New Rabbit Does Nothing

[Ribadoodi]

On Friday, I bought a little grey Holland Lop bunny. The day before I bought it, it was very skidish in the store and when I came back the next day it was very relaxed and let me pet it. I bought him and brought him home that day. Over the course of that day he didn’t really do anything, and didn’t eat or poop or drink for several hours. Finally he ate some food and laid a few turds.

Every once in a while he will move around and nip at his chew toy, but other than that it mostly sits still and does nothing. It won’t leave the cage, and the closest it’s gotten to doing so has been looking over the edge and putting a foot on the ramp. When I stick my hand in the cage it will sometimes smell it, then do nothing. If I pet it it doesn’t seem bothered but looks like it doesn’t care whether I’m petting it or not, and if I move my hand away it won’t move towards the hand.

Today, it was very active around 8 am and since then (its 2 pm now) hasn’t eaten, pooped, or drunk anything. I’ve offered it carrots, spinach, and dandelions since Friday and only once has it touched the carrots and eaten nothing else.

Did I pick a bad rabbit? It’s 3 months old and I would expect it to have lots of energy and want to come out and play, and eat lots of food since it’s still growing but it does none of those things.

[kurottabun]

Hi Ribadoodi and welcome to Binkybunny

I think it’s important to note that every rabbit is different so there’s no such thing as a “bad” rabbit. Often people have a preconceived notion of how a bunny “should” be like (cuddly, playful, like to be picked up etc), but most of the time you would realise that the reality is very different from what you perceived.

There are two possibilities I can think of with regards to your bunny. One is that the rabbit is just not used to being in your home, which is not uncommon considering it’s still new. Depending on the individual bunny, they can take a few days and even weeks or months to familiarise.

The second possibility is that it’s sick. Since you mentioned that you bought it from a store, this is quite likely as stores are notorious for doing a bad job at taking care of their animals. I suggest bringing the bunny to a rabbit savvy vet and have it checked thoroughly by the vet so they can tell you if it’s sick or if there’s anything that you should be prepared for.

The fact that it’s not pooping, eating and drinking is very concerning, so it’s best if you could find a rabbit savvy vet nearest to you asap and bring it there.

[Deleted User]

I am not quite sure what you were expecting? Rabbits Eat, Sleep and lay “turds”….thats it. They are not dogs that will play fetch. It can take years before a rabbit fully trusts its owners. Did you do your research on rabbit behaviour before deciding weather a rabbit would be a suitable pet for you? The main responsibility for all rabbit owners is to make sure that their companions feel safe. Get her a hiding box (be it a wooden one from the pet store or a cardbord box), put a blanket inside it and just allow her to adjust. Leave her alone for a few days and let her settle. She will be very timid around you for the next few months but the best thing you can do is leave her alone and allow her to come to you on her own terms. 

Laying down next to her and allowing her to sniff you is a good way at gaining trust — the worst thing you can do is grab her (unless you need too). 

[Wick & Fable]

It is good to consider now whether a rabbit is truly a pet you want. Rabbits do not play and interact with their owners in the sense that dogs do. Majority of rabbit owners are simply responding to a rabbit’s needs and enjoy the company of having him or her, including the times the rabbit decides it’s acceptable to pet/cuddle.

The adjustment period is important to acknowledge, as kurotta mentions.

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.

[Author]

Messages