urgent - My Rabbit is not drinking his water, I dont know if it is just nerves or could be something else.

Question
I recently moved into a new apartment. I have a 7 year old Holland Lop and since the move he has not been drinking his water. He has moved twice before, first from the family I adopted him from when he was about a year old, and then about a year later to a new house with me. He took to the first 2 moves fine, but seems like he is taking this one harder, no doubt because he didn't live in the first two locations for very long, then spent 5 years at my last home. Currently he seems ok, he is being social, though a bit more reclusive then normal. He is eating (diet consists of fresh veggies and timothy hey, no pellets) but I have not seen or heard him take a drink in a few days. I have used both tap and then filtered water. I have been making sure his lunch is very wet so at the very least he is getting water into his system that way, but I am concerned about the lack of drinking. Is this just a normal response to the move that he will get over once he settles in a bit more? Is there something I can do to help him, or make sure he doesn't get dehydrated? Or is this serious and I should set up a Vet appointment?

Answer
Dear Bryan,

I worry more when a rabbit drinks excessively than when they don't appear to drink enough.  Usually, they are getting enough liquid from the food they eat if they are not drinking. (Excessive drinking can signal kidney problems.)

If your bunny is acting normal and eating well, then I would not worry too much.  But if this continues, a wellness checkup with bloodwork would be a good idea, just to be sure all is well.  Holland Lops are notorious for molar problems such as painful spurs.  These can affect normal eating and drinking habits in unpredictable ways, including avoiding certain foods, or even water.  So this might also be something to consider.

If you need a good rabbit vet, I hope you can find one here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Hope this helps.

Dana