GI stasis is when the gut of a rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla or degu slows or stops moving — a genuine emergency, signalled by an animal that stops eating and passing droppings.
It’s often triggered by pain, stress, dehydration or a low-fibre diet, and can become fatal within hours as gas and bacteria build up. Prevention is a constant supply of hay; treatment is urgent veterinary care.
The single most protective habit is watching daily eating and droppings — no droppings for more than about 12 hours means see a vet the same day.