Do rabbits have OCD?

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This topic has 9sd replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 6 months ago by Bam.

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- 08/15/2017 at 9:07 PM
  daisy_doo
  Participant
  3 posts
  My rabbit has always moved her pillow in her cage how she wants it. She also moved her stuffed animal, my hair and her bed. So does she have OCD?
  
  If she does, how can I tell? I might be getting another bunny this year and I want to know if that bunny has OCD.
  
  Thanks!
  
  – Kip and Daisy
- 08/16/2017 at 12:04 AM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17105 posts
  What you are describing is normal bunny behavior. Some bunnies are more compelled than others to have everything “just so”. But it is completely normal for them to arrange things in their area to their liking, particularly if someone moves something out of place.
- 08/16/2017 at 12:43 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  16999 posts
  Completely agree with LBJ! It’s not OCD, it’s how they are. They can get really upset if you put something in their area that they don’t want/consider wrongly placed. They will then spare no energy to move the object to where it ought to be.
  
  It’s really quite charming =) And 100% normal bun behavior.
- 08/16/2017 at 7:32 AM
  joea64
  Participant
  1423 posts
  Buns are dyed-in-the-wool routineers and great creatures of habit. This is one of the things that deeply appealed to me when I started learning about them, because I’m much the same way myself!
- 08/16/2017 at 8:15 AM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  That is too cute XD I agree with the others.
- 08/16/2017 at 10:02 AM
  Q8bunny
  Participant
  6345 posts
  LOL
  No. Buns don’t have OCD. They’re just big fans of the status quo.
- 08/16/2017 at 10:04 AM
  sarahthegemini
  Participant
  5584 posts
  A bunny moving things is normal. Not OCD lol
- 08/16/2017 at 10:07 AM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5820 posts
  OCPD* is the correct comparison, not OCD. Rabbits enjoy routine very much.
  
  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.
- 11/12/2021 at 8:38 AM
  Ernesttherabbit
  Participant
  7 posts
  Late answer, but rabbits can have OCD. However, what you are describing is normal rabbit behaviour. OCD in rabbits often has triggers such as stress or trauma.
  
  Our rescue rabbit has OCD and it usually manifests as excessive grooming, obsessively licking his paws at least three times before he stands up, obsessive drinking rituals, and compulsive repeated behaviour when exposed to certain triggers e.g. He has to run underneath the chair closest to the door, and circle his food bowl once before he eats any of his meals.
  
  Rabbits are naturally tidy animals, and they like things to be in their place, stubbornly insisting on things being in certain places is just an extension of normal bunny behaviour.
- 11/12/2021 at 9:53 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  16999 posts
  @Ernesttherabbit Thank you for your answer. This is a really interesting topic! How lucky your bun is to have come to such understanding humans 🙂
  
  This is however a quite old thread, and the original posters might not be active on the forums currently. I will close the thread, but please feel free to start a new topic on the subject, and/or just join in the general discussion that goes on in the monthly chat thread in the Lounge!
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