If your rabbit suddenly hides away, becomes aggressive, or refuses food, it’s rarely just “out of character.” These behaviours are usually the rabbit’s way of saying: “Something isn’t right.”
Common early warning behaviours include:
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Hiding in their house or litter tray more than usual
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Refusing favourite foods or dropping them
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Showing aggression (lunging, growling, nipping) when normally gentle
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Sitting hunched or pressing the belly to the floor
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Reduced or no interest in grooming, toys, or interaction
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A sudden change in toilet habits (small, misshapen, or no droppings)
Even if the abdomen doesn’t feel swollen, rabbits can still be in distress. Gut stasis, dental issues, urinary problems, or even something like gas pain can cause these behaviours.
Common Health Issues Behind Sudden Behaviour Changes
1. Gastrointestinal (GI) Stasis
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One of the most common rabbit emergencies.
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Gut slows down or stops, causing pain and rapid decline.
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Symptoms: refusing food, fewer or no droppings, sitting hunched.
👉 Read more: RWAF on gut stasis
2. Dental Disease
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Rabbit teeth never stop growing. Misalignment or spurs can make eating painful.
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Symptoms: dropping food, refusing hard treats, drooling, weight loss.
👉 Info: House Rabbit Society – dental health
3. Gas or Bloating
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Can cause sudden, severe pain.
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Symptoms: pressing belly to floor, refusing food, grinding teeth.
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Needs urgent vet care.
4. Urinary Tract Issues
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Bladder sludge or stones are painful and can make rabbits hide away.
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Symptoms: straining to urinate, blood in urine, wet fur around bottom.
5. Pain or Stress from Injury/Illness
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Arthritis, abscesses, infections, or internal issues can all cause rabbits to retreat and become defensive.
When to Call the Vet
👉 If your rabbit stops eating or producing droppings, this is an emergency.
Rabbits need a constant flow of food through their digestive system. Even 8–12 hours without eating can cause serious complications.
👉 If their behaviour changes suddenly — for example, aggression, hiding, or refusing a treat — always contact a rabbit-savvy vet. It’s not overreacting.
👉 If you’re unsure — it’s better to make the call. Vets can triage over the phone and tell you whether to come in immediately.
What to Do While You Wait for the Vet
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Keep them warm and comfortable. Stress can make illness worse.
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Do not force-feed if they’re refusing — unless instructed by a vet.
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Offer hay, forage, and fresh water so they can eat if they choose.
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Monitor droppings and urine closely.
Building Awareness as Owners
At Guinea Garden Sanctuary and through Guinea Gourmet Treats, I’ve seen many rabbits arrive who were overlooked at home until it was too late. Often the first signs were “just a bit quiet” or “a bit grumpy” — but those little changes were actually the start of something serious.
That’s why education is so important. Rabbits are not like cats or dogs. Their silence and subtlety mean owners must learn to read the signs early.
Supporting Recovery with Nutrition
Once your rabbit is home from the vet, diet and environment play a key role in recovery.
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High-fibre hay keeps the gut moving.
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Natural forage (dandelion, plantain, herbs) can tempt them to eat when pellets don’t.
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Enrichment and calm surroundings reduce stress, allowing healing to happen.
At Guinea Gourmet Treats, our handmade forage blends are designed with recovery and enrichment in mind. They’re suitable not just for rabbits, but also guinea pigs, hamsters, and even Giant African Land Snails. They encourage natural foraging behaviour while supporting digestive health 🌿
👉 Explore our range here: https://www.guineagourmettreats.co.uk
Final Thoughts
You are never “overreacting” if you notice a sudden behaviour change in your rabbit. Hiding, refusing food, or unexpected aggression are urgent signals that something is wrong. Acting quickly can save a life.
Adopting rabbits means learning to listen to the subtle ways they communicate. By paying attention, working with rabbit-savvy vets, and supporting them with a natural, respectful lifestyle, you’re giving them the best chance to live a long, happy life.
💛 Stay alert, stay compassionate, and never be afraid to make that vet call. Your rabbits depend on it.
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