Your profile photo is too cute! They are good at flopping and napping like that. had a lop the same colour as Monty.

His diet sounds great but there is always a chance there is something in there (even if healthy) that he is not reacting well too. Do you recall what Monty was eating before adoption?

What type of litter does he have? Do you ever see him eat some of it?

What about access to cardboard?  It’s really common to give our bunnies cardboard boxes and toys. Some rabbits will eat it and it’s no big deal. But it can cause some problems for others.

It sounds like he has been used to greens then.

I think what i’ll do is keep the greens really basic and then slowly introduce them?

It couldnt hurt to try…

What typically happens when he has had these episodes? How does he act?

Ughhh so stressful! And OMG that picture is so cute!

Does he seem gassy when he’s at the beginning of the slow-downs? The only thing I can think of is maybe it’s too many veggies? After one of my bunnies passed away I didn’t reduce the amount of veggies accordingly for my remaining bun, and I realized he was getting gassy and uncomfortable in the afternoons, I think from eating such a huge veggie meal. I reduced his veggies by about half (he prob gets 1 cup in the morning an 1 cup in the evening, he’s about 5 lbs), and he is much better.

You might try reducing his veggies and see if that helps. Since this is happening with the papaya you could also try removing the papaya.

If he eats critical care from a spoon or a plate willingly (some buns will if it’s not mixed too thin), you can also offer him some at the first signs of slow down and see if that nips it in the bud.

That he goes to eat hay is a good sign. He obviously knows he’s needing fibre then. It’s the best thing for him during those times. Rabbits will often snub their favourite things when they’re feeling “off”. You might find pellets are the last thing they  go back to showing interest in. But as long as they’re getting fibre in through hay, grass or other forage, and drinking, pooping, then things are good.

If you have access to roses that haven’t been treated with chemicals, that’s good to offer them. The leaves, twigs and flowers. I like to have some dried willow & rose petals & leaves on hand as my rabbits will often eat this if they’re snubbing their other food. Apple, pear or raspberry leaves might be appealing also.

Im glad the gas drops have helped at times. I use those when I see my rabbits pressing their tummy down. I’ve also found Zantac very effective recently but I try save my supply because it’s not available at the moment. So I try gas drops (infacol) first.