Rabbits can go three to five days without a drink.
Rabbit survival depends on age, condition of the rabbit, temperature, and humidity.
Young rabbits may die after three days without water because their kidneys cannot concentrate urine sufficiently. But older rabbits can survive much longer periods without water because they do not need to conserve as much body fluid or urine concentration. They can rely on their food for fluids over these periods.
Pregnant do need lots of water in the early stages of pregnancy, but they do not need to drink as much water as lactating does.
So, in general, a rabbit can go without water for 3-5 days without any serious health consequences. However, it is always important to provide your bunny with fresh water and hay daily!
FAQS
Q: Should I free feed fresh hay?
A: No. Rabbits can’t digest hay efficiently when it’s constantly available like that, leading to gastrointestinal (GI) stasis which is life-threatening. It’s best to limit hay consumption to two cups per day per adult rabbit. This should be given in at least 3-4 servings, depending on how your rabbit eats. Feed hay as a snack in the morning and evening, and offer a small amount (1/4 cup or less) of fresh vegetables as a side dish at lunchtime.
Q: How much water do rabbits need per day?
A: Lactating does need about 8-12 liters of water per day. Pregnant do need lots of water in the early stages of pregnancy, but they do not need to drink as much water as lactating does.
Q: What are some signs that rabbits have too little or too much water?
A: A rabbit is dehydrated when his eyes don’t look shiny and he has dry or no feces. If a rabbit drinks too much water, it will have very wet feces and will pass a lot of urine. This is also called polyuria.