
“My dog’s an adult, but they have other illnesses. What should I do?”
In that case, you should also take them to the animal clinic.
Now, if your furry friend isn’t showing signs of any infection…
Then you can try treating their diarrhea at home.
And that’s what you’re about to learn below.
#2: Keep Fido hydrated
With parasites out of the way…
You can focus on relieving your dog’s diarrhea.
And the first step is keeping Fido hydrated.
Now, why is this important?
Well, research says diarrhea dries up the body’s fluids. Which explains the watery stools your pooch might have.
And that causes dehydration in dogs.
But just how much does liquid Fido need to drink?
Well, experts say there’s no specific amount. You only have to give your pooch access to clean water at all times.
Though, if you feel uncertain…
You could call the vet and ask them for guidance over the phone.
That said, they may also suggest fluid therapy for Fido.
Especially if your dog’s diarrhea isn’t going away after 24-48 hours.
Anyway, aside from keeping Fido hydrated…
You can also learn more home-remedy tips here:
You might find this helpful: 19 Crazy Simple Tricks To Get Your Dog To Drink More Water
#3: Fasting for 12-24 hours
You can skip Fido’s meal for a whole day or half of it.
“Wouldn’t that make my dog weaker?”
That’s what I thought too.
But according to studies:
It’s common to let pups fast for a few hours when they have diarrhea. Doing so would give Fido’s gut a break.
With that, you can avoid making their condition worse.
But before you try this solution…
Beware that some dogs aren’t suitable for this tip. Specifically, those Fidos are:
- Puppies.
- Senior dogs.
- Sick canines.
- Pregnant Fidos.
These dogs might not handle fasting. As their body needs constant nutrition from food.
So, if your pooch belongs to the list above…
Consult a vet before withholding Fido’s meals.
#4: Bland diet
Researchers say:
If fasting doesn’t work, your dog might need a bland diet.
Meaning, you should only give Fido food that is:
- Soft.
- Not spicy.
- Low in fiber.
- Cooked, not raw.
“Okay, but why too specific?”
That type of food is easier to digest.
And they can relieve Fido from their diarrhea.
“So, what kind of meals should I give my dog?”
For ideas, vets say you may feed the following to your pup:
- Boiled chicken.
- Low-fat hamburger.
- Plain white rice (cooked).
- Cooked pasta (without sauce or seasonings).
Now, before preparing your furry friend’s food…
Know that you must feed their new meals in small portions first.
Why, you ask? AKC answers:
Sudden diet changes might worsen Fido’s diarrhea
But don’t worry, you can prevent that issue.
Just follow this feeding guide from experts:
| Day | Amount of bland diet | Amount of old diet |
| Day 1 | 25% | 75% |
| Day 3 | 50% | 50% |
| Day 5 | 75% | 25% |
| Day 7 | 100% | 0% |
Note: If you have any concerns, you can talk to the vet to plan Fido’s diet.
That aside, you should observe your dog’s progress.
Within 24-48 hours, you must notice an improvement in your pup’s diarrhea.
“How would I know that?”
Experts say Fido’s stools should slowly be back to normal.
Meaning, their poop should be:
- Log shaped.
- Firm and easy to pick up.
- Chocolate brown in color.
But if the bland diet isn’t working at all…
You might still spot signs of diarrhea. Like:
- Foul odor.
- Watery stools.
- Mucus on feces.
- Dark-colored poop.
- Shape inconsistency.
- Reddish stains or blood.
- Abnormal volume of stools.
And if these symptoms are persistent, take your dog to the clinic.
You might also like: What to give dogs when they have diarrhea? 7 Best foods
#5: Visit the vet
According to Dr. Meredith Miller:
Bring Fido to the clinic if these symptoms don’t improve after 48-72 hours:
- Lethargy.
- Vomiting.
- Appetite loss.
- Black or dark stools.
From there, the vet may treat Fido by using:
- Vaccines.
- Oral medication.
- Antibiotic drugs.
- Pain relief medicine.
And if needed, your pup might have to stay at the clinic until they recover.
Now, I did mention in tip #4 that:
You can bring your pooch to the vet after 24-48 hours.
So you might be curious why Dr. Miller gave another timeframe.
Well, it’s because of the treatment.
Since you’re trying to feed Fido with a bland diet…
You should see some changes in their diarrhea within a day or 2.
And a maximum of 48 hours have already passed after that.
Thus, waiting until a total of 3 days is an expected timeframe.
But in the end…
You can always bring Fido to the clinic right away. Especially if their diarrhea symptoms seem severe.