Sudden nervousness and distrust

[Kyden]

I have a male rabbit, he’s about four years old and has always been closest bonded to me. He comes over for cuddles and head scratches, nudging for attention and always accepting food and being picked up. He seemed odd yesterday when I went to pick him up to bring him to my room when he was thumping and staying away, I backed up but picked him up like normal after five minutes or so, he sat in my room getting headpats and coming close until he sat himself in a corner and wasn’t really responding to me like normal- he didn’t seem sick or out of it just didn’t want to bother with me. I went up to feed him this morning and he was lunging at me and not letting me get close or move to fast, I offered him the food but he moved away from me, I left him for twenty minutes and he hadn’t eaten it but after coming back ten minutes later he finally tok it, though I noticed he wasn’t scratching at the door and waiting for his food like normal, the same happened tonight, not letting me get close and seem trustworthy but it’s odd, I offer him food and he’d notice it was me and Tilt he is head for scratches and sit with me but wouldn’t accept the food. Eventually after offering it enough times he sat in the corner and began eating small bits until he ate it all. I cleaned his hutch recently and don’t know if he’s just upset Over that or something else, he’s bonded with our dog *never face to face and closely monitored* they lay together and race laps with each other, I’m not letting the dog near him currently because of his behaviour but know for a fact nothing happened between them as I keep a very close eye and hold on the dog 24/7. For reference the rabbit is neutered. Other than this stuff he seems perfectly fine, he’s not stomach pressing and is running like normal around his run and playing with his toys

[Wick & Fable]

It is good that he seems fine– that being said, it is not uncommon for a rabbit to suddenly act out when not feeling well. My rabbit had broken one of his fingers a while back and he acted completely normally (eating, pooping, energy…) the entire time, despite the fact that he literally had a broken bone. I would be observant if there is anything else that may indicate he is feeling unwell, whether it be odd movements or something else. Being less food motivated is pretty indicative, I feel, of a rabbit in distress or at the minimum nervous. One of my rabbits is easily anxious and will not eat right away/eat slowly when nervous/scared. Many rabbits will refuse food when feeling unwell.

There is also a possibility that perhaps you went somewhere and did something recently that changed your smell? Has anything changed with you or your environment, whether it’s a new laundry detergent, interaction with an animal, going outside somewhere…?

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.

[Kyden]

I can’t think of anything I’ve done different, I visited new friends yesterday but that wouldn’t explain his behaviour the day before or yesterday, I’ve not changed his food or gone anywhere so I cant think of an explanation, unless he’s upset I’ve cleaned out his hutch but I do that often and he’s never seemed upset about that before, he seems more territorial of it though if that makes sense, when I put my hand in the stroke him or offer him the food he growled and tried nipping me whereas outside he didn’t go to nip just sat still until he recognised me and nudged my hand to be stroked while declining the food I offered for him

[Author]

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