Have your rabbits suddenly started sleeping too much and you are wondering what could be the possible reason for that?
Sleeping is a normal thing for rabbits, but when it gets too much, it can be a cause for concern.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the common causes of why your rabbits may suddenly start sleeping so much.
Contents
Why Is My Bunny Sleeping Too Much?
There are several reasons why your rabbit would begin sleeping too much, these reasons may include
- Pain
- Temperature
- Comfort
- Age
If your rabbit is having some pain, it will sleep a lot. Natural rabbits as pretty animals hide pains a lot. This is because rabbits hate to show that they are in pain.
Temperature is another factor that can influence your rabbit into sleeping a lot. This is because when the temperature is very high, moving about will put them at risk of heatstroke.
Comfortability matters too, if your rabbits are not comfortable in their environment or surroundings they will likely sleep fewer hours. Now when they get used to the environment they will gradually extend their sleeping time.
Age is also a factor that determines how long your rabbit sleeps. Older rabbits (more than 6 years old) possess less energy and will eventually sleep more than the younger rabbits.
Now that you have understood what might cause your rabbit to sleep too much, let’s get down to the gist properly.
Should You Be Worried?
If your rabbit’s long sleeping pattern is accompanied by some additional symptoms that may indicate an underlying health issue then you should consult a vet for a proper examination.
Some of these symptoms include:
- Lethargy
- Increase in urination and thirst
- Slow movement
- Hunched posture
- Teeth grinding (loudly)
- Bulging
- Unfocused eyes.
- Staring
- Decreased grooming
When Not To Be Worried
If your rabbit is behaving normally, when we say normally we mean, if they are eating appropriately, urinating, and pooping appropriately, and there are no strange symptoms that you noticed, then your rabbit might not be sick and you should not worry about it.
Are Rabbits Meant To Sleep All Day?
Rabbits are crepuscular animals, which means they are most active during the dawn and dusk hours.
However, rabbits do tend to sleep for much of the day and night, typically for a total of 8-10 hours per day.
Rabbits are naturally programmed to rest and conserve energy during the day, which can include napping, grooming, and other quiet activities.
This is normal behavior for rabbits and is not necessarily a cause for concern.
That being said, if you notice any changes in your rabbit’s sleeping patterns, such as excessive sleepiness, lethargy, or a lack of activity during their awake periods, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue.
How Do I Know When My Rabbit Is Sleeping?
Rabbits have several ways of showing that they are sleeping or resting.
Here are some signs that your rabbit may be sleeping:
- Closed eyes: When rabbits are sleeping, their eyes will be closed or partially closed. Although some rabbits may sleep with their eyes open, so this is not always a reliable indicator.
- Lying down: When rabbits are sleeping, they will usually be lying down on their side, with their legs tucked under their body.
- Relaxed body: A sleeping rabbit will have a relaxed and limp body, with their muscles and limbs slack.
- Slow breathing: A sleeping rabbit will have slow and shallow breathing, which may be difficult to observe unless you are very close to them.
- No movement: When rabbits are sleeping, they will not move around or respond to noises or movements around them.
Remember that rabbits can be easily startled and may wake up abruptly if they hear or sense anything unusual.
If you want to check on your rabbit while they are sleeping, approach them slowly and quietly to avoid startling them.
How Many Hours A Day Should A Rabbit Sleep?
The exact amount of sleep a rabbit needs can vary depending on their age, activity level, and other individual factors, rabbits generally need around 8-10 hours of sleep each day.
Do Bunnies Sleep With Their Eyes Open?
Yes, it’s possible for rabbits to sleep with their eyes open, although it’s more common for rabbits to sleep with their eyes closed or partially closed.
When rabbits sleep with their eyes open, it’s typically because they are in a state of light sleep, where their bodies are still somewhat alert and aware of their surroundings.
In this state, rabbits may keep their eyes open in order to monitor their environment for any potential threats or dangers.
Rabbits will usually close their eyes and enter a deeper state of sleep when they feel safe and comfortable in their environment.
In this deeper state of sleep, rabbits will typically lie down on their side or tuck their head under their body, with their eyes closed or partially closed.
Conclusion
It’s quite difficult to tell if your rabbits are sleeping or not, the reason being that those creatures do sleep a lot.
However, if you notice that they are sleeping more than usual, know that temperature, age, pain, and comfort level are probably the cause.
We hope this article helped you know the reasons why your rabbits may sleep too much. If you have any further questions, common below.
Resource
- R.T. Pivik, F.W. Bylsma, P. Cooper. Laboratory of Neurophysiology, School of Psychology and Departments of Psychiatry and Physiology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada. Sleep—wakefulness rhythms in the rabbit. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0163-1047(86)80016-4.