sleeping rabbits

[MamaDumpling]

My mini lop, Dumpling loves to chill on the bed at every opportunity he gets. We have cuddles for an hour every night before I go to sleep and he is put in his room. Last night, I was patting him and he was happy as Larry, grinding his teeth and pushing my hand for more if I stopped. His breathing slowed right down and he was super relaxed, twitching every now and then. But then he went totally limp and his head slid off the side of the bed. I caught him and popped him on the bed properly but he was still limp i tapped him and spoke to him and he didn’t respond, and I couldn’t see his little belly rising and falling like usual so I picked him up and he was very limp in my hand. Obviously I thought something was seriously wrong, because his eyes were shut too, so I burst into tears. And the little bugger opens his eyes and gives me this look like, “Mum, you’re so lame” and then just goes right back to his spot and lays down again.

He’s perfectly fine, but my question is: Do rabbits go into deep sleep like humans and other animals. I’ve never noticed him do it before, but he was full on fast asleep.  Anyone else’s bun do this?

[Roberta]

Tehy can go into an almost trance like state by being placed on their backs and stressed… I would assume complete relaxation from stroking could do something similar… One of my cats would sleep like that, he gave me an awful scare quite a few times.

[MissGabbster]

That must’ve been one petting to get him to go into such a deep sleep!

[LongEaredLions]

Roxi did this once, scared me half to death! I agree that must have been a very good snuggle to have him fall asleep like that!

[MamaDumpling]

YEAH, Dumpling loves a good snuggle, which is so amazing, because my sisters dwarf lop is such a grumpy boy who won’t let anyone but her husband pat him. Having super affection Dumpling has really made me adore bunnies so much more!
He’s done the sleep thing again a couple of times now, so I guess he just is tired.

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