is my rabbit going nuts?

Hi guys
im new to the forum so please be kind. I have recently become worried about our rabbit called Hoppus. His behaviour (Generally at night time) has become very strange. Normally he's a placid rabbit that just chills out in one of his hiding holes but recently he has become quite agitated running around smashing into things (slippery floor) stamping his feet as if he's scared / worried when there is NO percieved threat or loud noise. However if i go and sit with him give a little cuddle etc he's ok until i leave the room then after 30 mins or so he'll stop, then randomly start up again.


Some info:
Hoppus is a neutered 7 year old Netherlands Dwarf lopp. He's a house rabbit that has the run of the downstairs. He's eating and drinking ok (perhaps drinks a lot although i cant confirm if all the water is drunk or spilled). He's fed a varied diet with hay, cereal and veg plus grass.
We have 2 very lazy cats who he's grown up with and arn't bothered by him. 1 soppy adult dog which tends to steer clear. We're experienced rabbit keepers (on number 4) and i believe look after him very well. normally he keeps him self to him self unless some opens the fridge...

Im worried he's actually going nuts! As if he's seeing / hearing things that dont exist!

any advise please?

Rabbits are very very in tune with their surroundings. Personally I would not be letting the cats and the dog in the room with him whilst unsupervised. Are you 100% sure neither of these animals are chasing him/scaring him?

Do you have foxes/strange cats in the area? Perhaps he can smell/hear/see a predator outside and this is what is freaking him out.

Although, it could be that he is simply being more active. It is spring and most rabbits (even neutered ones) get something called "spring fever", where they go a little crazy. :lol: Usually this would mean humping their partners, chasing each other around or simply being "happy".

Does he have a bonded partner? Perhaps he is feeling frustrated at being alone? Although stamping is often a fear response, it can also be an angry response. Quite a few times I have never found out why my buns are thumping.

Also, does he have anywhere to get off the slippery floor? When you say slipper, I presume it's laminate or tiled? Just thinking of his age, he may be getting a bit of arthritis and is finding it difficult to gain traction on the laminate and then panicking. I have laminate in my room, but most of it is covered with carpet, towels, vet bed etc. When one of my bun (who hates the laminate) accidentally steps onto it, she panics and tries to run off it, making her slip more and making a right racket. :roll:

Sorry for all the questions, and welcome to the forum! :wave:

It's tough without seeing the behaviour to tell but what you describe, particularly if he's stamping too suggests he's perceiving a threat - rabbits have excellent hearing/eyesight so it maybe he's detecting something you aren't aware of, for example a fox passing outside. You could try recording him whilst you aren't there - if he's sensing something I'd expect you to see him initially sit/stand upright freeze for a moment, then stamp/panic.

The dashing about crashing into things, is a typical of a panicking rabbit that can't find cover, I'd suggest adding a rug for grip and several options for hiding places eg cardboard boxes with doors (rabbits generally prefer two entrances/exits per box) and tunnels.

You could also play a radio on a classical/talk station quietly to help mask any noise.

It would be worth noting the time when it happens to see if that helps you work out the triggers - we've had people with rabbits reacting to things like the aircon coming on via a timer.

Rabbits are social animals - the stamping is him warning you of a threat and that he calms down when you are there is probably because you aren't panicking, rabbits rely of signals from the group so you being calm implies to him that whatever is worrying him might not be a danger. Even if he doesn't seem to socialise a lot, he's probably very attached to you

That said, it certainly wouldn't hurt to get him checked out by a vet just to check there isn't a medical issue behind it as it's so out of character for him. Particularly if you can't work out a trigger.

Hi guys
firstly thanks for getting back to me.

let me address a few questions
@vegan_buuny
my cats are usually asleep on my bed and the dog sleeps far away in the house at that time, im quite confident its not them. to be honest Hoppus rules the house and they know he's my favourite so they stay clear. Where he does this behaviour isnt near any windows or doors so i dont think he's hearing or smelling other animals. His partner died unfortunately and i have chosen not to get another due to his advancing age i didnt think it was fair on any new addition to then lose him in the near future.

The floor is painted concrete and natural oak flooring he's spent most of his life on it (except when out side) there are places for him to get off of it and hide.

@Tamsin unfortunately a rug is not an option he's taken a liking to living in the kitchen... i don't want to add a trip hazard. He has cardboard boxes to hide in and he loves making tunnels through, plus some other hiding spots not accessible to other animals. I'll see if i can record him and work out if anything makes him jump. And ill take him to our vets also.

ive noticed he's stopped grooming his head and ears (which i miss because of how cute he looks when doing so) im wondering if age is catching up with him. And during a cuddle today it looked like his eyes are a little cloudy but im not sure if thats new or im just becoming sensitive.

cheers

Cloudy eyes can (I think) be a sign of glaucoma. I wonder if he is losing his sight and perhaps feeling a bit anxious as he can't see his way around? When did his partner die? It could also be that suddenly being alone has increased his anxiety.

I'd probably suggest a vet trip re the eye. In the meantime I guess anything you can do to make him feel more at ease - keeping him confined to a smaller space with non-slip floors, giving him lots of places to hide e.g. boxes, and perhaps even a teddy for him to snuggle up to (sounds silly but lone buns will often ssnuggle up to and groom a teddy!).

Sorry just realised I've suggested things you've already said - tight for time so didn't read the whole thread, sorry ignore the vet and cardboard box comments!

I don't have any advice really, but I think the point someone else made about a possible increase in anxiety because his partner has died, might be valid. My rabbit April, is a very anxious rabbit as she came from a bad home. She is so much more relaxed and chilled when she has another rabbit to follow and boss her about. Perhaps you could adopt an older bunny who is the same age, so that Hoppus feels less anxious?

It may be a health concern, I really don't know much about rabbit illness, I usually come on here for that!

Hi guys thanks

his partner died at least 2 years ago. this behaviour has only been happening for the past 2 weeks. @katie88 i think the same about the eyes!

I think a once over at the vet would be a good idea. Although you can't stop aging, there are some things that can be treated and although seven is beginning to get on a bit, rabbits can live til 10 or so. Ruling out a physical problem, or treating any there might be would be a good first step. As rabbits are prey animals they are very good at hiding signs of ill heath so often it's a change in behaviour that only an owner that knows them well would notice that can be the first sign.

For flooring, you could try rubber matting, that way it's got grip but doesn't roll up at the edges to cause a trip hazard. If he's getting a bit of arthritis it might be he doesn't cope as well with the surface as he did as a youngster.

One option re partners would be to adopt an older rabbit from a rescue, they sometimes have in 6/7 year olds as well as youngsters

I would agree with Tamsin and get him checked over by the vet.

I have just recently got my 5.5 year old girl a new bunfriend and they are getting on well (he is about 3) and has put some spark back into her life. She was never fully bonded with another rabbit but had 2 living next to her wiht a partition. Unfortunately the last one passed away in October. So it may be worth thinking about another bun if you think it is the right thing to do.

I would definitely think about getting him a friend, providing the vet trip goes well and they think he is healthy. There are many older buns looking for homes, and 7 isn't really THAT old. He may have quite a few years left in him yet. :thumb: