Why is my rabbit nesting?

B

Buka

Warren Scout

• Mar 30, 2022

• #1

Hi all,

Flopsy, my 8 months old female rabbit (not spayed) has been nesting for the past few days. So far she built 2 nests. I had to unfortunately remove one as it was around cables where she wasn’t allowed to go to. The other nest is in her digging box (hooded litter tray).

Why is she nesting? Is this normal behaviour or is it a sign of stress? Could it be false pregnancy?

There’s no way she’s pregnant.


Thanks all!

 

B

Buka

Warren Scout

• Mar 30, 2022

• #2

https://ibb.co/CMdJm1F

 

InspectorMorse

Wise Old Thumper

• Mar 30, 2022

• #3

If there is no chance that she is pregnant then it is a false pregnancy. Removing the nest will just prolong it as she will build another one. Getting her spayed will make her QOL much better as false pregnancies are very stressful. Spaying also prevents Uterine Adenocarcinoma which effects at least 80% of unspayed Does by the age of 5, sometimes even younger.

 

B

Buka

Warren Scout

• Mar 30, 2022

• #4

Her spay has been continuously delayed since January. This is because she was very poorly. Now she’s back to being healthy but vet delayed the spay again until May as needs to do some extra blood work.

Is there anyway I can help her during this period of false pregnancy?

 

B

Buka

Warren Scout

• Mar 30, 2022

• #5

She’s now lining the nest with her fur

I feel so sorry for her

 

InspectorMorse

Wise Old Thumper

• Mar 30, 2022

• #6

Unfortunately you just have to leave her to it.

 

B

Babsie

Wise Old Thumper

• Mar 30, 2022

• #7

It must be awful having to witness this and unable to help her. I hope her spay goes ahead asap, not only to ‘settle’ her hormones but because of the real risk of uterine cancer in unspayed females.

 

joey&boo

Wise Old Thumper

• Mar 30, 2022

• #8

Poor lamb, I hope this episode is over soon.

 

Graciee

Moderator

Staff member

• Mar 30, 2022

• #9

Buka said:

She’s now lining the nest with her fur

I feel so sorry for her

Click to expand...

I have a rabbit that did this and continues to after her spay, it's really upsetting to see actually best thing is to let her get on with it unfortunately

Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk

 

B

Buka

Warren Scout

• Mar 30, 2022

• #10

Thanks all…
I’ll just let her get on with it

And I’ll try and give her extra attention

 

bunny momma

Wise Old Thumper

• Mar 31, 2022

• #11

I hope your vet can get her into the spay schedule soon. Sending vibes the episode soon resolves.

 

InspectorMorse

Wise Old Thumper

• Mar 31, 2022

• #12

To add, she can’t be spayed during or immediately after a false pregnancy as her uterus will be engorged with blood making the risk of haemorrhage during surgery much higher.