lethargic baby bunny

[AJ]

Hello all, first post here!

I’m a new rabbit owner, just acquired my first, a baby mini lop, last week. For complicated logistical reasons, he had to stay with my friend for a couple days while I finished travel, then I drove him to his new home/my apartment this Mon. I assumed he’d have an adjustment period, given all change he was contending with, but initially, he was actually very curious and active around my apartment. He figured out litter training really quick so I’ve mostly been letting him run around and explore — he was playing with the toys I got him and generally seeming healthy and active.

For about the last 48 hours, though, he’s retreated under a living room dresser and just lays there all day. He goes back to his cage for food, water, and to use the bathroom, but otherwise he’s become a very sad looking, sedentary bunny, and all the energy and playfulness has evaporated. I’ve been feeding him what I think I’m supposed to — initially, mostly unlimited pellets and timothy hay, although I noticed recently that he seems to ignore his hay if he has pellets, so I’ve started limiting the pellets to make him eat more hay. I can’t think of anything in my apartment he could have gotten into that could be harmful.

Should I be concerned, or is he just going through a bunny phase? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

[Bam]

if he is eating, drinking, pooping and peeing like he should, it doesn’t sound like an emergency. Don’t cut back too much on the pellets, since he’s growing and he doesn’t yet have a fully developped GI flora (and thus can have a bit of difficulty extracting all the nutrients and energy from the hay – it’s the gut microorganisms that do that.)

Does his poop look good? Does he allow you to pet his head? How old is he?

[AJ]

Thank you for the input! As far as I can tell, his poop looks fine. He’s about 10 weeks old (so I haven’t introduced anything in his diet besides pellets and hay yet). He doesn’t seem to mind when I reach under the dresser he’s camped out under and pet him — in general he’s pretty acquiescent to handling, I can pull him out from under his dresser and hold/pet him indefinitely, he just sits there like a lump, but he was that way during his more active phase too. Perhaps he’s just having a lazy phase?  If so, I can sympathize with that.

Thanks again!

[AKM]

Since he has more room to roam and explore could that just be his hang out spot to rest? Like previously mentioned as long as he’s eating, pooping, peeing, no emergency but keep a close eye out.

[sarahthegemini]

He could be tired out from all the excitement and energy he’s probably burned running around exploring.

[Author]

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