Hiding

[bunnyboobandit]

I bought my rabbit from his former owner that couldn't afford to take care of him anymore he loves attention and loves kids but lately he has been hiding out when we let him out to exercise he's almost three years old I don't understand why he wants to hide all the time. At his old home he would lay out in the middle of the floor and now you can barely catch him out in the open I'm not sure what to do. Is he unhappy or depressed I'm not sure?

 

[Imbrium]

How long have you had him? Also, has his behavior changed since he moved into your own home or did it change when he went from his old home to yours? If the behavior change happened with re-homing, he probably just isn't settled in yet - after all, he had to leave behind everything he knew; his owner, his home, his familiar surroundings. It can take some time for a rabbit to settle into a new environment and adjust to all the changes .

 

[PaGal]

Remember buns are prey animals and so it can be in their nature to hide. My boy is very laid back and not much spooks him but he will even at times choose to sleep during the day where he knows no one can get to him.

Is their different flooring where he is choosing to hide then there is in the rest of the area? Just wondering if it's possible he prefers the flooring there. Thumper lays on the little bit of linoleum in his room and in his cage stretched out during the summer. During the winter he prefers the carpet and lays in bunloaf position mostly. Our home is kept the same temp all year whether through heat or AC but it does make a difference to the buns.

What time are you letting him out at? Buns tend to be most active at dusk and dawn. They tend to sleep through the day although each bun can be different in their habits.

 

[bunnyboobandit]

He doesn't play as much as he did in the summer. In the summer he will lay on the ac vent and will play when someone gets in the floor and will go to the sliding door to watch birds but in the winter it seems he is on the carpet all the time and doesn't want to be active as much

 

[bunnyboobandit]

We have had him for about 8 months now he warmed up to our home very quickly

 

[Imbrium]

How long ago did the behavioral change start? Also, is he eating, drinking, pooping and peeing normally? A sudden change of behavior (with or without other symptoms) can potentially be a sign that a bunny isn't feeling well.

 

[bunnyboobandit]

He eats and everything just as normal but he never chews on anything like his blocks or boxes we give him his left eye is watery lately and making the hair around his eye all crusty we are planning on taking him to see the vet and see if something is going on with his teeth or his eye

 

[JBun]

I agree with Jennifer. A sudden change of behavior can sometimes indicate a health problem. I'm glad you'll be taking him to your vet. The runny eye could certainly be because of the teeth or an eye problem. You may want to get him in asap so he doesn't develop a secondary problem like GI stasis. Let us know how it goes at the vets.

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/weepy.pdf

 

[bunnyboobandit]

We have his appointment for next Wednesday the crazy part of his appointment is that his check ups cost less than a humans check up haha!
I will let you know what they say