10/14/2026
GI Stasis Series, Part 2: Common Causes and Triggers. 🐇
If you missed Part 1, the most important thing to understand about GI stasis is that it is not a disease or disorder in itself. It is a secondary response, a symptom of something else happening in your rabbit's body.
That means identifying the underlying trigger is everything.
Some of the most common causes include:
🌿 Pain, including dental disease, which is frequently overlooked until it has already caused significant problems
🌿 Stress from environmental changes, loss of a bonded partner, loud noises, or disruptions to routine
🌿 Insufficient diet, particularly a lack of hay and fiber, which are essential for keeping the gut moving
🌿 Gas and bloating, which cause discomfort and can significantly slow gut motility
🌿 Dehydration, which affects the movement of gut contents
🌿 Underlying illness, including infections, organ issues, and parasites
One important note on gas and bloating specifically: this is why syringe feeding during a stasis episode can actually be dangerous without veterinary guidance.
If your rabbit has a blockage or bloat, force feeding can make things significantly worse. We will cover this in detail in a future installment of the series.
As always, if your rabbit is showing signs of stasis, a rabbit-savvy vet should always be your first call.
Save this post and follow along for Part 3, where we cover how to recognize GI stasis early. 🌿
