My old rabbit has orange urine. Is this normal or diet-related?

Question

Recently the color of my elderly male rabbit's urine has become a bright orange, spare am. It's neither sludgy nor smelly. A.M.= typically eats Timothy hay pellets & corn kernels, PM=Timothy Hay, Cilantro, Chard, w/rotation of: red bell ppr, dandelion greens, arugula, spinach, occasional parsley. Small pcs of apple every other a.m. Had cpl small pcs of raw pineapple 3 days in a row nearly 2 wks ago. Cld any of these foods be causing his urine to change color or, worse, cause organ failure? Pet's info: Small Animal | Rabbit | Male | neutered | 14 years and 10 months old | 5 lbs

Elva Ma DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question. It's amazing to hear Rusty is almost 15! If all the foods you mentioned are regular items in his diet, it is unlikely that any of them are a cause for the orange urine. Sometimes if urine is left out to oxidize in air (i.e. he peed on the floor instead of in the litter box), it can turn a reddish-orange colour. If Rusty is otherwise acting, eating, and pooping normally, I would keep an eye on him for now. If any of these behaviours change, I would recommend taking him to the vet. They can test his urine sample for any evidence of abnormal crystals or bacteria, and also assess the concentration of his urine to ensure his kidneys are functioning normally. His diet seems just fine. The only thing I would be cautious of is not to feed spinach too often, which it doesn't seem like you are doing since it is in rotation with other veggies. Spinach in large quantities can cause calcium crystals to form in the urine. I hope this helps, and that Rusty is happy and healthy!

My old rabbit has orange urine. Is this normal or diet-related?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

What fish dog food helps dry skin if my dog eats Science Diet?

What's the best way to feed my hamster when I'm going on a trip?

Can chickens eat bell peppers daily and what about veggie salads?

Is Purina Layer Pellets good for chickens? What other feeds exist?

My newly adopted pet won't eat hay. What can I do to encourage it?

My mice eat all their food together from one bowl. Is this normal?

Share