Bertha getting old?

[DanaNM]

Hi guys, 

Just wanted some opinions from folks with older bunnies on what behaviors are a normal part of getting to be more senior, vs. things to worry about. 

We don’t know Bertha’s exact age, but we guess that in January she will be at least 7, but potentially older. (She was found by her rescuer wandering around in an empty house… but had already been spayed!?)

She still has a great appetite, poops look A++, doesn’t seem to be in any obvious discomfort, but she tends to sleep a lot more than she used to. She still tends to have a burst of energy in the morning, when she’ll run around and maybe do a few small binkies. 

She’s a large bunny (didn’t get the name Bertha for nothing!) and has always tended to be on the lazy loaf snuggly side of things, but it does seem like she has slowed down noticeably in the last year or so. She’s still grooming herself well and eating her cecals without issue, etc. I ordered some of the floppers “old bones” blend to see if that might bring her some energy back. 

I’m planning to chat with our vet about this next time I bring Moose in, but just curious as to some other member’s experiences with their aging bunnies.

. . . 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.  

[Wick & Fable]

No experience unfortunately, but based on my observations with Wick, sometimes inactivity (outside health-reasons) come from just falling into a routine, where life is not as exciting. After I realized Wick really wasn’t being very active despite 100% free-roam status, I make a point to crawl on the ground, play hide and seek with him, etc.. This seemed to up his activity more, though my knees and back are killin’ me as a result….

Maybe dedicate 15min per day, potentially multiple sessions at different times of day, where you try and get her up and moving? Whether it’s breaking up a treat and putting it into a treat ball, or running around with her with a treat.

This little thing really gets Wick moving, and it’s the only thing I consider he plays with, though he’s only amused when there’s a treat in it, and he isn’t really playing… he just wants to the treat. Your rabbit needs to figure out that she can’t just push it— she has to actively grab onto it and chuck it, haha: http://www.catster.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/toy_0.jpg

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.

[DanaNM]

Thanks, you know that could be part of it! My husband has been working from home a lot, so they’ve been basically free-roam all day, whereas they used to just get mornings and evenings out. Now they are only in their condo at night… so maybe that explains her burst of energy in the morning?

It’s funny though, they sleep in their condo pretty much all day even when they have free-run!

That toy looks fun (prob for Moose and my cat too!) She’s such a cuddler she just wants pets and snuggles when I’m on the ground with her, which is hard to resist.

. . . 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.  

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