Hi all, this might be a long question but I’m worried and want your thoughts…
Bashful has been acting off, and I’m really not sure of the reason why? He is binkying and zooming around as normal, giving kisses too… But he’s been a little weird here and there!
There are a few things I can think of:
He was neutered a few weeks ago, but when taken for his surgery check up, the vet said he was healed and perfect! He had practically gone back to normal overnight!
We also bought a new Netherland Dwarf a few days ago, as both a birthday present to me and to Bashful, as we thought it was time to get him a friend, some real bunny company!
Bashful and the new bunny seem to be obsessed with each other! I was very hesitant about keeping her temporary cage in my room, and letting them out one by one as she is not spayed yet… But by the end of the first night, Bashful seemed to be grooming her through the bars? (Chewing her fur gently) And by the end of the second night, I found them flopped either side of the cage next to each other… I really want to start the bonding process but also want to wait til she is spayed and healed… But each time I let them out, they seem frustrated that they can’t be together? Whenever I let them roam free, they run instantly to the others cage, usually playing some type of game, wherever Bashful hops, the new bunny hops and chases excitedly, probably the bunny version of tag!
Anyway… It was Bashfuls first birthday yesterday and as a little birthday treat, I bought him some Timothy Hay stickles stick from Pets at Home and some Willow Hay sticks, and he turned his nose up at both, which I thought was a little odd… He is usually hesitant with new things but he definitely wouldn’t have dismissed them entirely? I then offered him a strawberry as they are his favourite, but he hopped away from that also… The only thing he didn’t turn down was his favourite store bought treats that he comes running for if he even slightly hears the bag shake… But even then he took a while eating one!
He also thumped shortly after I put him in his cage yesterday, and I wasn’t sure why, as he never ever normally thumps! He’s only done it once in his life! I thought maybe it was because the new bun was sitting outside his cage and he couldn’t get to her? (His cage is a bigger home built one, unlike her temporary Ferplast cage, and he can’t greet her through the bars of his cage like he can with hers?)
I woke up this morning and all of his vegetables are uneaten, though his little birthday strawberries were finally gone… He was eating hay when I woke, though he hasn’t been eating as much hay lately, even before the neutering? And he still drinks water, though again, not as much as he used to, but that was before neutering too! I also quickly spot cleaned his corner and found that one of his stools were wet and gel like, though there was only one?
Is he acting this way because of the new bunny being in his space, even though he seems to absolutely adore her already? Should I ask mum to keep her in a different room til I can start bonding?
Or could it be because of a poor diet? I know store bought treats are bad for him and they seem to be the only thing he will eat… Should I hold back the treats even though they’re the only thing that seems to interest him??
I’m going to see how he is tonight/tomorrow before I call the vets, I just wanted your opinions!