08/24/2026
Sharing from East Coast Rabbit Rescue. Bunnies can't have seeds in their diets. Guinea pigs cannot either. If you have this kind of food, please begin to transition to a plain pellet. Oxbow Animal Health and Sherwood Pet Health make excellent quality food!
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We were recently contacted by a family who generously offered to donate some supplies after their beloved bunny passed away.
Whenever we receive donations like this, we ask if they could share the cause of death if it is known.
We were heartbroken and shocked when we learned what had happened to their bunny. 😞💔
After spending approximately $4,000 on emergency veterinary care and surgery, their precious bunny sadly did not survive. 😞
The family has given us permission to share their painful experience in the hope that other rabbit parents can learn from it and potentially prevent another tragedy.
They had been feeding their rabbit a pellet mix that contained seeds.
During surgery, the veterinarian removed an undigested seed that had become lodged in the bunny’s small intestine. They hoped she would recover, but unfortunately, she passed away. 💔According to the family, a necropsy later confirmed that the intestinal blockage was caused by an undigested seed.💔💔
What makes this especially upsetting is that many products marketed as “complete & balanced” rabbit food contain seeds, corn, colorful pieces, and other ingredients that may lead rabbit owners to believe they are appropriate.
We cannot blame this family. The package had a picture of a rabbit on it.
It is completely understandable that someone would assume a product specifically marketed for rabbits is safe for rabbits.
A good-quality rabbit pellet should be uniform and should not contain whole seeds, corn kernels, dried peas, nuts, or colorful treat pieces. Rabbits have a specialized herbivorous digestive system designed primarily for a high-fiber diet. Hard, indigestible pieces can contribute to serious gastrointestinal problems, including potentially life-threatening obstruction.
Please be especially cautious with foods containing whole seeds or hard hulls. If you are unsure whether a food or treat is appropriate for your rabbit, speak with a rabbit-savvy veterinarian rather than relying solely on the picture or marketing on the package.
Please help us share this family’s story and educate other bunny parents. Something being sold for rabbits does not automatically mean it is a good or safe choice for them.
Our deepest condolences and gratitude go to this family for allowing us to share such a painful experience in the hope that it may help save another bunny.
