Rinoa is building a…. nest??

[Hosenbunny]

I’ve had Rinoa since 7/03/2018 of last year (so almost a full year around now). She’s been a pretty nasty brat as of late but is unfixed due to the tightness of money atm, but I have plans to get her fixed as soon as I can afford it. So I just figured that was just her hormones. But just recently she’s been building some kind of nest-looking thing in the corner of her cage?

I let her out to hop around my room whenever I can (and when my dog isn’t in there bc she chases and growls at him) and she’s had no decline in eating, drinking, or activity but it scares me. I’m unsure of what she’s doing and am terrified. I give her daily fiber tablets (from Oxbow) and she’s fed Oxbow timothy hay and the same feed the breeder had her and the other does on.

I’ll include pictures below, but I’m really worried since I lost my last bunny Hos due to an internal blockage and seeing her pull out her fur (what caused the blockage in him) is terrifying me. I have my critical care on hand if needed, but should I take her to the vet? Is this normal behavior for a bunny her age? What should I do? I brush her once every few days and I’ve noticed she’s been shedding quite a bit lately, but is this about that or is she shedding because of the nest-thing?

[Sirius&Luna]

Has she been in contact with another bunny at all?

If not, I guess its just a false pregnancy, which is relatively common with unspayed does. It can be stressful for them, but there’s not a huge amount you can do, other than spay her. I have heard that people put teddies in the nest, or just clear the nest away. I’m not actually sure what the best solution for the bun is, so not very helpful!

[Hosenbunny]

No, she’s not been in contact with any other bunnies for the whole time I’ve had her. I’m just unsure what to do, she just started this tonight.

[Asriel and Bombur]

A false pregnancy isn’t anything a vet needs to investigate. Obviously spaying will help, but until then just make sure she’s comfortable. I’ve read before that most people just toss the nest.

[Bam]

False pregnancies in buns always resolve themselves. You can let her have the nest if you think that makes her somewhat calmer.
She’ll forget all about it when her hormones tell her she wont be having any babies.

The hair on the false-preggers bun’s chest comes loose due to hormones, so she’s not hurting herself by pulling it. This time of year many rabbits in the northern hemisphere start a general spring molt though.

[Hosenbunny]

-UPDATE-

She’s still at it, though I will say my little baby girl doesn’t lack on the nest building skills and her nest is shaping up rather nicely!

This is day 5 of her nest building and she doesn’t seem like she wishes to stop so I’ve just left her nest in there for now. She’s still eating her hay, greens, and even her pellets and drinking her water as well as using the bathroom consistently, so I see no need for immediate concern. It’s kinda cute how she’s acting and anytime I reach in there she’s been super sweet and enjoying her petting, (unless my hand goes too close to the nest then she just growls and shoves me away).

[Bam]

I dont think there is any cause for concern ?

[Author]

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