Bunny upset by move

[Sissy]

Bunny had a hutch/run setup in the garage for the summer. It worked pretty well and access to the garden was easy. So with the weather getting colder I decided to move his entire setup into the house (in a cool spare room). He was used to some free roam time in the house and often visited this spare room. Today i did the actual move. His enclosure works out slightly smaller but he will have loads more free roam time. Bunny moved this morning but seems most unhappy. He has been in a loaf in the corner all afternoon. He is usually loafy in the afternoons anyway. What concerns me more is that he hasn't touched his hay, pellets or lunchtime salad leaves. I left him alone for a couple of hours, and just now went into him with an offering of broccoli but he didn't want to know. I'm wishing now that I had left him in the garage where he was settled. I've never seen him upset like this before. I thought i was doing the best thing for him but now i'm worried the change is going to make him ill.

 

[TreasuredFriend]

We have moved rabbits of all ages into a different environment; they come from outdoor hutches, high-vol stress-causing shelters, abandonment, homes with other pets who stress the rabbit, or rabbit owners who simply are unaware.

Wonderful to see that your boy/girl will have ample roaming time and interaction with you, and you are constantly monitoring his behavior to the change.

Is he used to getting gassy cruciferous veggies like broccoli. Some veggies are culprits wrt causing a gassy stomach and loafy posture. Loafy posture is the first sign something is off.

We had to hussle our 5 y.o. n/male to the vet last week when he suddenly refused his hay, pellets, salad greens, and acted abnormal. Highly Abnormal Behavior. Xray showed a huge gas pocket or possible obstruction.

I hope your boy will be okay and the loafy position is not due to illness or GI malady. If he's not moving, call your vet asap. GI stasis can be deadly.

 

[Sissy]

Guys, I cannot tell you the emotions that rabbit has put me through today! After posting this I decided to see if a fresh bowl of salad would tempt him. He agreed to take a sniff, then a nibble, then wolfed down the whole lot. Pellets, hay and water quickly followed. It was like he suddenly remembered what a rabbit is supposed to do. This evening he has had a little run round upstairs. He seemed to understand then that he is now living in the room next to mine. I think he'll be ok now he's got his little head around it. Tomorrow i just need to tweak the panels of his pen a bit. Hopefully neither of us will have a nervous breakdown! My garage is now a total mess and i've got hay everywhere, but at least Bunny is all right.

 

[Sissy]

We have moved rabbits of all ages into a different environment; they come from outdoor hutches, high-vol stress-causing shelters, abandonment, homes with other pets who stress the rabbit, or rabbit owners who simply are unaware.

Wonderful to see that your boy/girl will have ample roaming time and interaction with you, and you are constantly monitoring his behavior to the change.

Is he used to getting gassy cruciferous veggies like broccoli. Some veggies are culprits wrt causing a gassy stomach and loafy posture. Loafy posture is the first sign something is off.

We had to hussle our 5 y.o. n/male to the vet last week when he suddenly refused his hay, pellets, salad greens, and acted abnormal. Highly Abnormal Behavior. Xray showed a huge gas pocket or possible obstruction.

I hope your boy will be okay and the loafy position is not due to illness or GI malady. If he's not moving, call your vet asap. GI stasis can be deadly.

I was so worried he would go into stasis but he has eaten his usual amount this morning. Broccoli is a treat thing rather than a regular item. Usually he snatches it from my hand and runs off to devour it! This morning he has left a few droppings around his hutch. So far he doesn't seem to be using his litter tray, which he was great with before the move. Now he keeps sitting beside the tray, reaching in for hay but not actually jumping inside the tray. I think it will take him a bit longer to settle. It's hard to get the balance right between giving him quiet time on his own, and constantly wanting to check on him. I hope I am not doing his head in!

 

[Imbrium]

Guys, I cannot tell you the emotions that rabbit has put me through today! After posting this I decided to see if a fresh bowl of salad would tempt him. He agreed to take a sniff, then a nibble, then wolfed down the whole lot. Pellets, hay and water quickly followed. It was like he suddenly remembered what a rabbit is supposed to do.

I laughed out loud when I read this... specifically because I've been there more than once (or twice)! Man, can rabbits take you on an emotional roller-coaster. Some of them tend to get extremely butt-hurt about change. When I clean out Nala's condo after letting old, strewn-about hay pile up too long, she glares and pouts for maybe an hour like a teenage girl about "WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY ROOM, MOM?!"... and then, quite abruptly, she stops and realizes "wait, it's clean, I LOVE when it's clean!" I can't criticize too much though, lol. I hate change, too... but give me a little while to wrap my head around it and suddenly I'm willing to admit that things have changed for the better. Rabbits are exactly the same way.

 

[JenGibs]

I laughed out loud when I read this... specifically because I've been there more than once (or twice)! Man, can rabbits take you on an emotional roller-coaster. Some of them tend to get extremely butt-hurt about change. When I clean out Nala's condo after letting old, strewn-about hay pile up too long, she glares and pouts for maybe an hour like a teenage girl about "WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY ROOM, MOM?!"... and then, quite abruptly, she stops and realizes "wait, it's clean, I LOVE when it's clean!" I can't criticize too much though, lol. I hate change, too... but give me a little while to wrap my head around it and suddenly I'm willing to admit that things have changed for the better. Rabbits are exactly the same way.

I could not agree more! These little stinkers! Mine have given me a few heart attacks I must admit.
When I do the cleaning of the yukk hay on and around their box, they stare at me and protest pee for about 2 days outside of their box...but as close to it as you can get without actually being IN it!!!!!
TreasuredFriend- I haven’t heard about loafing being a bad sign. When mine are tired about 50% of the time they flop and the other 50% they loaf. Can you educate me on what you know please so I know what to look for?

 

[Sissy]

I laughed out loud when I read this... specifically because I've been there more than once (or twice)! Man, can rabbits take you on an emotional roller-coaster. Some of them tend to get extremely butt-hurt about change. When I clean out Nala's condo after letting old, strewn-about hay pile up too long, she glares and pouts for maybe an hour like a teenage girl about "WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY ROOM, MOM?!"... and then, quite abruptly, she stops and realizes "wait, it's clean, I LOVE when it's clean!" I can't criticize too much though, lol. I hate change, too... but give me a little while to wrap my head around it and suddenly I'm willing to admit that things have changed for the better. Rabbits are exactly the same way.

It had crossed my mind to move him back to the garage in spring - but I don't think I can go through it all again! We had the full works during Monday. Foot flicking. Turning his back on me. Then he would turn round to glare at me - just so he could turn his back again and make extra sure I noticed. He had me so worried when he refused lunch. It was horrible!

I was holding his sweet head in my hands today, picturing how small his brain must be. But the complexity of what goes on in there is quite amazing. He is a beautiful little tyrant, and I love him!

 

[Sissy]

I could not agree more! These little stinkers! Mine have given me a few heart attacks I must admit.
When I do the cleaning of the yukk hay on and around their box, they stare at me and protest pee for about 2 days outside of their box...but as close to it as you can get without actually being IN it!!!!!
TreasuredFriend- I haven’t heard about loafing being a bad sign. When mine are tired about 50% of the time they flop and the other 50% they loaf. Can you educate me on what you know please so I know what to look for?

Beautiful rabbits in your profile pic JenGibs. I think we have resolved the litter tray issue as he's been absolutely perfect with it today.

I didn't mean to imply loafing is bad in itself, btw. You just get to know what is normal for your own rabbit. Mine will usually go quiet around noon and be all hunched up for a good 3 hours or so. This fits in well with my own routine as I am out most afternoons. By the time I get home at about 4 he is just perking up again with a look that says "ok, what's next?" But if he was loafing excessively, or at an unusual time, and especially if he was refusing food as well, then I would be worried. So, yes, he definitely had me worried on moving day, but all's well that ends well, as they say.

 

[JenGibs]

Beautiful rabbits in your profile pic JenGibs. I think we have resolved the litter tray issue as he's been absolutely perfect with it today.

I didn't mean to imply loafing is bad in itself, btw. You just get to know what is normal for your own rabbit. Mine will usually go quiet around noon and be all hunched up for a good 3 hours or so. This fits in well with my own routine as I am out most afternoons. By the time I get home at about 4 he is just perking up again with a look that says "ok, what's next?" But if he was loafing excessively, or at an unusual time, and especially if he was refusing food as well, then I would be worried. So, yes, he definitely had me worried on moving day, but all's well that ends well, as they say.

Thanks! I have 3 Angoras, a mini Rex and a dwarf lion head. 2 Angoras are bonded, the other Angora and Mini Rex are bonded and the little lion head is solo.....she is so tiny I am afraid she will get hurt with the big guys! I will attach some pics. (2 cream colored Angoras are Waffles and Butters, Gray Angora and Rex are Wally and Eva and the little lion head is Camilla. She is 2 pounds and fully grown).
Thanks for further explaining the loaf thing. Mine do it all the time! They tend to be chill from about 9am-12pm, get up and wreak a little havoc, chill again from about 2pm-5pm then it’s on until salad at 7:30 and bed at 9. They chill for a bit and love to find every single noisy thing they can from 12am-5am along with a few rounds of chase and hide and seek. At 5am they are pretty much demanding breakfast. Who can ignore those sweet faces! Lol....
What did you guys do with the litter box situation? Glad it’s working!

 

[Sissy]

Thanks! I have 3 Angoras, a mini Rex and a dwarf lion head. 2 Angoras are bonded, the other Angora and Mini Rex are bonded and the little lion head is solo.....she is so tiny I am afraid she will get hurt with the big guys! I will attach some pics. (2 cream colored Angoras are Waffles and Butters, Gray Angora and Rex are Wally and Eva and the little lion head is Camilla. She is 2 pounds and fully grown).
Thanks for further explaining the loaf thing. Mine do it all the time! They tend to be chill from about 9am-12pm, get up and wreak a little havoc, chill again from about 2pm-5pm then it’s on until salad at 7:30 and bed at 9. They chill for a bit and love to find every single noisy thing they can from 12am-5am along with a few rounds of chase and hide and seek. At 5am they are pretty much demanding breakfast. Who can ignore those sweet faces! Lol....
What did you guys do with the litter box situation? Glad it’s working!

Oh the gorgeousness of those bunnies, JenGibs! I didn't know Angoras got so big actually. The pic of the two side by side is beyond cute!

Re litter tray, on further investigation I found Bunny was doing all his toiletting business in the cardboard box at the dark end of his hutch. Obviously that was where he was feeling most secure, after the stress of moving upstairs. Since that was his preferred spot I just moved his litter tray in there. I also put a fresh cardboard box at the opposite end of the hutch, in case he wanted something to get inside of. When the litter tray was out in his pen he could stick his sweet little bottom over the edge to leave me a nice pee puddle on the floor! He can't do that now because the tray is snug against the walls and he only tends to use one corner of it. So far, no puddles or damp patches at all. Also I am managing to keep the hay more contained rather than treading it through the house. Everybody's happy!

 

[JenGibs]

Oh the gorgeousness of those bunnies, JenGibs! I didn't know Angoras got so big actually. The pic of the two side by side is beyond cute!

Re litter tray, on further investigation I found Bunny was doing all his toiletting business in the cardboard box at the dark end of his hutch. Obviously that was where he was feeling most secure, after the stress of moving upstairs. Since that was his preferred spot I just moved his litter tray in there. I also put a fresh cardboard box at the opposite end of the hutch, in case he wanted something to get inside of. When the litter tray was out in his pen he could stick his sweet little bottom over the edge to leave me a nice pee puddle on the floor! He can't do that now because the tray is snug against the walls and he only tends to use one corner of it. So far, no puddles or damp patches at all. Also I am managing to keep the hay more contained rather than treading it through the house. Everybody's happy!

Thanks! They are a lot of fur mostly. I will attach a pic of one with a haircut and one without. They are brother and sister.
Oh, they love that blue crate! That is what I put them in when we go in the car. They will randomly jump in it and look at me like “Are we going for a ride mom?”. Ummmmmmm no.....?
I’m so glad you figured out the litter box thing! These guys can be so sneaky but we love them right? lol....

 

[Sissy]

Thanks! They are a lot of fur mostly. I will attach a pic of one with a haircut and one without. They are brother and sister.
Oh, they love that blue crate! That is what I put them in when we go in the car. They will randomly jump in it and look at me like “Are we going for a ride mom?”. Ummmmmmm no.....?
I’m so glad you figured out the litter box thing! These guys can be so sneaky but we love them right? lol....

Aaw, so sweet. The coat still looks quite woolly after a haircut. I am curious whether you get enough hair off them to use in any way?

 

[Camelia_Eva]

have you tried using Rescue Remedy? or the Bach Flower Walnut to adapt to their new place? Rock Rose for fears. They work wonders!

Bunnies are sooooo cute!!!!

 

[JBun]

I could not agree more! These little stinkers! Mine have given me a few heart attacks I must admit.
When I do the cleaning of the yukk hay on and around their box, they stare at me and protest pee for about 2 days outside of their box...but as close to it as you can get without actually being IN it!!!!!
TreasuredFriend- I haven’t heard about loafing being a bad sign. When mine are tired about 50% of the time they flop and the other 50% they loaf. Can you educate me on what you know please so I know what to look for?

I think what TreasuredFriend was referring to with the 'loafy posture', was when they are hunched up, lethargic, not moving, not eating/drinking, as this can sometimes indicate a gassy stomach. Sitting hunched up sick and the sleeping loafing position will look completely different.

Wow! They are so tiny under all that fluff

 

[JenGibs]

Aaw, so sweet. The coat still looks quite woolly after a haircut. I am curious whether you get enough hair off them to use in any way?

The cream colored ones have very thick fur. The gray one (who is actually their dad) has much less dense fur.
I do not use their fur for anything. I end up with a whole black lawn and leaf trash bag full of fur when I am done with haircuts!

 

[Sissy]

have you tried using Rescue Remedy? or the Bach Flower Walnut to adapt to their new place? Rock Rose for fears. They work wonders!

Bunnies are sooooo cute!!!!

Good suggestion, thanks. I will get some Rescue Remedy in case of another stressful event!