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Depressed Bunny

Truffton

New Kit
I have had my rabbit Arthur (female) for a year now, since she was 6weeks old. Recently i found out she is almost completely blind although this hasn't seemed to affect her at all (doesn't fall off things, run into things etc)
Arthur has become really withdrawn lately, she comes out of her cage only to sit under my bed rarely being tempted out. She got a little more active earlier when i started preparing a dig box for her but has since lost interest.
I have been working like crazy for the past few months and i know this is a huge part of why she's like this. I've also spent a few weeks out of the country and my flatmates have looked after her. I know she hates being alone in my room for so long though. Unfortunately i work in fashion and so although work is quiet now i'm going to have another crazy period soon.


Arthur is unbonded and i'm not sure my flatmates would be happy with me getting her a friend.
I really need a way to cheer her up though and maybe some advice of ways to keep her happier while i'm not here so much.
She has loads of toys, balls with bells, parrot hanging toys, chew blocks and now a dig box...

Sorry for the long post but thanks in advance for advice!

Hayley
 
All I can suggest is a friend for her. I had a lone rabbit for three years and he was happy enough until I started back to work and he became withdrawn. Got him a friend and it was like we got him back too.
 
I realise your flatmates might not be thrilled with the idea but your no 1 priority has to be Arthur. A companion would mean that she wouldn't be lonely without you and might also mena that she has a 'guide' to help her and so would have the confidence to leave her cage more often. Does she have free range of your room all the time?

You are trying hard to help her and I hope you can find a way to get her spark back.
 
I know its already been mentioned but I really cant see another way to ease her loneliness other than a friend. Maybe your flatmates wouldnt mind a teeny tiny friend? just to tempt you: http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/moreinfo.asp?RabID=24949 :love:

My flatmates werent thrilled about me getting my bun a friend either, but at the end of the day its my house too, and two rabbits arent all that different to having one. They came around soon after they met her and saw how adorable she is.

Otherwise, have you tried giving her a cuddly toy? Some bunnies seem to think they are real and cuddle up to and groom them, its quite sad really that they want a friend so badly, but it can help them. Watch she doesnt eat any of the stuffing though. Some bunnies just ignore them though.

The only other thing I can think of is to keep the furniture and everything in the room the same, as it can really upset blind bunnies if you move things about. Unfortunately rabbits dont tend to play with toys much, so other than getting her a friend there's not a lot you can do. But does she have things like these:
http://www.equinecaninefeline.com/catalog/savic-bunny-roll-around-boredom-breaker-p-6767.html
and
http://www.petsathome.com/shop/christmas-treat-ball-by-pets-at-home-60619
they sell them both instore at Pets at Home too. Keeping her eating for as long as possible (scatter feed as well as the toys) can really help reduce boredem. And of course it goes without saying that the right diet will help, so make sure she's eating a pile of good quality hay at least the size of herself everyday.
edit:Giving her lots of different types of hay could also make life more interesting for her, this site is the best for that: https://www.thehayexperts.co.uk/Hays,+Grasses+%2526+Herbs.4/Select+by+Hay+Type.130/
 
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