Rabbit issues?

Question

okay so my rabbit pretty much eats, and started jumping up and down in the cage, and just plopped itself down, and began to lay down. like its legs and feat to the side. is that alright?

Answer 1

Rabbits have tendencies to get spunky like that, mine usually run in circles, like a dog trying to lay down, but they can go for hours. and when they wear themselves out, they will sprawl out in the strangest manners, I've even caught some of mine on their backs.

Answer 2

Sounds normal, but obviously something disturbed you enough to ask a question about it, so I'll try to fill in the blanks.
The rabbit could have been just bored and working off some steam.
How was its breathing, and how long has it been lying there, without moving? Was it gasping with its mouth open? Are its eyes bugging out?
How vigorously was it jumping around? Maybe it was startled.
Can it get up? If it can't get up, and can't move its hind legs, it broke its back when it was jumping around. If possible, get it to the vet for some anti-inflamatories, or if you don't want to bother, grind up an eighth of a tablet of Ibuprofen or Advil and feed it to the rabbit. A broken back is probably a death sentence anyway. Keep giving it anti-inflamatory pills, keep it eating, and watch it a few days to see if it improves. Take some of the rabbit's droppings, powder them, and put them in the food, too (this is a tip from my vet). If the injury was just a strain or a tear, the rabbit might recover; if its back is truly broken, it won't, and its quality of life is shot. Don't make it linger.
Hopefully, your rabbit was just burning off some steam and flopped over because it was tired. Perfectly normal rabbit behavior.

Answer 3

Oh! the bunny flop. That is the sign of a happy rabbit! Ours will sort of shake a little then flop down and half roll over then stretch out in pure bliss. Shows that your bunny is happy and relaxed. If you remember that rabbits are prey animals, the longer it will take for them to get up and run, the more relaxed and safe they feel.

Answer 4

Do you let it out of the cage to get some exercise? Rabbits like to run and jump (my rabbits did these incredible arabesque-like spins and flips, just breathtaking) when they were happy. And then when they got tired, they'd find a comfy place to lie down to rest for a while.

Answer 5

Sounds like a happy rabbit to me. There's a brilliant description of the various behaviours here

http://www.muridae.com/rabbits/rabbittalk.html

If you have a safe place you could let your rabbit run around you'll see some amazing acrobatics.

Answer 6

That's what is known as a "dead bunny flop." Your rabbit is simply very relaxed. However, you might want to check out www.rabbit.org Rabbits can be much more entertaining pets and need out of cage time.

Answer 7

my rabbit doesn't have a cage, he is litter box trained. maybe he needs to get out of the cage and run around or cuddle for a little while. check your rabbits breathing, is it fast or shallow? you can email me if you want. i have a book for rabbit health.

Answer 8

Oh honey! Be happy, all it means is that he's comfortable around you. Since they are a prey animal, it is their instinct to be very cautious. So, ya, he loves ya! I remember the first time my bunny layed down and stretched out, I thought he was sick or something too!

Answer 9

it prob just chillin out. my mum has a rabbit that sleeps on it side and goes into a deep sleep but it ok. if ya still worried they gt a website ya can go ta for more help and advise. its lecoeurrabbitrescue.co.uk

Answer 10

Its probably tired.