Dig, Thump, Dig, Thump

[TwoOfaKind]

Hi Everyone! My Bunny, Molly, is going on 4 years old. In her old age though, she's getting grouchy

She's picky, she will only come out of her cage when *she* wants to, even if I leave the door open for hours. Then, she'll dig like crazy at her cage, usually when I'm trying to sleep (LOL!); She'll also occasionally thump, which isn't a big deal in and of itself, although it is loud.

I wish I knew if she was trying to tell me something, or is it just part of getting old ?

[VoodooJoint]

Is she spayed? If not that is probably where the problem is coming from. Unaltered rabbits usually have hormonal problems. Her hormones are likely telling her to stay near her nest to guard it (her cage). She has established that as her territory and is reluctant to leave it because someone might try to take it from her.

If she's spayed then I would suspect that something outside the cage hurt or scared her. or instance, one of my rabbits used to have a bad habit of going upstairs (the buns are not allowed up there). He managed to find an unprotected lamp cord, chewed it and got shocked (no harm done to him thank goodness). As a result he no longer goes upstairs. Upstairs is scary! Something up there attacked him. Your rabbit could be having the same issues.

Thumping is not always because they are scared. It's territorial and a way to communicate and even have fun. In her case it sounds territorial. She digs to try to expand her nest. Then she thumps to warn other rabbits that may hear her digging that they are not welcome.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Ditto the above.

Is she spayed?

4 isn't really old either. Average lifespan for neutered, indoor house rabbits is 7-8 years, sometimes up to 11-12 years.

[Jennicat]

Agree with the excellent posts above. Rabbits may also thump to just express annoyance. Our current boarder thumps whenever the dog is being particularly loud and obnoxious (she can hear her thundering around the house).

Really agree on four not being old in the least.

[Rattie Mom]

Our Sam bunny (female) thumps occassionally too. She has several different reasons for it. Primarily it's a way of saying "stand back, you silly human" or "warning, something is not right here in the kitchen" (she thumped furiously one day, when my cat brought in a mouse. It was because of Sam, that I was able to get my cat away from the mouse, usher it into a box and take it back outside to safety). She's currently on meds from a close call with stasis. She thumps quite a few times in protest, after we give her the meds.

Sam also digs furiously in her litter box each morning, and chews loudly on the cardboard box. This is her way of telling us "ok, it's time for my breakfast....you will NOT sleep in, if I can help it".

I notice both of my bunnies digging at their fleece blankets. But they just don't like the way they are laying currently and feel the need to move them around.

My bunnies are both altered.

One thing I HAVE noticed....and don't laugh ok? Sam bunny is MUCH more insistant about digging furiously in the litter box (and will kick ALL the litter out of the box) during a full moon. NO lie!

[Silverbeat]

House rabbits have been known to live to 17 and 18 years of age. 4 is not very old.
Rabbits thump when they are annoyed or when they feel they are in danger. They dig because it is natural to them.
If she is not spayed you should seriously consider it. Rabbits, especially females, have extremely high risks of developing reproductive disorders and cancers as they grow older [after she hits six years of age, Molly will need more frequent visits to the vet as well].