Bunny not going to bed

[noodlebeer]

Gus is 3 years old and I’ve had him for most of that time.  When I’m home and awake he is out of his pen and has the run of the house (though prefers spending his time in my room with me) and when I’m sleeping and at work he goes back to his pen – and goes back very excitedly! He would race me down the hall to his pen when it was time to go away.

At Christmas time we had a bit of a stasis scare that took about a week to get 100% better.  Ever since then he has been less keen on going back to his pen.  It’s taken patience, serious food bribes, and shutting doors behind him as we go to get him back some days.  He’s still eating as normal (and pooping as normal) but just doesn’t seem as excited about food.  

Two days ago he went to the vet for a routine check up and calcivirus booster shot which he didn’t enjoy but seemed to deal with it all in his stride.
Yesterday for the first time he wouldn’t go back to his pen at all when I had to go to work – I just had to leave him out free roaming while I was away.  He was fine and probably spent most of the day sleeping.  He went back to bed that night after some patient coaxing.  Today he went back when I had to leave for chores, but then wouldn’t when it was time for work.

Now its 1am and I need to go to sleep but he won’t budge from under my bed.  He’ll accept the small food bribe as a ‘teaser’ and let me pet him but then won’t follow me for the rest.

I’d love to just let him free roam but I have housemates and I don’t want them to have to watch him etc and I suffer from anxiety so would be constantly stressing about if he’s okay/up to mischief while I’m gone. 

Does anyone have any idea why his behavior has changed?  Other than the refusing to go to his pen, he isn’t as active as he normally is – he usually has so much energy but has spent most of his time just hiding under the bed. 

TL;DR – Bunny refusing to go back to his pen for the first time in 3 years, anyone have advice?

(I don’t want to have to catch him and carry him to bed – he hates being picked up and I don’t want him to run from me all the time)

[DanaNM]

Hi there,

I think the fact that he’s less interested in his food and isn’t as active might mean he’s not 100% recovered, or is maybe relapsing. Or there is some underlying pain that caused the stasis (maybe dental?). Or the stress of the vet visit?

He could just be unhappy about his recent vet visit, but any behavior change can mean pain in bunnies, so if he doesn’t perk back up in a day (or there is a change in his pooping and eating), I would take him back to the vet and look for some underlying causes. Maybe a thorough dental exam?

. . . 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.  

[noodlebeer]

Thanks for the reply Dana. I think it was stress of the vet visit and maybe a slight reaction to the vaccine also combined with the really hot weather we’ve been having (we have air conditioning but it’s not great)

Since the original post he’s gotten better – he’s spending less time sulking under the bed and more time sitting right with me/following me around the house. Getting to bed is still a bit of a chore sometimes but he hasn’t outright refused since this post.

Last night when I got home from work at 2am I decided to just keep his run limited to the kitchen (where his pen is) so I didn’t have to struggle to get him back. He was not happy XD Stomping his feet like a toddler. But he got lots of cuddles and jumped right to bed when it was time. So he’s definitely improving!

[DanaNM]

Glad to hear it!

. . . 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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