Eating Habits?

[Naomi11]

Hello.  My bun has decided she doesn’t want to go to her enclosure anymore which is fine but I’m concerned she’s not eating and drinking enough because she’ll go and sleep under my bed around 9am and sometimes won’t come out to eat or use litter until the afternoon (she quite often will pop out around lunchtime and then 3pm to nibble something) But she’s eating much less that she used to when she was in her enclosure because the food was right in front of her and I’m wondering if I should be worried? Having said that she always has a big breakfast and a big dinner even if she disappears for the day.Sometimes I will put out some pellets and some fresh food for her and when I get home she hasn’t eaten any of it and she’s just been sleeping all day? Should I be concerned? If she’s hungry she will eat right? What are your house rabbits eating habits like?

[jerseygirl]

That is not too unusual. At least, not in my home. My buns will often sleep between 10 and 3 and start to come looking for food in the afternoon. Does she have access to unlimited hay?

[Naomi11]

Yup she has hay and water available all the time. Okay well hopefully she’ll be alright I just got worried because her poops have been smaller which I thought might have something to do it. As long as shes still toileting it’s ok though right?

[jerseygirl]

Yes, toileting is good. The smaller poop is certainly something to watch. Could you pop a litter box with hay under your bed for just during the day?

Is she going through a molt at the moment? Eating paper or cardboard at all? Or litter material?

[Naomi11]

She doesn’t eat anything that isn’t food thank goodness. Sometimes she does have ‘hair poops’ where the poop is full of fur inside and we have just had some hot days so yeah she could be molting a bit we have just hit summer here. We are moving house soon too and I think she knows somethings up so it could be a bit of stress too. I’ll keep an eye out, this has happened before and gone back to normal after a few days.  I think I will keep a litter near her for the day I almost bought another litter yesterday for that purpose actually. So her sleeping/eating habit is ok. Thanks for your help!

[jerseygirl]

Yes, Im experiencing some hot days here too. They can become pretty inactive in the warm weather.
I hope you see her perk up soon. If she is keen for her food in the morning or evening, then I don’t think you need to worry too much.

With molting, I notice my rabbits may go off their food a little before or during a molt. It can affect their mood a bit also.

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