I’m really worried!

[fpaigebby]

I am a new bunny owner, and today my rabbit seems really tired. He hasn’t really played at all, I’ve had him for about a week now, and he normally binkies and runs around. Today he just isn’t doing that. He is eating, and drinking, but it does seem like he hasn’t pooped as much as normal. He likes to lay underneath my bed, he will come out, but he’s just not playing like normal. Is something wrong, I’m so worried:'(

[Deleted User]

Not sure where you live but if it is summer for you now he may be hot. (Really don’t know of course, just something that came to mind.) Rabbits are very sensitive to heat so if you think this might be the problem think you should look into some of the great methods for helping him to cool down on this site. There have been several threads on this topic (if you use the search feature they are easy to find), and there are also several excellent suggestions in theBunny Info section.

No matter what the weather keep a close eye on him to see if there are any other changes. Pleasekeep us updated.

[fpaigebby]

I keep a frozen water bottle in his cage all the time. I live in Arizona, and it does get really hot, but I day was actually cooler due to rain. He seems like he’s tired, but he normally isn’t under the bed the majority of the day, he comes out and plays at night, but he just isn’t doing that tonight.

[Deleted User]

How old is he? Have you changed anything in what you are feeding him?

It was the being under the bed that made me think of the heat possibly being a problem. (I’ve had little dogs who hid under the bed in hot weather.) Is there a fan or something else to help with the cooling aside from the frozen bottle? I’m sure that helps but by itself it may not be enough.

He hasn’t been with you very long so some of his habits and behaviour may change a little as he becomes more confident and secure, … changes after the first few days or weeks are common. That said I would be somewhat concerned (though not as much as if he wasn’t eating), and definitely suggest keeping a close eye on him.

Please do let us know, and I’m sure you will get more (and probably more helpful) thoughts and suggestions in the morning.

[fpaigebby]

 I think he’s about five months or so. I bought him at a pet shop, which I now know isn’t very good, but when I bought him the cage I got was one of those kits, it came with food, bedding, etc. The food it came with was Kaytee fiesta blend, and with research I found that it wasn’t good, So I went out and bought small world pellets. At first I was mixing the fiesta blend with the pellets I bought, but I ran out of the fiesta blend so now he only has the pellets, and his hay. I also feed him veggies. He is out right now, but he still hasn’t been as playful. He’s just kind of exploring and sniffing the carpet a lot. I’m feeling a little more at ease now because he’s actually out from underneath the bed. But I still worry a bit because I am a new mommy. 

[Deleted User]

I really do understand, and while getting extremely uptight and anxious doesn’t help, a little healthy worry is probably good, especially until you know each other better and you can be more confident about what you are seeing.

It does sound to me as though he may just be beginning to relax with you, and starting to enjoy himself.

Glad you’ve been doing research, I’ve run across those kits, … you do know now that you need to avoid pine chips? (I just can’t get over how pet shops promote using them with rabbits when they are so unhealthy!) And that if you are litter box training him bedding on the floor (that includes in the cage) may confuse him? Sorry if I’m reviewing things you now know, but thought I’d ask just in case.

Other then being cooler I suspect under the bed feels safe to him. Mine love running under my desk (difficult to describe but that does mean they are actually between a very thick/wide “leg” and the wall, with maybe four inches clearance between the floor and desk.) I’ve always thought it probably feels something like a burrow. If you haven’t yet maybe you could make him a hidey box as an alternative spot to relax and feel secure in.

You have me concerned now so please let me know how he does during the day.

[fpaigebby]

 For bedding I use Kaytee clean and cozy lavender bedding. I think it’s made out of some type of paper or something. Maybe the lavender isn’t all that good for him?

I will post in the morning, and give an update. Thank you so much for the advice

[Emandme]

Have you taken him for a vet visit yet? You mention you’ve had him for a week now and while some might think this is odd, I think its a good idea for a check up right away – ESPECIALLY if you purchased from a pet store.

I purchased my first bunny from a pet store and I think its part of our due diligence as bunny parents to ensure our buns are healthy from the get go. My second bun was healthy as a horse and I still took her in to see the vet in about a week’s time to get checked up.

Good luck with your bun

[hannaroo]

Welcome to BB!
Bunnies are most active during dawn and dusk so it’s not unusual to have a lethargic bun during the day as in the wild they’d be asleep in their burrows. As long as he’s active in the mornings and evenings he is more than likely fine and just settling in the hotter weather will make him less active as well.
Keep an eye on him for any more changes (moreso his appetite) just in case and book a check up with the vet (and vaccinations if your area allows) as soon as he’s old enough for them to make sure he’s healthy.
On a different note you’ll find that you don’t need wood shavings as they are messy and bunnies do well with just newspaper lining their home or blankets if they don’t chew or eat them.

[Deleted User]

How is your little one, since you didn’t update all day I’m a bit concerned.

I definitely agree that a vet visit cant’ hurt, if all is well then the vet has a file open, you’ve met them (and know if you like them), and you’ve got a picture of your rabbit when healthy which can really help if something comes up down the line. If there is something not quite right it gets diagnosed and treated ASAP, which usually is a lot easier!

Lavender is fine but bedding is truly not necessary and will only confuse the rabbit when it comes to litter training. (Do you plan on litter training him?) As has been suggested newspapers or blankets are certainly alternatives but truthfully they are happy on harder surfaces (for the most part unless there is an actual problem), and in this weather tiles, linolium and/or grass or straw mats would be the way I’d go. (Additionally you don’t need to worry about digging shredding or chewing/eating as you do with other options.) Linolium is easy to clean up (and you can usually get a piece for little or nothing at a carpet store), and you can cover it with whatever you like. Tiles are inexpensive and available at most hardware stores (sold singly), can be frozen or refridgerated for added cooling, and make an easy addition to the floor. The grass and straw mats are pleasant to lie on and if bought somewhere safe for rabbits (like the Binky Bunny Store) are safe for them to eat. In the winter you could try a little rug or some blankets if you want, though that needs to be supervised closely since its important they not be eaten. (As suggested on the House Rabbit Society’s site I got mine a nice cotton towel, … went through some bother to get it. After half an hour a good portion of it looked like cheese cloth, … it was removed from the cage, … I’m not sure I’ve ever been fully forgiven.)

Just some ideas to get you started. But please let us know how he is!

[fpaigebby]

Thank you for all the information, He’s doing great just as stubborn as usual lol. I think I just worry a lot, being a new mommy. I’m constantly researching everything (what’s best for him, what certain behaviors mean, etc) He woke me up this morning and I let him out of his cage at about 5:00 AM and he’s been playing with me until about 9:30 (Here it’s about 9:54 right now) Now he’s napping under the bed.

I plan on potty training him soon, although the cage I have Is sort of limited on space, so I don’t know If a litter pan would fit. Is it okay to put it outside of his cage? He’s out of his cage a majority percent of the time anyways, He’s only in his cage when, my boyfriend and I aren’t home, or if we step outside or something.

So should I take his bedding out at replace it with tiles?

Again thanks for all the information, I really really appreciate it

[Beka27]

He needs to have access to his litter box 24/7. That’s the only way you’ll be able to train him and have him “retain” that training.

If his cage is not large enough for a litter box, his cage is not big enough for him. At the minimum…. The cage has to be 2×4 feet if he is confined in there for ANY length of time.

[Deleted User]

Afraid I’m going to have to echo Beka. Sorry but if you want a litter trained rabbit you will one, need to give him constant access to the litter box; and two, plan for a different living arrangement. He is going to need more space. Is your bedroom rabbit proofed? If it is (it should be since he is obviously spending a lot of time loose in it) then once he is litter trained you might consider letting him have free range of your room. He’d still need something, a pen, or cage large enough for him and his litter box and dishes, space to lie down. This would give him a spot that is really his, but if he had free run of your room all day every day that could be on the smaller side. If he needs to spend time in his cage then it needs to meet that minimum requirement of space. Either way what you are describing is definitely too small.

In answer to your question though, yes I would pick up the soft bedding, it will only confuse him. Putting down a couple of big tiles is a quick and easy change which he may like, or if it is a solid plastic floor that would probably do for now anyway.

I suggest you take a look at the habitat section on this forum, lots of fabulous ideas there! Should give you somewhere to start planning, and show you how other people have worked around limited space, and/or limited funds (if you are dealing with either of those) and still designed and built living areas that work for there rabbits. Again if he can spend most of his time in your room the solution may be quite simple. Once you’ve had a chance to research what you need and checkout some of the great ideas you can always start a new thread asking any questions or for added suggestions to help with constructing your new home. (You’ll get more, and more relevant answers that way.)

I’m really happy he is being his happy playful self part of the day. Again, a little woory is always good, so much better to ask and find out something is nothing rather then not be concerned. I’m sure everyone looks forward to hearing how he progresses.

Since you are responsible and a little worry prone this is probably a good time to study up on what is going to happen when he starts going through his hormonal changes, … and begin to plan for his neutering. You’ve got a few months but expect you’ll be happier knowing what is happening as it happens. The House Rabbit Society’s site (I posted a link to it for you in another thread) and the Binky Bunny site are both terrific resources with reliable information you can count on. And of course, you can always ask on the forum.

I hope you enjoy each other Very Much! Best of Luck!

[Author]

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