Do Bunnies Get S.A.D.?

[MimzMum]

Mimzy seems a bit low in the last week or so. I think I asked about this once before last year this time, but, do bunnies get a form of seasonal affective disorder (S.A.D.) when there’s more dark hours than light? I try to keep lights on at certain times during the day to help, but I think they really would rather have pure sunlight than this.

I’m just a little concerned about my best bun. He just doesn’t seem himself lately and has actually been up early in the morning and sitting at the door to his night pen waiting for head pets, which I give if I happen to be awake. (We’re talking about 5 AM.)

[Deleted User]

awwww i dunno if bunnies get S.A.D. or not. But I hope Mimzy cheers up!!!!
Bunny hugs from Minnesota to Alaska for Mimzy!

[Lightchick]

Poor Mimzy! Can you get one of those sunlight color-temperatured light sources? Do those actually work? They’re ugly as heck, but maybe it’ll make him feel better?

[MimzMum]

We’re already using those special ‘blue tint’ bulbs that are supposed to be more like natural light than regular incandescents. But they don’t help him… or me either.
*sigh* I think my bunneh and I need to go to one of those tanning salons for a few hours. ^_^

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Well there was a skunk at our zoo who got SAD and they used those blue lights for her. Their are special lights designed for people with SAD, you can actually buy them in Costco-called a GoLight. You could always give it a whirl and in your super long nights in Alaska I’m sure someone in the house would use it!

[jerseygirl]

I’m pretty sure I read that the amount of light and darkness they get regulates something in them to do with there shedding. Sorry to sound vague, can’t remember the terminology! So your qu is interesting! Is Mimzy pre or post molt? Thinking this might be affecting his mood…..

[MimzMum]

jerseygirl, he just finished a big shed. Actually they all did, so it’s kind of odd that only he would be depressed.

He was certainly mad at me this morning, incidentally, before we left for town because he must have felt his pen was ‘cluttered’…I’d just cleaned everything and put Carefresh in and new hay and a cardboard tube to ease boredom and he dragged, pushed and shoved it all into the litter box and then tipped the whole thing and peed on the floor. I was so shocked I didn’t know what to do except remove everything but his food and a fresh pan of litter. Then he settled down. But I am a little dismayed that my little bunny man seems to be so out of character all of a sudden. The only thing I can think of is that we have three hours of visible light now. I know it’s affecting MY mood. >

Thanks for the tip K&K, I’ll set my husband out to hunt that GoLight down. If they’re at COSTCO, they should also be at Sam’s Club, which is what we have here.
If anyone can find it, he can. He just drove us miles out of our way today while we were shopping to buy bunny litter for us! ^_^ My hero!

[Deleted User]

awww…always nice to notice and appreciate the nice things our significant others do for us. i know i tend to stick to “he forgot to clean the cage” and “he didn’t feed boston” and forget to remember those 2 hours he spent on the floor playing with her…. YAY Hubby!!!!

i can’t imagine that little amount of sunlight!!! i get easily moody, so i can just imagine what i’d be like in alaska! I hope you find the right light!!!

[Scarlet_Rose]

I have to say yes, even though I have no articles to back it up. My Bonsai is the worst when it comes to being moody when there isn’t as much light and when the weather turns. I think it has a lot to do with the individual bun too. Can you experiment with one of those light bulbs that simulates sunlight to see if it helps? They are kind of expensive but if you have one around or are using one for yourself it might be worth a try.

[jerseygirl]

The lights remind me of a storyline from a tv show that was set in Alaska. MM, my experience of Alaska is sadly, Northern Exposure and Men in Trees. Oh yeah…and the Palin factor.  Bet it’s nothing like these shows!
Anyhoo, the police woman in Men in Trees had a SAD machine and she hooks up with another cop from a diff county who also has S.A.D. (from memory).

[MimzMum]

Well I’ve been trying those complete spectrum bulbs and it doesn’t seem to have any effect on him. Although I notice he’s a little more cheery the day after I have my Christmas lights on all night. ^_^
Pip hates them though. She wants total darkness for sleep. >.< And I can't throw anything over her cage because she pulls it through and eats it.
I’m also thinking some of it may have to do with Fiver. Since Fiver is nearer to me in the pen by my bed, perhaps Mimzy is a little green?

Could I switch them between each others night pens? For a change of scenery? Or will that just make them angry?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

He could definitely be green although it’s so dark here I can’t imagine what your daylight is like this time of year Mimz-I don’t know how you all do it!! Although the summer must be awesome! I hope the Golight works for you! I’m thinking of dragging mine to work -For me it’s recommended I have it on for one half hour a day in the early morning soooo being not a morning person I rarely use it! It’s to help me fall asleep better. It comes with instructions for what your using it for and even says animals are often drawn to it and will stick around and stare at it. It can help with Sadd, tiredness and falling asleep/staying asleep issues too!

You could always be brave and try the pen switching-it may mean some bunny butt but it could work out well too

[MimzMum]

Oh that’s interesting! I didn’t realize the light helps you get sleep! Wow, this may be beneficial for more than just the bunnies if so. My son and daughter have terrible sleep habits, caused by the weird daylight here no doubt.

Is there a particular brand for this light that we should look for? Like General Electric or something? Does it require a special socket?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Well the lights in your house, unless they have UV will not do anything; We have the ‘daylight’ bulbs and I like them, they look nice but they aren’t for regulating your circadian rhythms; The Golight is totally recommeded; It’s small and you just have to have it in your periferial vision-so you can set it up at breakfast or whatever It does work and would be good for Alaskans for sure!

[Hedi]

My Cooper goes thru these phases a lot! So much it makes me feel so bad. With the weather changes he gets very moody and distant…wants nothing to do with us and just mopes around like he is just so pitiful.

[jerseygirl]

Circadian Rhythms ^ ^- that’s what it’s called!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circadian_rhythm Some extra reading for those interested. There’s a section on animals.

You know, if only our computer screens emitted this “Golight”…….

[Deleted User]

oooh jersey, you’re a genius!!!!!
you could make millions……

[jerseygirl]

Snort! Too late! – somebody has probably already nicked off with the idea by now.

[MimzMum]

*starts counting money from jerseygirl’s idea* ^_^

Thanks for the link to the article, Jerz!

I gots to get me one of these lights…. 0_o I have been in foul moods for months with the dark coming on. Most likely I’m the one who is distressing Mimz.

Plus the hubby just told me lat night of the passing of a friend of mine up here who’d been diagnosed with colon cancer the same year I found my tumor. Apparently she passed close to my son’s birthday and he didn’t want to depress me further.

Today I got Mimz and Pip together for the first time in weeks. (we’ve been too busy to have time for putting up the xpen) and she set down to washing his ears right away…no territorial pooping or anything for the first few hours they were together. There’s been no humping or fighting. I hate to say it, but I think they’ve bonded while I wasn’t looking! They are cuddled together, head to butt, as we speak.

Maybe he’s been sad because he’s been missing his bunny buddy?

[Deleted User]

ummmm…..PICTURES>>>???????

[MimzMum]

Oh yeah…eheheh… *blush*

Oh crud…they moved! >.<

And sorry these didn’t turn out better.

112604090554.jpg
112604095158.jpg

[jerseygirl]

Mimz, I’m sorry to hear you’ve been down and sorry about your friend. That must be especially difficult when you shared the same experience. (((Huggles)))
Lovely pictures, that oughta put a smile on your face.

Oh, and you’re welcome to ‘my millions’ as long as you redirect some towards those little furry things we’re always talking about. Like I’d even have to ask you to do that! lol!

[Deleted User]

awwwww too cute!!!!! under their little tent! lucky you!

(and how do you keep that floor so clean???)

[MimzMum]

Trust me…it’s filthier than it looks… o_o I hope to get new linoleum or tile on it someday…or better yet, move to a nicer house…somewhere WARMER. >.<
Thanks for your kind words, Jerz…yes it is sad, but kind of good too…last time I saw her, about a few months ago, you could tell she was ready to go. And I know she is in a better place. *nods* I understand she went very peacefully too.

Funny how an experience like this really makes you feel for anyone who is going through it. I even keep up with the celebs and of course anyone in my local area who is stricken as well. You just never know where a kind word or deed may make a difference in the day of someone with cancer.

And yup. Cute bunnehs. ^_^ Can’t argue with that! xD

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

*Wants to get in on the millions* Umn…. please? heheh that is a genius idea and no jerz I don’t think it’s been done…*checks with the bf whos an inventor and knows how to find out…* Be back soon with news of your millions!!!

[Author]

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