Changing in Eating Patterns

[Azo_Skips]

Hi, I have a mini-lop bunny named Castiel. He is about 3.75 years old and is un-neutered.

I recently returned from a 5-week long trip and my parents had taken care of him while I was gone. Upon returning I noticed that his eating patterns have changed. Normally,  before I left, he would run to his feeding corner as soon as he heard me open the jar of his food. He would even make it difficult to put the bowl down because he was always underneath it. If I poured the food he would be right there.

When I got back this changed. He still comes up to get food but is way less energetic about it. He also will not eat all his pellets at once like he used to. He’s been eating a very little bit at a time and then going back for a little . He has plenty of fresh hay and has been eating that too. I make sure his litter box is always full of fresh hay.

I did switch his food and water bowl because he was prone to tipping the water bowl right after I got back. The pervious food one was a no tip dish so I figured it would be better to put water in that one so he doesn’t destroy the flooring.

I’m just wondering if this is something I should be concerned about or not? He doesn’t seem in pain, he’s still very playful other than his changes in eating. He binkies and zooms and still maintains his curious nature. He also flips over on his side and loves to continue sleeping stretched out on his stomach. He is prone to dehydration as he has become so twice before but he’s not showing the same signs he did the last two times.

[DanaNM]

Hmmm, did they keep the same routines with him? How many days have you been back? Could they have been giving him extra treats or anything like that while you were gone?

Things to consider are maybe some gas pain or GI upset from getting extra treats or pellets, maybe some routine disruption that has just thrown him off a bit, or potentially even a bad bag of pellets (or maybe it’s gone stale?).

If he is still eating plenty of hay, drinking water, and his poops look good I think you should just keep an eye on things. If his changes persist then he might have something health related going on.

. . . 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.  

[Azo_Skips]

So sorry for never responding, I saw this but completely forgot. Thank you for the advice it was helpful at the time of this post. He changed back to his normal routines shortly after this. <3

[Bam]

Oh, glad to hear it!

Thank you for the update!

[LBJ10]

My first thought was a change in routine as well. Sometimes bunnies take time to adjust after you have been gone awhile. If the person who was taking care of them was feeding them at different times or giving them extra things, then it can affect how they react to things when you try to go back to their normal routine.

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