My Pet Is Not Eating:
When Should I See Vet?
Here is how urgent it usually is, what may be causing it, and what to do next.
Your rabbit or bearded dragon has stopped eating?
In rabbits, not eating is an emergency. Their gut needs a steady supply of food and can slow down or stop within hours. In bearded dragons, a poor appetite is often linked to temperature or lighting, but it still needs a vet check, especially if your dragon is losing weight or seems weak.
- Your rabbit has not eaten or passed droppings for 12 hours or more
- Your rabbit is hunched, grinding its teeth or has a swollen belly
- Your bearded dragon is very weak or cannot lift its head
- Your bearded dragon has a swollen belly or is straining without passing anything
- Your pet has collapsed or is breathing with its mouth open
Closed on Tuesday
ExoCare is not a 24-hour hospital. Outside these hours, please contact the nearest 24-hour veterinary hospital.
What to do in an emergencyRabbit Not Eating
Why it is serious
A rabbit's gut is built to keep moving all day on a steady supply of hay. When a rabbit stops eating, the gut can slow down, which may lead to a painful condition called GI stasis.
Common causes
- Dental problems, such as overgrown teeth or sharp spurs
- Pain anywhere in the body
- Stress, such as a move, a new pet or loud noise
- A diet that is too low in hay
- A gut that has already started to slow down
Signs that often come with it
- Smaller, fewer or no droppings
- Sitting hunched or not wanting to move
- Grinding teeth, which can be a sign of pain
- A bloated or hard belly
- Hiding more than usual
What to do now
- Contact us straight away and tell us when your rabbit last ate
- Collect any recent droppings to bring with you
- Keep your rabbit warm and quiet, with fresh hay and water nearby
Please do not force-feed your rabbit or give any medicine unless a veterinarian has advised it. Some causes, such as a blockage, can be made worse by the wrong treatment.
Bearded Dragon Not Eating
Why it matters
Bearded dragons rely on warmth from their enclosure to digest food. When they are unwell, they slow down and eat less, and the signs can be easy to miss until they have already lost weight.
Common causes
- A basking area that is too cold
- Old or missing UVB lighting
- Impaction, where food or substrate blocks the gut
- Calcium problems, which can affect bones and muscles
- Egg-related problems in females
- Parasites
Signs that often come with it
- Weight loss or a thinner tail base
- Sunken eyes
- Low energy or sleeping more than usual
- Shaking or twitching
- A swollen belly, or no droppings
What to do now
- Contact us and tell us how long the appetite has been down
- Check and photograph the basking temperature and UVB lamp
- Bring the photos, and a recent dropping if you have one
Brumation or illness? Some bearded dragons slow down and eat less for a period, known as brumation. Because illness can look very similar, please only assume brumation after a vet check, and never if your dragon is losing weight.
What to Bring to Your Visit?
A secure, warm carrierLine it with a towel and keep it covered on the way.
Recent droppingsA fresh sample helps us check how the gut is working.
Diet detailsWhat your pet usually eats, and when it last ate.
Enclosure photosFor reptiles, show the basking temperature and UVB lamp.
Medicines givenAny medicines or supplements, even if they are over the counter.
A short videoIf your pet is behaving oddly, a video can help us a lot.
Dr. Asma Fariha
Veterinary Surgeon · MVC Reg. No. 3362
Dr. Asma monitors valve disease over time, because staging is what determines when treatment should begin.
What People Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Bring your pet in a secure, warm carrier with any recent droppings and details of its diet. For reptiles, photos of the enclosure temperatures and lighting are very helpful.
Please only do this if a veterinarian has advised it. Some causes, such as a blockage, can be made worse by feeding before an examination.
It is often linked to enclosure temperature, UVB lighting or diet, but illness such as impaction or parasites can also cause it. Bring photos of the set-up to your visit.
Please do not wait to find out. If your rabbit has not eaten or passed droppings for 12 hours or more, contact a veterinarian straight away.
The two can look very similar, so it is safest to have a vet check first. If your dragon is losing weight, it should not be treated as brumation.
Common causes include dental problems, pain, stress and a slowed-down gut. A veterinary examination is needed to find the actual cause.