just moved

Question
Is my rabbit stressed/depressed or could there be a deeper, more serious issue? We just moved after living in the same place for 6 years and my rabbit was always pretty quiet and not very social. Shes been grinding her teeth which she never has done ever. it Seems her heart has been racing a little and I can see her stomach area move in and out as she breathes. She almost seems to seek my comfort as I come into her room or reach in her cage(she used to just ignore me). I find her staring at me which is weird. She is eating smaller amounts of feed, normal amounts of hay and her usual raisin treats(which she anticipates every single night)Do you think this is something that will pass or should I take her to the vet? Thank you for taking your time to help me and others!  

Answer
Hi Krystal,

thanks for being watchful and observant with your rabbit.

Moves are a big deal for rabbits, their entire world changes.  Especially after 6 years.  Imagine one day, not known to you, you are taken to someplace you have no idea about, and you're just there, and that apparently is where you are to live.  On top of it she's a prey animal and is nervous about strange places and smells and sounds.

The one thing that didn't change is you.  And apparently she has a lot of trust in you because she is needing you more than ever.  You are the alpha bunny to her.  You make her feel better.  And she might on certain levels like the new place better in some ways than the old place.  Given she's eating and drinking all the things she normally does and isn't in obvious pain, the teeth grinding (light grinding I assume, like a purring) is a good sign, rabbits purr by lightly grinding teeth, or 'chattering', when they are happy.  So if she's doing that when you're around, or petting her, when she's stretched out resting, etc, that's a good thing.  

The staring may just be she may want you to talk to her, or maybe pet her.  She may just be needing you a little bit more being in a new place, getting used to the new routines and new layouts of the room, etc.  Learning where things are and such.  Rabbits map out every room they are in mentally, because they can't depend on eyesight alone when they are whipping through an area full speed.  They know when things aren't in their right place.

Now if it has been awhile since she's been to the vet, it'd be a good time for a checkup.  Since you're in a new place it'd be good to find a good rabbit vet, and also the 24-7 emergency vet that has rabbit docs on staff.  You can start looking for your regular rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

to find a House Rabbit Society recommended vet near you.  That vet can probably get you to an emergency vet that handles rabbits on the off-hours.