Bun sleeps on back

[Jupiter_Flemish Giant]

HI GUYS

As you can see, my rabbit enjoys sleeping on his back. If I were to let him lay long enough, he would be asleep rn. I love the way he does it, I just want to know if it can hurt him? But isnt he adorable!!!!!

[Bam]

Very young rabbits often like to sleep on their backs. I’ve never heard that it could be harmful in any way. The human should not put the bun on its back, (aka “trancing”, however sometimes a bunny savvy vet will do trancing for certain procedures to avoid using a tranquilizer drug), but if the bun itself chooses to lie on its back, it’s fine.

[DanaNM]

In the picture the bun appears to be “tranced”, which is not recommended. it can be stressful to the rabbit even if it appears that they are sleeping. There have been studies that show it slows the heart rate, and it rare cases this can be dangerous to the rabbit.

. . . 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.  

[Jupiter_Flemish Giant]

I fell so bad for doing this to him. I truly thought it was cute, but if it hurts him I will never do it again. I hold my cats like this, and from what Ive read I thought that it would be ok.

[Jupiter_Flemish Giant]

My rabbit has since been sleeping on his back also, and I thought it was fine because the lady at the breeding den held him on his back to check his gender. Now that I think of it, she was a rabbit breeder, whos house looked like a rabbit puppy mill .

[DanaNM]

Don’t beat yourself up, I used to do this too when I was younger and had 4-H rabbits, before I knew it was stressful for them. Sleeping on their back is a bit different, there is something about being flipped and held that triggers the “trance” (also known as “tonic immobility). It is still used somethings for medical procedures or things like nail trims, but most rabbit welfare groups recommend avoiding it if possible.

. . . 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.  

[Jupiter_Flemish Giant]

I was wondering why that he was so calm when I clipped his nails. I was like ¨Mom, he’s not complaining or anything!¨ and we thought it was bitter-sweet. While I cut his nails almost the exact way I wanted them, we were worried that maybe there be an underlying issue. I’m glad you told me!

[DanaNM]

Here’s a method for nail trimming that doesn’t involve trancing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9KemnaTGIs&ab_channel=Howcast

I would give this a shot. I have in the past used trancing for rabbits that are VERY difficult to do nail trims on, but only when the only alternative was a trip to the vet (as I figured a few minutes of trancing was less stressful than a full-on vet visit). Most of my bunnies do very well with this method, especially when I have a helper.

. . . 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.  

[LBJ10]

Haha! I wish I could do that! 😛

[DanaNM]

It only works for Myra and Bonnie! I’ve had to do some other gymnastics for the other buns 😆

. . . 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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