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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BEHAVIOR Bunny Recluse

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    • Shannon
      Participant
      158 posts Send Private Message

        Our bunny used to be very active.  Always out binkying coming right up to us and generally enjoying his time out.  During the morning he was always sweeter and cuddly in the afternoon he was always wanting to be left alone but was still out in the open.  For the past two weeks we have a bunny who barely comes out of his cage (despite the door being open 24/7) and if he does decide to venture out if you even stand up from the couch he just runs back in and probably won’t come out again for the rest of the day.  We have tried only giving him pellets at night outside of his cage (but we have to put them in when we go to bed and that is when he eats them all.)  We have tried only giving him his veggies outside of the cage but he will tear off a big piece and run back in, if no one is holding it and its just sitting on the ground he will take the whole piece into the back corner of his cage.

        I can’t help but think he is terrified.  I would love to make him more comfortable and get him out and around us.  Any suggestions?


      • Bam
        Moderator
        16837 posts Send Private Message

          I would suspect some health issue, unless there is some reason for him to be terrified (like the next door neighbor getting a new dog, a fox that howls in the garden at night etc.)
          How is his appetite? How is his poop (amount, size, color)? How does he react to a gentle tummy rub and how does his tummy feel? (Should be soft and squishy).
          Behavioral changes like this should be regarded as an observandum.


        • Shannon
          Participant
          158 posts Send Private Message

            Bam,
            HE is eating and pooping normal. Normal size/color/ and amount. He has never been one for being held but he tolerates it and when i’ve picked him up lately his tummy as felt as per his usually. (soft) It doesn’t seem to bother him to be touched in the belly either. We live in the country and have always had foxes/deer/possum that come up near our house at night. I haven’t noticed any extra noise lately and Goose has been in the same place in our house since we brought him home 6 months ago.


          • Bam
            Moderator
            16837 posts Send Private Message

              Could it be sth like what puppy-dogs sometimes go through, a period when everything scares them? Like a rustling plastic bag, an unknown tree-stump, strange shadows – my dog had a short period like that some time after hitting puberty. It’s like when they stop being unsuspicious and friendly-to-all littl’uns and begin their journey into adulthood.

              I have read that young ravens also go through a period like that, it’s called neophobia.

              Since you are good with health-matters =) I’m sure you will spot ill health in your bun, if sth like that should prove to be the case. Meanwhile perhaps just let him develop through this stage?

              Perhaps others have much better ideas, I’m sure you’ll get more answers soon from other members!


            • Shannon
              Participant
              158 posts Send Private Message

                Goose must read binky bunny and knew he was hurting my feelings because he has been out a record amount since posting this.


              • Lee
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                  BAM – I was thinking the same thing as you. Dogs go through 2 fear impact stages – one at around 12-16 weeks and one at the time they go from being juvenile to adolescent at around 8 months. It is very likely bunnies go through the same thing as it is a natural progression of the neurological system. Sounds like Goose has recovered now anyways. Yay!


                • Bam
                  Moderator
                  16837 posts Send Private Message

                    Yay for Goose!!!

                    (Thank you Lee, I’d no idea dogs have two such stages!)

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                Forum BEHAVIOR Bunny Recluse