Behavioural change

[Jenny]

Hello, I’m writing about my bun Winston, he is about a year and a half and has been neutered. We’ve had him for a year now and have always put him in his cage to sleep for the night. He is a free roaming bun during the day on the first level of house but to sleep I always have more peace of mind & sleep knowing he’s safe in his cage for the night. He has always been eager to jump i and be ready for food when he’s tucked in for the night so I never had to pick him up to put him in. Recently he has changed his ways and I don’t know what’s happening. He doesn’t want anything to do with going in when it’s bed time now, it’s been happening for a few weeks now & then for a few days he was back to normal and now it’s started again. He’s totally fine with his cage jumping in and out all day long but when it come to around 10-10:30 for bed he has started hiding so he doesn’t have to go in and I’m getting frustrated because I need to get to bed for work very early but at the same time i don’t want to make this a scary place for him but I have had to pick him up (which he’s not a fan) and put him in but he’s not happy about it. I’m at a loss why this is all of a sudden happening, he’s still eating like normal as well.  Any ideas? Thanks!

[Wick & Fable]

While rabbits can be quick to adopt routine, just like humans, things can change for them for reasons we’ll never really know. If all health-related behaviors are normal (eating, pooping, peeing, body language, general energy/motivation), then it is likely just his preference that there are evenings now he wants to stay out. From a rabbit’s perspective, it’s pretty arbitrary and doesn’t make sense when us humans put them away at night, restricting them from access to their territory.

If he has a secure relationship with you, I do not think picking him up to place him in the night enclosure would significantly damage your relationship at all, especially if you always follow it up with a treat, hehe.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Jenny]

Hello, thank you for responding to my question. Winston does/did have an ear infection which I feel like we’ve be treating forever (that’s another issue) so I did question if that was part of it but he’s jumped in for months while we have been giving home drops so thought that can’t be it. I have had to start going to the office another day a week so I though maybe just ok the days I’m at work he doesn’t want to go in but that wasn’t staying consistent. I hope it’s just a faze & he will go back to his normal jumping in excited to bedtime meal. If I do have to pick him up and put him in I will give him part of his Oxbow Digestive like it’s a treat, he loves it.  I can’t say for sure if he’s gassy or not. While petting him I often run the sides of his belly to makes sure things are still feeling ok and haven’t noticed anything different but he’s also my first bunny so I’m not 100%. He is eating and pooping like normal, water drinking some days are more than others. Normally he would jump in himself circling for it to be time I give him half a papaya support & have a oxbow digestive support along with his second half of pellets for the day & some hay of course. Should I maybe be doing something differently? Oh and he gets a few ends to carrot tops or parsley ends in small pieces just to add to keep him busy/entertained. Any suggestions are welcome as I mentioned he’s my first bunny so I’m not totally sure if there’s anything I should be doing differently. I love this little so much I just want the best home for him and for him to be ok. Thanks

[DanaNM]

Do you think he might be getting gassy or uncomfortable for some reason? Do you use pellets to get him to go in? Just want to make sure something health related is ruled out before deciding he’s just stubborn. :p

Is it a big jump for him to go in? Maybe adding a ramp could help?

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

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