Bunny Advice?

[Rory’s Human]

Hi, I have a rabbit and her name is Rory, we got her when she was just a baby and she is one and a half.

Most of the time she is running up and down, doing binkies and zoomies and flopping all around the house, but recently, (this has happened before) she’s just staying in her pen, although it is always open when I’m awake/ around. I’ve tried topping up hay, switching out toys, making sure her house is always clean, but she won’t come out.

I’ve started putting her daytime foodbowl by the box she always loves to scratch at, with her toy tunnel connecting the two, she gets there but when she’s done eating she just goes back in, she always lets me pet her though.

The thing is I always have to go to her and rarely she comes to me for affection, recently she started to do so but slowed down again.

The box where I put her food bowl is right outside the room she loves exploring, but she hasn’t gone in for a while and I think it might be the fact that there’s a new bed. It has been a couple weeks though since. I’m worried she might be sad or maybe scared, I want her to play more and get more exercise.

I don’t know what it might be, but I want to get her more active again, does anyone know how I can help?

[DanaNM]

It would be good to have her checked out by a vet to make sure there is nothing medical going on. Is she spayed?

It is somewhat normal for buns to become less active as they grow up, but it sounds like this is a pretty dramatic shift.

A couple thoughts, one funny thing I’ve noticed is that when I’ve left my buns pens open 24/7 they actually explore and run around less! When I close the pens for several hours each day (usually when I’m at work or asleep) they are excited to come out and explore when I open the pen again.

Other ways to encourage exploration would be incorporating food puzzles or maybe doing some clicker training with her.

If she is alone most of the day, she could really benefit from a friend. If you have the capacity to adopt another bun, you might consider bonding her with a neutered male (she must be spayed as well). Rabbits are social creatures and most of them really thrive when they have a friend.

. . . 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]

Bunnies can be weird sometimes. Assuming there is nothing medically wrong, she may just be feeling secure in her pen. She knows the door is open and she can come out whenever she wants, but she prefers the pen. This isn’t unusual, especially if there have been changes around the house. I agree with Dana. Sometimes closing the door makes coming out all that much more intriguing.

[sgtsnuggles]

If there’s signs of hiding, pressing her stomach on the floor, not making urine/poop then she might be sick. If she’s not sick, it sounds like she’s depressed. Rabbits do best with a bonded partner since they naturally live in societies with the comfort of other rabbits that offers a huge sense of security and companionship. I got my bun during covid and once I had to go back to work I noticed he was acting really differently. He’s so much happier with a companion, if you’re able to afford the extra care, would be a great option.

[Author]

Messages