Do rabbits change schedules? Or is this a sign of illness?

[Silly Sungura]

Over the course of the last week, Hodari has shown less and less of a desire to eat her salad, which I have always provided to her in the afternoon; during the same period of time she has also shown less inclination to come out of her cage to play during mid-day. On Friday evening, she didn’t get excited about her pellets either, which is highly unusual. DH hand fed them to her until she felt inclined to start eating them on her own. However, she has still been eating hay with relish. She is making normal poops, drinking plenty of water, and is fairly active during the morning and late evening hours (from 7a.m. to noon; and from 7:30p.m. onward). This morning I gave her her salad, and am letting her sleep this afternoon, since that seems to be what she wants. She had a good appetite for the salad this morning, but when I offered cilantro to her this afternoon, just to see what would happen, she would only eat it if I dangled it in front of her nose.

 

We’ve already called the vet, just in case she is sick. She’ll be going in later this week for a check-up. Other than the lethargy during the afternoon through early evening hours, though, with a decreased interest in food during those hours, she seems relatively normal. She comes back to life after 7:30 p.m., but until then she doesn’t want to be bothered. I am driving myself crazy wondering if she’s sick, and looking for signs. She does seem to be hunching more than normal, especially in her litter box… I was just hoping that maybe she’s responding to a change in seasons or something, because really, sleeping all day is normal for bunnies… Isn’t it?

[jerseygirl]

Ugh, I’m seeing this with one of mine too so I understand your worry. I think they can change a bit with seasonal changes and certainly temperature changes. Is she moulting at all?

How old is Hodari?

[Silly Sungura]

She sheds a little bit all the time, but her coat seems to be growing thicker right now, so I am being even more vigilent about grooming her, in case she’s ingesting too much hair. She is between nine and ten months old. I can’t wait until the vet sees her because just when I think she might be doing better, she starts acting strange again! It’s not an emergency yet, I know, but I am so worried.

[jerseygirl]

That’s interesting because the one I’m seeing it in is also 9 months old.
The fact they do perk up later at least gives us some relief from the worry!

[Silly Sungura]

Yeah. It’s like a roller coaster, though. The vet didn’t really give me any suggestions as to what to do until she can see Hodari; she just seemed to think a check-up was warranted. Are you seeing this behavior for the first time, then? I sure wish we knew what was going on!

[LittlePuffyTail]

I think some mild changes can be normal, like Jersey mentioned possibly due to weather, or even stress. It’s my experience that animals don’t drastically change their habits unless something is wrong so it’s good you made a vet appointment. However, I’ve had my bunnies change from time to time and I worried about it and it turned out to be nothing.

Let us know how it goes.

[TaraMichele]

 I had the same issue! I made a post a few days ago because I was worried as well…Cady just didnt seem himself, he would pick at his salad which was very unusual for him…he also is right around 8-9months!  

[Silly Sungura]

It’s odd that these bunnies are all around the same age. TaraMichele, is Cady doing better now? I sure hope so.

Hodari ate her salad again this morning, but almost all day yesterday she hunched in the back of her cage or in her litter box and didn’t want to move. Even later in the evening, when she finally came out, she seemed groggy and looked weak through the eyes. She played by my side bunching blankets for an hour and kept wanting me to cuddle with her. Then, I got up with her at 3 a.m., and she seemed perfectly fine! I’ll let you know if the vet finds anything wrong. Thanks, guys.

[kamdynandsunshinesmom]

I can honestly say that I feed my rabbits there pellets every morning at 7:30 am then about 9:00 pm everynight they get there veggies. My rabbits love being on a schedule and have been on the same schedule for 5 years. My rabbits during the mid day about 3:00 pm they go to sleep and don’t wake up till about 8:00 pm so i try not to disturb them. I am normaly working this time so it works out perfectly. I try to play with them before and after this time.

[Elrohwen]

Mine do change their schedule a bit with the weather/sunlight changes, so it could be a perfectly normal variation for her.

[Silly Sungura]

That’s encouraging, Elrohwen. I hope that’s all it is. She has gone from taking cat naps during the afternoon to practically hibernating. I miss my bunny! It’s fine, though, if she just wants to be super crepuscular. I will adapt.

[Elrohwen]

Yeah, mine go through periods where they sleep much more during the day than usual, typically in the winter. With mine I’ve always assumed it was some semi-hibernating response like a wild rabbit would do in the winter. I’ve never tried to feed mine in the afternoon, so I don’t know if their sleepiness extends to snubbing food, but it definitely involves snubbing me!

[TaraMichele]

yeah Cady has pretty much gone back to himself, I noticed this morning he had tons of energy, so I was happy to see that. And hes been snubbing his salads much less… It lasted about 2 days…pretty much right around when the temperature dropped here!

[Silly Sungura]

I’m glad Cady is being himself again. Hodari’s behavior seems to have begun when there was a big temperature drop here, too. She seems more reserved with me, also. She doesn’t mind being cuddled, but isn’t returning the affection like she usually does. Will find out in a couple of days if she’s got something wrong with her or not, and that appointment can’t come too soon! I keep examining her for signs of common bunny illnesses, like I’m becoming a bunny-centric hypochondriac.

[Sarita]

I think the change of seasons can change behaviors – days getting longer (more daylight), days getting shorter (less daylight) – those things affect us as well so they can certainly affect our furry friends. I imagine that since Hodari is new to you, you are more sensitive to any changes since you aren’t sure what to expect behavior wise and age wise.

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