Angry and stressed because I left?

[Fidget]

I had to leave Fidget here over Christmas. I felt so bad leaving him on his own but the alternative was a 2 hour car journey either way and a night spent in a house with cats! I was gone for less than 48 hours in total, but made sure he had an area of the living room fenced off so he’d be able to run around. He got some early presents and had plenty of food in there. 

I got back on Boxing Day morning and the food and toys were barely touched, he was just laying in his pop-up tunnel sulking. He perked up a bit in the next hour or so, but his behaviour’s deteriorated. Before I went away I only needed to point at his bed or click my fingers over it and he’d jump in so we could shut him in for the night. Now it’s back to how he was when we first got him – chasing him round the room and grabbing him to get him to bed. Not even treats will tempt him back in! 

He’s become really destructive again too, there are several new holes in the beanbag just from today. 

He’s also not pooping a great deal (not so little that I’m concerned about GI stasis, but still less than usual). 

Is this all just stress from me being away for a day?

[LongEaredLions]

Sometimes bunnies do get angry when their owners leave them, but the not eating/pooping as much is worrysome. I would give him some Simethecone and if he doesn’t improve in a few hours go to the vet. You could smell like the cats, he may smell that and be scared.

[Deleted User]

Poor Fidget – I do wonder if our babies hate/know when they are left behind? Hope he comes good soon.

[tanlover14]

Next time, I would take him with you. He would be fine in a car for 2 hours (my buns spent 9 hours in a car one day).

I’m a little curious though – how were you able to give him enough food for two days? Is he still on unlimited?

[Peony]

I would not leave a bunny alone for more then 12 hours, and I would say 24 hours is pushing it. I would give my rabbit to red door to house her temporarily then leave her alone that long. (Some shelters/vets have housing arrangements for situations like this)

With that said it is possible they got mad for not having fresh greens/ hay(I think my rabbit is picky and like that fresh hay smell =.=) / filled litter box/ water/ Not getting treats/ missing you or any combination of these.

[tanlover14]

I have to agree with Peony, which is why I inquired about age and the feeding pellets. I just read your profile so he’s over two years. Overfeeding pellets can lead to GI problems so you definitely do not want to give him more than his recommended amount at one feeding. They WILL overeat and that can definitely cause GI distress if their tummies are not used to that much at one time. Which can be fatal if not taken care of right away. Not to be harsh in any way, but the reality of GI stasis is that your bun could go into it while you were gone (and had overfed) and by the time you got home they could quite easily be dead. GI stasis can be VERY dangerous if not treated in time.

They also rely on a strict schedule, so he’s probably mad about that also. If he didn’t eat his pellets though, I’d be worried about a health issue. And the constant chewing makes me think teeth. Has he had his teeth checked lately?

[Peony]

Yep, I did not want to say it but they could of died in that span of time, so agree with ^ post. Overfeeding on pellets is bad, I do not even use them. All I give her is timothy hay (and she goes nuts with it and likes eating it out of the stuffed paper towel rolls, along with being in her litter box) and greens twice a day. She goes nuts for the papaya fruit enzyme, one tablet a day, and very thin banana slices for treats. (She really goes nuts for bananas, I think she makes full speed bolts when she knows I am calling her when I have one) I could not give her these things if i was gone longer then 12 hours (Making it home in time to give dinner green leaves) and keeping fresh water.

[Fidget]

Posted by tanlover14

Next time, I would take him with you. He would be fine in a car for 2 hours (my buns spent 9 hours in a car one day).

I’m a little curious though – how were you able to give him enough food for two days? Is he still on unlimited?

I have to agree with Peony, which is why I inquired about age and the feeding pellets. I just read your profile so he’s over two years. Overfeeding pellets can lead to GI problems so you definitely do not want to give him more than his recommended amount at one feeding. They WILL overeat and that can definitely cause GI distress if their tummies are not used to that much at one time. Which can be fatal if not taken care of right away. Not to be harsh in any way, but the reality of GI stasis is that your bun could go into it while you were gone (and had overfed) and by the time you got home they could quite easily be dead. GI stasis can be VERY dangerous if not treated in time.

They also rely on a strict schedule, so he’s probably mad about that also. If he didn’t eat his pellets though, I’d be worried about a health issue. And the constant chewing makes me think teeth. Has he had his teeth checked lately?

For one of the two hour stints I was on a train. Plus, whenever Fidget’s been in a car before, he’s got really upset and occasionally pulled out his fur. Plus, my dad’s house has two cats who would spend the entire time I was there trying to eat him as soon as they smelled him.
He was back on his normal food schedule and amount as soon as I got back.
His teeth were checked by me a week before Christmas, and by our vet just over a month ago – no problems there. The chewing is definitely him being cheeky than anything else – always the same spot in the beanbag because he knows it bugs me!

Posted By Peony on 12/29/2013 01:16 AM

I would not leave a bunny alone for more then 12 hours, and I would say 24 hours is pushing it. I would give my rabbit to red door to house her temporarily then leave her alone that long. (Some shelters/vets have housing arrangements for situations like this)

With that said it is possible they got mad for not having fresh greens/ hay(I think my rabbit is picky and like that fresh hay smell =.=) / filled litter box/ water/ Not getting treats/ missing you or any combination of these.

On advice from other people on BB I left just slightly over the normal amount of pellets in his bowl, some in his treat ball, and then just left him a LOT of hay. In all fairness it was advice from BB that made me feel comfortable leaving him for the day in the first place.
I think it was probably the latter. I’ve been back for 4 days now and he’s mostly back to normal (aside from the chewing), he’s even come up for a few cuddles.

[Peony]

I am just going to say you got lucky. There is a reason this is on the top of our forums here:

Forum
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

 Can’t see if that is happening if you are gone for 48 hours.

Like I said earlier, if I was around when you asked, I would given the advice of putting your rabbit in a housing if you could not bring them with.  I know the red door shelter offers housing for situations like this (Place I got Peony from), I would check out your local vets and shelters and see if anyone does it in your area for next time.

 That or give a person you trust, like family member, with keys of the house to keep tabs on your rabbits,

[Deleted User]

Hey Peony, I totally get what you were trying to get across, but it’s up to the individual to make the decision based on what they feel will be better for their bun at the time. I know some super dooper bunny BBer mum’s who have left their bubs for 24-48hours for whatever reason, it was in the bunny’s best interest and this is where Fidget obviously got her info from. Regardless of who is right or wrong, just take care not to make someone feel bad. Or the next time they need valuable advice they may not return to this forum. Fidget is obviously a good mum, she took the time to relate her concerns to us at BB to make it all better for her bub. And as you said above – given the ‘advice’….. That’s what we do – give advice, make suggestions, and pass on our personal experiences, so the bunny mum/dad can make the best decision for themselves. I’ve read a few of your posts and can see your dedication/love for your buns (your wonderful!), but remember when we get it wrong or don’t necessarily agree, that’s ok too – we love our buns just as much. Cheers Peony. I’ll look forward to reading your future posts.

[Peony]

Oh okay, I hope I did not sound too much offensive, as you said, just trying to look out for the bunny’s best interest.

Also thanks, I am happy you are actually looking forward to my future posts.

[tanlover14]

I tried to find the post – as I was curious how long the original post mentioned – but was unable to find it. I can see a lot of people saying it’s okay for 24 hours if that was what was said in the original post (I know you mentioned both here).

I completely understand and it’s great you posted on here to get advice – but in the future I wouldn’t let it go longer than 24 hours. Just throw someone your key to pop in once or twice to make sure everything is going good! =)

[Author]

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