Any caring owner is worried about a change in the pet's health or well-being. The first indicator of problems is the color of urine. In a healthy rabbit, it is straw-colored, but when it begins to change color to red or dark brown, this indicates a malnutrition or illness. Below we consider the most common causes of this problem.
What color should be urine in rabbits normal
In normal condition, the color of urine in rabbits has a bright yellow, straw color. Usually it is a little muddy, as toxins are removed from the body along with it. Urine in a healthy individual is also distinguished by medium transparency.
If it begins to change color to darker, becomes red, but no other symptoms are observed, then you should not worry. But if a rabbit loses its appetite, there are unusual discharge, breathing changes, or there is an increase in temperature - this may indicate diseases and other health problems.
It will be useful for you to read about what eye, skin and ear diseases can affect the rabbit's body.
Why do rabbits have urine of unusual color?
Most often, it changes its color to red, orange or brown. Also, the appearance of white, turbid, milky, opaque urine is often observed. It can be with sediment, admixture of mucus or blood, sand. We will understand each problem separately.
Red
The most common problem is the presence of red pigment in the secretions. Particularly often, complaints are found in the period of cold weather, especially in winter. First of all, the host may think that the color changes due to the presence of blood, but in fact the red feces are a frequent problem, whereas the blood in them is not such a common pathology. 
The most common cause of red urine is an excess of beta-carotene or porphyrin in food or feed. These are features of the body that processes such components.
In decorative breeds and pets, this problem is sometimes triggered by the inclusion of spruce or pine twigs in the diet. The change is not of a permanent nature and usually goes away within a few days on its own, especially if you change the type of feed.
It is not worth worrying if such a misfortune struck only one rabbit - it simply speaks about the peculiarities of the body’s work, and not about the presence of some dangerous infection in the livestock.
Important! But if there is a decrease in appetite, lethargy and weakness or, conversely, too much increase in activity, then you should definitely contact a specialist. And it should be done as soon as possible!
Another cause of red is antibiotics or other medicines. They tend to increase pigmentation. Sometimes the body reacts to abrupt changes in care and maintenance (stress, change of residence, temperature changes).
With blood
To determine the specific presence of blood in the urine accurately can only the doctor after the examination and relevant tests. This usually indicates pathological changes in the body or infectious lesions.
The most common causes are:
- urinary polyps;
- stones and sand in the kidneys;
- infectious lesions of the urinary tract and the above organs;
- blood may appear due to urinary dermatitis. In this case, the treatment is urgent.
The blood in feces from females can result from contact with the genital tract.
Then the cause may be:
- uterine polyps;
- hyperplasia;
- erosion of the uterus;
- endometrial infectious diseases;
- miscarriage or termination of pregnancy.
Important! To determine the presence of blood at home can be on the following signs: uneven staining, varying degrees of intensity in different places, the presence of clear forms or drops, perhaps the presence of a small amount of mucus. If there is a suspicion of any disease, Contact a specialist immediately.If suspicions fall on vaginal diseases, then just examine the female - the blood will be visible on the external genitals. In addition, in the urine, it will stand out from the general background. In this case, you should also consult a doctor for consultation and determination of the problem.
Dark (brown) with sediment
Rabbits very often suffer from urolithiasis. It is she who most often causes this symptom. A high content of calcium in muscles and tissues, an insufficient amount of water can provoke the appearance or exacerbation of the disease.
If the color has changed to dark or brown and does not disappear for quite a long time, and the sediment is clearly visible even with the naked eye - this should cause concern. If untreated, this pathology can be fatal.
Learn what to do if the rabbit has become fat, why the eyes of a rabbit are watery, why the rabbit grunts and breathes heavily, and what vitamins to give to rabbits and how to improve the immunity of rabbits.
Also, brown feces can be the result of too much beets, carrots or spinach in the diet. This color may appear as a result of dehydration and heat or sunstroke. It becomes not only very dark, but also has a very strong peculiar smell. With these symptoms, you should contact the clinic for the treatment of dehydration, as it causes irreversible changes.
Muddy, whitish color
A hazy and whitish urine may appear from time to time, this is within the normal range, as this indicates an excess of calcium in the body. It will not be completely transparent. 
It is also quite normal if milky-colored feces appear. Drying, a whitish precipitate appears. It is also associated with crystalluria, which is the physiological feature of all rabbits.
Orange
This color may appear as a result of stress, changes in feeding, and the use of medications. This is also within the normal range. Usually, later, the stool again becomes a straw, lighter color.
Did you know? A rabbit weighing 2 kilograms can drink as much water as an adult dog weighing 10 kilograms.
With mucus or sediment in the form of sand
Mucus in the urine indicates the presence of urolithiasis, especially if there is a sediment in the form of sand. Sometimes it is just a symptom of a lack of water in the body, you should add more greenery and fresh food, provide enough drinking water - the problem will disappear by itself.
The mucus in the urine suggests that it is a discharge from the vagina, especially if it is white and viscous. You should not worry either. 
Rabbit cage bedding with excrement residues
Why does the rabbit drink its urine
A similar phenomenon can be observed in almost all animals. They begin to drink or lick their own urine if the body’s salt or mineral balance is disturbed. Look closely at the feces themselves: if they are transparent (meaning too transparent) and of a bright yellow or light color, this indicates a lack of calcium in the body.
There is a perception that such a habit may be the result of inflammation or the presence of epithelium in the urine, but, according to veterinarians, such behavior is noted outside of the norm. In any case, if anxiety does not go away or other disturbing symptoms are observed, feel free to consult a doctor and get tested.
Read more about why rabbits gnaw a wooden cage.
Prevention
In order to avoid problems with the urinary system, you should follow a few very simple rules:
- provide your pet constant free access to water;
- try to use not only dry feed and feed, do not overdo it with salt while cooking cereals;
- Be sure to include in the diet fresh vegetables (potatoes, carrots, cabbage, beets and others);
- give the rabbit fresh greens in sufficient quantity or hay in winter;
- try to avoid excess calcium in the diet;
- maintain good conditions of pets, avoid temperature drops, drafts, stress.
Maintaining cleanliness in the aviary or cages, applying a balanced diet, providing the rabbits with everything you need, you can create optimal conditions for the life and health of pets.
In addition, such simple rules will allow the prevention of the appearance of inflammatory processes in the kidneys or bladder, which most often provoke the occurrence of such unpleasant symptoms.
Did you know? A rabbit can really die from fear. Scared to death, he may, for example, with a sudden attack of a predator.
If you have found a change in urine color in your pet, try to look closely, perhaps because of poorly chosen food or conditions. Usually, this problem resolves itself after a few days.
But if it has a permanent character, the rabbit does not behave as usual, it is sluggish, the appetite disappears, there is a fever or anxiety - be sure to consult a specialist, because only he will be able to determine the exact cause of the appearance of this symptom.
