Cecotropes (also caecotropes, cecotrophs, caecotrophs, cecal pellets, soft feces, or night feces) are a nutrient-filled package created in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that is expelled and eaten by many animals (such as rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, hamsters, and chinchillas) to obtain more nutrients out of their food.

Dec 20, 2023 · A key feature of their dietary adaptation is the production of cecotropes—special droppings that rabbits consume directly from the anus before digestion. Unlike regular waste …

Cecotropes are the second type of rabbit dropping that they need to re-ingest in order to gain proteins and nutrients from their high-fiber diet. Most of the time, rabbits will eat these dropping directly out of their anus.

What are cecotropes? Cecotropes, also called 'night feces' or 'soft feces,' are the material resulting from the fermentation of food in a part of the digestive system called the 'cecum.' Cecotropes, which are nutrient-rich, are passed out of the body but are then reingested by the animal so additional nutrients can be absorbed.

Oct 4, 2024 · Cecotropes, also referred to as night feces, are a specific kind of poop that is different than regular rabbit stools. Cecotropes are softer, stickier, and are usually not even seen by a rabbit owner, because a rabbit often consumes them almost as they are exiting the body.

A rabbit suffering from cecal dysbiosis will produce cecotropes that are mushy, pasty or even liquid. They are usually quite foul-smelling, and often stick to the bunny’s back end in great, nasty clumps.

Feb 11, 2025 · Cecotropes, often referred to as night droppings or cecal pellets, are a unique and vital component of a rabbit’s digestive process. They are not simply waste products, but rather a special type of fecal matter that rabbits produce and then re-ingest.

Mar 13, 2025 · Understanding why rabbits produce cecotropes, and what causes an overproduction or the failure to consume them, is crucial for every rabbit owner. In essence, cecotropes are soft, nutrient-rich fecal matter that rabbits re …

Mar 19, 2025 · Cecotropes, on the other hand, are nutrient-rich, soft, moist, and grape-like clusters that rabbits produce and re-ingest as part of their digestive process. The fundamental difference lies in their function and composition.

Cecal pellets, or cecotropes, are eliminated from the body but carry vital nutrients and beneficial bacteria and fungi that help the rabbit maintain healthy digestion. They are dark brown, glossy with mucous, and often clustered together like grapes. These cecotropes are reingested by the rabbit and processed again to absorb all those good things.