So, you’re thinking about what could happen if you eat rabbit poop.
Whether it be a question of survival or pure curiosity…
Let me give you an insight into why you shouldn’t let that thought win over you.
Continue reading to find out:
- Whether rabbit poop is toxic to humans.
- 5 convincing reasons why you should never eat rabbit poop.
- 3 alarming zoonotic diseases that you can get from eating rabbit droppings.
- And much, much more…
Is rabbit poop toxic to humans?
Rabbit poop isn’t toxic to humans.
However, most evidence points out some rare risks in eating rabbit poop.
That said, it’s uncommon for a human to get sick because of it.
And some even take this as bunny feces not being harmful at all.
But the chances are still there. Because low risk isn’t equal to zero.
For one, rabbit poop carries many parasites. According to the MSD Vet Manual, those are:
- Pinworms.
- Coccidiosis.
- Larval worm infection.
Luckily, those parasites are host-specific.
So even though your fur baby has it, and you eat their poop…
The parasite will just pass through your gastrointestinal tract.
However, you can transmit it to another animal who can be affected.
So regardless of being non-toxic, rabbit poop remains dangerous to humans. And even to other animals.
Why you should never eat rabbit poop – 5 reasons
#1: It won’t be a satisfying experience
First of all, there are 2 kinds of rabbit poop.
Regardless, they’re both yucky. So, you won’t enjoy eating them at all.
And to understand further, let me introduce to you:
The 2 types of rabbit poop
Cecotropes or cecal pellets
To start, these have a shiny, black appearance. So, they look like a wet cluster of grapes.
Now, you won’t usually see this type of poop lying around. Even if your rabbit poops everywhere.
That’s because they eat cecotropes. And it’s a normal thing for them to do so.
So, your bunny will pop them out. Then, chew their own poop a little before swallowing.
“Why do they do that?”
No matter how horrible it sounds…
Rabbits must do it to get the essential nutrients from the cecotropes. I’m talking about protein and B vitamins.
Now, if you’re thinking of eating this type of rabbit poop…
Here’s what you must remember:
- They’re wet and chewy, plus they smell.
- You’ll rarely find cecotropes lying around (your bunny ate them before you can).
That said, can you really enjoy these cecal pellets? With those conditions, I doubt it.
Continue reading: 9 Weird Reasons Why Rabbits Eat Their Own Poop + 9 Tips
Rabbit pellet poo
Right after cecotropes, your bunny will expel dry and compact pellets.
And your bunny usually pops out about 300 of these every day.
Now, these are the kind of droppings that you’ll see lying around. Because, this time, your fur baby will no longer eat them.
Compared to cecotropes, these pellets aren’t clustered.
And they look like cocoa puffs. So I get why that can be a little tempting.
It might not smell, but the texture is chalky. Which some people won’t appreciate.
Reading tip: Rabbit Poop Chart: 13 Different Types Of Bunny Poop
#2: It has no nutritional value
As I mentioned, cecotropes offer a little bit of proteins and B vitamins.
Now, the amount of those nutrients is enough for your rabbit.
But for you, they’ll barely touch the surface of your needed nutrition. So, it won’t matter if you ate them or not.
Then there are the dry rabbit droppings.
And unlike the first ones, they don’t offer any nutrients.
So if you eat them, you won’t gain anything at all.
That said, I really don’t recommend you eat rabbit poop.
Some people even ask me if they can turn to bunny droppings for survival purposes.
My answer to that is still a firm no.
You can’t eat it for sustenance. Remember those bunny droppings won’t help you. Whether it be cecotropes or dry pellets.
#3: Rabbit poop can get dirty
It doesn’t matter where your fur baby poops…
And whether they’re a clean bunny or not…
Their poop will get dirty once it touches the ground.
The USDA reveals that you can find up to 1 billion bacteria in a teaspoon of soil.
Moreover, there are 4 kinds of bacteria. But I won’t talk about each one of them.
Instead, I bet you’ve heard about pathogens. It’s a type of bacteria that causes harmful diseases in humans.
Then, according to research…
Most bacterial infections in humans are due to contaminated soil. Those are:
- Legionella.
- Shigella spp.
- Escherichia coli.
- Salmonella enterica.
- Mycobacterium leprae.
And despite these bacteria being rarely contagious…
When you acquire any of them, you can face many possible diseases. From gastrointestinal upset to pneumonia.
“But my rabbit doesn’t poop in the grass outside.”
Well, there are always your shoes.
When you walk around the house wearing them for some reason…
The bacteria they caught from outside can be transferred to your floor.
And if your fur baby walks past these bacteria, they can catch the pathogens.
Then, they’ll expel the harmful microorganisms from their poop…
So I’ll definitely think twice if you’re considering eating your rabbit’s droppings.
#4: It can be mixed with a bit of rabbit urine
As I said before, humans rarely get sick due to rabbit droppings. But that doesn’t mean you’re not in danger when you eat them.
Because what if urine’s involved?
One scenario where that can happen is when your bunny poops and pees in the same place.
Now, bunny urine is the one that’s dangerous for humans.
Among many risks, it can contain the harmful E. cuniculi.
According to research, that’s a parasite. And your rabbit might host it without being sick.
More importantly, your bunny can transfer it to you.
So, when you handle a contaminated area where they peed…
You risk getting encephalitozoonosis.
Now, most people can easily recover from that disease. But if you’re immunocompromised, the risk is higher for you.
With that, you might experience the following clinical symptoms:
- Sinusitis.
- Diarrhea.
- Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver).
- Nephritis (inflammation of the kidney).
- Keratoconjunctivitis (inflammation in the eyes).
#5: Your bunny’s poop might be carrying a disease-causing bacteria
Although, research says that rabbits only carry low numbers of pathogens…
You’ll be exposed to the following if ever you consume their poop:
#1: Salmonella
This bacteria causes the illness called salmonellosis.
When you get it, the CDC says you’ll experience:
- Fever.
- Diarrhea.
- Stomach cramps.
Those symptoms can last 4 to 7 days.
#2: Campylobacter
It’s very rare to catch this disease through eating rabbit poop.
That’s because the most straightforward way to get it is by eating rabbit meat.
However, the bacteria could still get to your bunny’s poop. That’s if an infected animal comes in contact with the droppings.
And when it gets transmitted to you…
Here are the symptoms that you’ll have to face:
- Fever.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Stomach pain.
- (Bloody) diarrhea.
Moreover, severe cases can lead to other complications. Which is usually in the form of another concerning gastrointestinal issue.
Did you know: In the United States alone, there are about 1.5 million cases of Camplobacter.
#3: Escherichia coli
Anything that E. coli touches is a danger.
So, if it’s present in your rabbit’s poop and you eat it…
You’ll end up struggling with:
- Fever.
- Stomach cramps.
- (Bloody) diarrhea.
Warning: CDC says that up to 10% of people infected with E. coli develop HUS. That’s a life-threatening condition that stands for hemolytic umeric syndrome. Which can then cause serious kidney problems.