As a rabbit owner, you want your pet to be well. Especially you want to avoid that the rabbit gets hurt or even dies. A particularly horrible thought is that rabbits might explode for some reason. Maybe because they overeat or have a disease. But can rabbits explode at all?
Rabbits can certainly explode, but it is very unlikely. They won’t explode if you take care of them and keep them species-appropriate. Rabbits cannot explode from overeating, for example. In principle, it can only happen if their bodies become bloated due to a disease or if an animal abuser puts them in the microwave.
So naturally, rabbits are very unlikely to explode. And it should really be known to everyone that you should never put pets in the microwave! If not, I’ll be happy to tell you again. Rabbits and any other pet should never be put in the microwave! That would lead to a very agonizing death!
Let’s take a closer look at why rabbits can explode. And also why rabbits can’t explode from overeating.
Where Does the Question of Whether Rabbits Can Explode Come From?
That is quite an interesting question. Perhaps the feeding behavior of rabbits leads people to ask this question. Rabbits are known to spend a lot of time eating.
But maybe the question comes from a computer game.
The game Maniac Mansion* was released in 1987 and was a great success. In my opinion, it was actually one of the best games of all time.
In this game, there was a possibility to put a hamster in a microwave. The hamster then exploded, of course.
Thinking about exploding hamsters, the question of exploding rabbits is not so far away. And, after all, it’s always a good idea in principle to find out about the well-being of your pets.
Why Rabbits Can’t Explode From Overeating
Rabbits live to eat and to socialize. They are busy almost all day looking for and consuming their food.
Rabbits have a thin-walled stomach and a long intestine with little peristalsis. So, to put it simply, digestion works better when new food pushes the food mush forward. Therefore, rabbits need to eat many small meals throughout the day.
So it is not unusual for rabbits to eat often. It’s just part of their natural behavior. And it’s even beneficial for them because their digestive system works better this way.
Of course, rabbits can also get obese. This happens when they are fed the wrong food and get too much of it. The rabbits don’t care how much food they get. They also have a sense of satiety, but will happily accept a rich food supply.
Therefore, it is important that you know how to feed your rabbits. Do not give them too one-sided food, but offer them a choice of different grasses, hay, vegetables, and twigs.
The rabbits will pick out what provides them with the important nutrients from the varied food offered. However, they will not overeat to the point of exploding.
Is My Baby Bunny Eating Too Much?
The offspring of rabbits also need sufficient food. So do not be surprised that your baby rabbits will also eat often and relatively much.
As with humans, baby rabbits need to grow. And they can only do this if they take in enough nutrients. In relation to their body weight, baby rabbits will eat more than adult rabbits.
The baby rabbit will also not explode from this, but simply grow and gain weight. It is a good sign if your baby rabbits have a big belly.
The same is true for baby rabbits as for adult rabbits. They need a balanced diet with different ingredients from which they get the nutrients that are important for them.
So remember to provide a varied diet for your rabbits and especially for your baby rabbits.
What Can Cause a Rabbit to Explode?
Rabbits, like all animals and also humans, can be affected by tumors. Not every tumor is equally bad.
Malignant tumors can grow relatively quickly in rabbits. If your rabbit is affected, you will eventually be able to see and feel the tumor.
Certain tumors continue to grow even when there is no more space in the rabbit’s body. Presumably, the rabbit would die from such a tumor before that, but theoretically, it is possible for a tumor to grow so large that the rabbit’s body explodes.
As I said, it is very unlikely that such a thing would happen. But that does not mean that it is impossible. And many tumors are not so bad that it can happen at all.
But basically, you should always pay attention to the health of your rabbits. If you notice anything unusual, you should always take your rabbit to a vet. He can examine the rabbit and tell you if there is something wrong with it. He will also recommend the right therapy if there are problems.
What Tumors Are Typical for Rabbits?
Rabbits can have many different types of tumors. But this is true for any animal. However, there are some types of tumors that are more common in rabbits.
In the following list, you will find some malignant tumors that are more common in rabbits. These tumor types all need to be treated by a vet.
- Bone tumors
- Skin tumors
- Organ tumors
In addition, rabbits can also get more harmless tumors such as cysts and abscesses. However, these are usually not fatal and are also not very common in rabbits.
How to Treat Tumors in Rabbits?
Tumors must always be examined by a vet and treated if necessary. It is possible that the vet will surgically remove a tumor.
A tissue examination in the laboratory can then also determine whether the tumor is benign or malignant.
In the best case, the problem is solved by surgical intervention. If not, your vet will suggest further treatment options.
Rabbits Will Explode in a Microwave
Another cause for rabbits to explode would be if you put them in the microwave. But I want to tell you right away that such a thing would be the most heinous cruelty to animals. Don’t even think about trying that.
The rabbit or any other animal would die an agonizing and horrible death. And you would have a hard time ever forgetting that horrible sight and pitiful sounds.
But since this is such an important thing, in the next chapter we will take a closer look at what would happen if you put a rabbit in the microwave.
Why You Should Never Put Pets in a Microwave
I want to make it very clear again: You should never put live animals in a microwave! Under no circumstances! Never!
Microwaves are deadly for any living creature. The microwave heats up water molecules. Since living beings consist mainly of water, the water in the body would then heat up.
This would cause the blood and other body fluids to start boiling. Can you imagine how painful that would be? I don’t even want to imagine it.
Hot fluid expands. But there is a restriction in the rabbit’s head, and that is the skull bone. The boil would eventually no longer withstand the pressure and burst. The result is that the rabbit explodes.
But the rabbit would probably die an agonizing death before that. A really bad death. Therefore, I would like to say it again: Living creatures must never be microwaved!
Conclusion: Can Rabbits Explode?
Fortunately, rabbits are very unlikely to explode. They can not explode due to overeating.
However, there are very unlikely cases of untreated tumors that could cause your rabbit to explode. However, this would require you to leave the tumor untreated for a very long time.
A microwave oven can also cause a rabbit to explode. As mentioned several times before, you should never put rabbits or other living creatures in a microwave oven.
That would lead to a horrible death that no one in their right mind would wish on a rabbit.
So, all in all, if you keep and feed your rabbits properly, you don’t have to worry about any of them ever exploding.
Nevertheless, watch out for signs of tumors and if you suspect anything, you’d better see a veterinarian quickly. It is important to be better too fast than too late.
Then your rabbits should be able to live a long and happy rabbit life with you.
