Rabbit sleeping in strange positions

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This topic has 3sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 9 months ago by LBJ10.

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- 02/16/2016 at 11:24 AM
  Asutt
  Participant
  28 posts
  As I’ve mentioned before on here, my rabbit has been acting a little weird lately- no binkying, no flopping onto his side or stretching his legs out when he sleeps (just the loaf). Well today I noticed him in two very unusual looking positions and I’m wondering if they’re a cause for concern or merely a bunny sleep potion that I am unaware of.
  
  The first odd position (pictured) he is in his black litter tray and has his back legs fully extended but tucked under him.. Literally his back leg is stretched under him so the tips of his back feet reach his head (almost like he is doubled over). (pictured)
  
  The second odd position, he looks like he is in the loaf position in his dirt box but his head is almost completely turned around to face his back. (also pictured).
  
  Are these normal sleeping positions for rabbits? (I haven’t had a rabbit since I was younger so can’t remember what’s normal or not) Or an indication that something is wrong? pain etc.
  
  PS: Sorry for the mess in the photos, tomorrow is cleaning day.
- 02/16/2016 at 12:14 PM
  Bam
  Moderator
  16964 posts
  I have never seen a rabbit sleep in those positions, but that of course means nothing. As always with bunnies, the best indicators of health/illness are appetite and poop size and amount and quality.
  
  Sometimes a bunny can rest in weird positions if it has gas. That is generally accompanied by a decrease in appetite though. You can try to give a very gentle tummy massage like in this instruction-video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnuxGLa2reg
  A bunny that’s experiencing gas pain will often let you massage his tummy. You can sit him in your lap. Baby gas drops (simethicone) might help with gas and it’s safe to give.
- 02/16/2016 at 12:23 PM
  Asutt
  Participant
  28 posts
  He hasn’t really had anything that would give him gas lately. He had broccoli two days ago but that’s it. Since then he’s had kale, rocket, spinach and red pepper. To my knowledge those don’t give rabbits gas and he’s had them before. I will give him a stomach massage anyway just in case. His poop and appetite seem perfectly fine.
- 02/16/2016 at 2:13 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17026 posts
  Sometimes strange sleeping positions are normal when they are normal for that individual. Wooly, for example, will fall asleep in a load position and will allow himself to sort of slump to one side. It’s just normal for him. Leopold never does that.
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