Blood in rabbits urine ?

[Josh45640]

My wife has a large mix breed rabbit that stays in a pen with a tray on the bottom. I noticed today that it has blood inn the urine. What could cause this? He always has plenty of water and he spends all day in the yard munching on grass nd clover as long as it isn't raining. When it starts to get dark, I put him back and give him some rabbit food and a little bit of Timothy hay. Other than the blood he seems healthy.

 

[Akane]

Rabbits pee orange and red all the time. Fresh foods can cause it or some rabbits will pee dark just because of some sudden cool weather.

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-1/red-urine.html

Unless there are other symptoms like straining to pee, lethargy, lack of appetite, etc... there is no reason to be concerned.

 

[Anianna]

Quote:
Agreed. It's quite common for rabbits to have orange or red urine.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Aye, they have high mineral levels in their urine which cause these colors...and can also make it hard to clean their pans.

It's why many resort to wire or find they need a good descaler. Red urine is commonly mistaken for blood in rabbits, kind of how porphyrin often scares pet rat owners! So breath easy. Unless your bun is showing signs of pain (is. Rough coat, grinding teeth often, stiffly hunched posture, etc), all is well.

 

[AinaWGSD]

If he's getting a lot of clover, that would be my guess. Alfalfa can cause their urine to be very red-tinged, and clover is in the same family as alfalfa (both are legumes). Rabbits can get bladder/kidney stones and urinary tract infections, but it is fairly uncommon. If he shows any signs of pain or decreased appetite, then it's time to take him to the vet. But if he's acting normally and seems otherwise healthy it's a pretty safe bet that the color you're seeing is normal and not blood.

 

[Josh45640]

Thanks guys. He eats a ton of clover so your responses make complete sense. He dosent act any different than he ever has. I appriciate the help, I was afraid that I was gonna have to eat him....lol