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My rabbit has orange/red urine. Is this normal or concerning?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Small Animal | Rabbit | Male | unneutered

My rabbit has orange/red urine

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5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on July 4th, 2017

This urine color could be normal, as rabbits can have red/orange urine due to the extretion of plant pigments within the diet. It's also possible it could be caused by a medical illness such as stones/sludge within the urinary tract, cystitis, uterine adencarcinoma, or polyps. Even though it often turns out that the color of the urine is normal due to the excretion of plant pigments, it's still important to have Waffles (love his name!) checked out by a vet to be sure. I would bring him into the vet in the morning for a health check.

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    Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on

    Sometimes, red urine is absolutely normal in rabbits. It can be caused by excretion of porphyrins or plant pigments. Medical causes include urinary tract infection, bladder/kidney stones, tumors or inflammation in the urinary tract. You can have him examined by your veterinarian or by a veterinarian experienced in treating rabbits. A urine sample should be collected and submitted for urinalysis and culture. This may diagnose UTI. Abdominal x-rays may be recommended to diagnose stones or masses.

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    Answered By Mariya Gugel, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on February 8th, 2018

    Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is normal for rabbits to have slightly dark, orange to brown urine. Frank blood is never normal. This color to the urine is due to the natural breakdown products of the plants they eat. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have about Bells!

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    Answered By Jessica Keay, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 31st, 2017

    We can see reddish/orange urine for a variety of reasons in rabbits. Some of these are not cause for concern- such as diet changes (for example eating carrots or spinach in some rabbits can cause a change in urine color). Stress or dehydration can be a cause (perhaps your bunny wasn't drinking as much or was stressed by the travel?). We can also have urinary tract problems such as infection or stones. You can read more about this at http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=18+1803&aid=2839. It is always safest to have a vet examine your bunny to be on the safe side. If this is just due to diet or stress, the color should return to normal in a few days.

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    Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 14th, 2020

    Pigmented urine in rabbits is normal and is related to their diet (carotenes in particular). As long as there is no increase or change in thirst, frequency or straining to urinate then I would not be concerned and would continue to monitor as normal

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