Updated 24 September 2026: clarified when to contact a vet and removed waiting-period advice that could delay care. Practical checks or notes must not delay help for an unwell animal. See the supporting welfare guidance.
Neil has run Paradise Pets Swindon since 1988 — over 35 years of first-hand experience with rabbits and other small animals. In that time, he has watched hundreds of worried UK owners walk into the shop carrying a rabbit that has stopped moving. This article is his urgent, honest guide on what it means and what to do about it.
A young couple came into the shop on Sunday afternoon, properly distressed. They had a carrier with them and a rabbit inside that had not moved since the night before. “Neil,” the woman said, “she’s just sitting there. She won’t eat, she won’t come out of her hutch, she won’t move. We don’t know what to do.”
I looked at the rabbit. A small lop, hunched in the corner of the carrier, eyes half-closed, completely still. Not dead — but in serious trouble. The kind of trouble where hours matter.
That scene plays out in my shop more often than I would like to admit. A rabbit that has stopped moving. A rabbit that was fine yesterday and is unrecognisable today. The owners arrive worried, often panicked, sometimes feeling like they have done something wrong.
A rabbit that is unusually still, weak or unresponsive needs immediate veterinary advice. Do not wait to see how it is later or bring it to the shop first.
In 35 years of running Paradise Pets, the single most consistent lesson I have learned about rabbits is this — the owners whose animals recover are the ones who act fast. The ones who wait, hoping it will pass on its own, are usually the ones who lose their pets. So please, if you are reading this with a stationary rabbit at home, take it seriously.
This article walks you through what it usually means, the most common causes I see in the shop, and what to do right now to give your rabbit the best chance.
Why This Symptom Is So Serious
Let me explain something about rabbits that most UK owners do not know — and it is the reason this symptom is so urgent.
Rabbits are prey animals. In the wild, they live in warrens and survive by being constantly alert, ready to bolt at the first sign of danger. A rabbit that cannot move quickly is a rabbit that gets caught. So over millions of years, rabbits have evolved to hide weakness. They will keep grooming, keep eating, keep moving normally — even when they are seriously unwell — right up until the moment they physically cannot do it any longer.
When you see your rabbit sitting completely still, refusing to move, it means the hiding has stopped. The animal has reached a point where it can no longer pretend everything is fine. And that point, in my experience, almost always comes after the rabbit has been unwell for some time — not at the start of the problem.
This is the most important thing I want you to understand. By the time your rabbit is not moving, the underlying issue has probably been developing for hours, sometimes days. You are not seeing the beginning of the problem. You are seeing the late stages.
That is why “let me see in the morning” is the wrong response. By morning, you may be too late.
- Phone your vet or the emergency veterinary service immediately
- Check the body temperature — is the rabbit cold? Warm the environment gently and immediately
- Check breathing — laboured, fast, or shallow breathing is a vet emergency
- Offer a piece of leafy greens or a sprig of parsley — if the rabbit refuses food, that is a serious sign
- Check for droppings — a reduction or absence needs immediate veterinary advice
- For an unwell rabbit, contact your vet immediately; the shop is not an emergency triage service
What “Not Moving” Actually Looks Like
Before we get into the causes, let me make sure we are talking about the same thing. Because rabbits do rest — and not every quiet rabbit is in trouble.
Healthy rabbits spend a fair amount of time in what is called the “loaf” position — sitting with their feet tucked underneath, looking still and content. They also do a stretch called the “flop” — where they flop on their side as if collapsed. The flop is a healthy sign — it means the rabbit feels safe enough to be vulnerable. Both of these are normal.
What I am talking about in this article is different. It is the rabbit that:
- Sits hunched, with feet not tucked properly — almost crouched, as if in pain
- Does not move when you approach the hutch or pen
- Is eating less or passing fewer or no droppings
- Has its eyes half-closed or dull-looking
- Refuses favourite foods — even a treat will not tempt it
- Breathes in a way that looks laboured or rapid
- Feels cold to the touch, or unusually warm
- Has gone unusually quiet — even by rabbit standards
- Grinds its teeth in a way that sounds painful (not the gentle “purring” tooth grind)
Do not wait for several signs to appear together. Reduced eating, fewer droppings, breathing difficulty or unusual weakness can each justify an immediate vet call.
The 6 Main Causes I See In The Shop
After 35 years of working with these animals, I can usually narrow down what is happening with a fair degree of accuracy. Here are the six most common causes I encounter with non-moving rabbits, roughly in order of how often they appear.
Cause 1: Gastrointestinal Stasis (Gut Stasis) — The Number One Rabbit Killer
This is by far the most common cause I see, and it is the one new owners least expect. Gut stasis is the leading cause of preventable death in pet rabbits in the UK. If you only remember one thing from this article, please remember this.
Rabbits have a digestive system designed to work almost constantly. They graze throughout the day, and their gut needs that continuous intake of fibre to keep moving. When anything disrupts that — stress, pain, dental problems, dehydration, the wrong diet, even a sudden change in routine — the gut can slow down and eventually stop entirely.
Gut stasis can be life-threatening and needs prompt veterinary assessment. There is no safe countdown to use at home.
A rabbit in gut stasis will stop eating, stop producing droppings (or produce only tiny, dry, deformed ones), become hunched and withdrawn, and gradually stop moving. The rabbit is in genuine pain — sometimes severe — but rabbits hide pain so well that owners often miss the early signs.
- Is eating less than normal or has stopped eating
- No droppings, or droppings are tiny, dry, or unusually small
- Sitting hunched, often with eyes half-closed
- Belly may feel hard, bloated, or distended
- Animal seems uninterested in everything — food, you, surroundings
- May grind teeth audibly (a clear sign of pain in rabbits)
- Cold to the touch — especially the ears
What to do
Contact your vet immediately. Do not massage the abdomen or syringe-feed water or food unless the vet specifically instructs you for this rabbit; a blockage or another cause needs assessment. Follow the vet’s advice about safe warmth and transport.
I cannot stress this enough — gut stasis is the leading killer of pet rabbits in the UK precisely because owners do not recognise it fast enough. If you suspect it, act now.
Cause 2: Loss Of A Bonded Companion
This one catches owners off guard, but I see it regularly enough to make it the second cause on this list. Rabbits are intensely social animals. When they have lived with a bonded partner for years, the death of that partner can cause genuine, observable grief in the survivor.
A rabbit that has just lost its bonded mate may stop moving, stop eating, refuse to leave the spot where its companion died, and become deeply withdrawn. The animal is genuinely grieving — not just confused or unsettled. I have seen rabbits decline within days of losing their bonded partner, sometimes following them within a week if not properly supported.
This is not “they will get over it.” Without intervention, the grieving rabbit can stop eating entirely and develop gut stasis on top of the emotional distress — a combination that is often fatal.
What to do
First — phone a vet to rule out physical illness. Sometimes both rabbits were unwell and only one collapsed first. Once illness is ruled out, the priority is companionship. A lone rabbit, especially one that has just lost a partner, is at very high risk of further decline.
Come and see us at Paradise Pets — we have a proper introduction process for bonding new companions and we will guide you through it carefully. Rabbit bonding is not something you can rush, but a successful bond often makes the difference between recovery and continued decline.
Cause 3: Dental Problems
This is one of the most common preventable issues I see, and one that often presents as a “not moving” symptom in its later stages. Rabbit teeth grow continuously throughout their lives — they are designed to be worn down by constant grazing on hay and grass. When the diet is wrong, or when teeth do not align properly, they overgrow.
Overgrown teeth cut into the cheeks and tongue, making eating painful, then impossible. A rabbit with serious dental problems gradually stops eating, loses weight, becomes withdrawn, and eventually stops moving as it weakens from hunger and pain.
- Rabbit eats less and less over days or weeks
- Drops food while trying to chew
- Wet fur or staining around the mouth and chin (from drooling)
- Visible weight loss — spine and hip bones more prominent
- Bad breath in some cases
- Eventually becomes withdrawn and stops moving
What to do
This is a vet visit — and ideally an exotic vet or rabbit specialist who knows how to assess rabbit teeth properly. Many overgrown teeth are at the back of the mouth and cannot be seen without sedation. The vet will file the teeth down under sedation, and the rabbit usually recovers quickly afterwards. But the underlying cause needs addressing — usually a diet that is too low in hay.
Cause 4: Cold And Hypothermia
This is a particularly British problem and one I deal with every winter. UK winters are unforgiving on outdoor rabbits, and even indoor rabbits in poorly heated rooms can become dangerously cold. I have seen this destroy beloved family pets that were otherwise well cared for.
Rabbits handle cold better than guinea pigs, but not as well as people think. They cope with temperatures down to around 5°C if they have proper shelter and dry bedding. Below that, particularly with damp or wind, they are in real danger. Garages, outdoor hutches without proper insulation, conservatories, and rooms where heating goes off entirely at night — all of these can drop to dangerous levels overnight in a UK winter.
A cold rabbit will sit hunched, often in a corner of the hutch, fluffed up. The ears feel cold. The body may feel cool to the touch. The rabbit becomes slow, unresponsive, and eventually stops moving entirely.
- Where is the hutch? Outdoor hutches in winter need proper insulation, weatherproofing, and ideally relocation to a sheltered position.
- What is the temperature now? Below 5°C is risky. Below freezing is dangerous, especially with damp or wind.
- Is the hutch insulated? Most starter hutches sold in the UK are completely inadequate for British winters.
- Has there been a sudden temperature drop? UK weather can swing 10°C in 24 hours. Old or unwell rabbits especially struggle with sudden changes.
- Is the bedding dry? Damp bedding plus cold equals a serious problem for any rabbit.
What to do
Call your vet immediately about a cold, weak rabbit. Move it away from cold and damp while arranging help, avoid direct heat and follow the vet’s instructions. Do not wait an hour for it to warm up or appear stable before calling.
Cause 5: Respiratory Or Other Infection
Rabbits are susceptible to a range of infections, and pasteurellosis (sometimes called “snuffles”) is particularly common in UK rabbits. These infections can progress quickly, especially in animals that are already stressed, cold, or kept in poor conditions.
A rabbit with a serious infection will often sit still, breathe with effort, sometimes with discharge from the nose or eyes. The animal looks generally unwell — fluffed, dull, hunched — and the typical bright-eyed alertness of a healthy rabbit disappears entirely.
- Laboured or rapid breathing — sometimes visible chest movement
- Discharge from the nose, eyes, or matted fur on the inside of front legs (from wiping)
- Sneezing or coughing
- Loss of appetite and energy
- Head tilt — a possible sign of inner ear infection (E. cuniculi)
- Hunched, miserable posture
- Fever (rabbit feels unusually warm)
What to do
Same-day vet visit. Rabbit infections almost always need antibiotics, and the choice of antibiotic matters — many common antibiotics that work for cats and dogs are fatal to rabbits. This is why an exotic vet or rabbit specialist is essential. While you arrange the vet, keep the rabbit warm, quiet, and as stress-free as possible.
Cause 6: Pain Or Injury
Sometimes a rabbit stops moving because it physically cannot — it is injured, or it is in significant pain from an internal issue. Rabbits are surprisingly fragile, and falls, fights with other rabbits, or even rough handling can cause spinal injuries, broken legs, or internal trauma.
The signs are not always obvious. The rabbit might be sitting in an unusual position. There might be a leg held at an odd angle. The rabbit might flinch or grind its teeth when touched in a specific area. Sometimes there is visible blood or wounds. Sometimes there is nothing visible at all, but the rabbit is clearly distressed.
Internal pain — from bladder stones, intestinal obstruction, or other problems — can also cause a rabbit to sit still, hunched and miserable.
What to do
Do not move the rabbit any more than necessary. Examine carefully without picking it up if possible — look for any obvious injuries, swelling, or unusual postures. If you suspect a spinal injury or broken bone, transport the rabbit very carefully in a small, padded carrier where it cannot move around much. Get to an exotic vet today. Pain in rabbits is genuine and serious — they hide it well, but they feel it.
What I Check When A Non-Moving Rabbit Comes Into The Shop
When an owner walks in with a rabbit that has stopped moving, I do not guess. I work through a process to narrow down what is going on. Here is what that looks like.
- When did it last eat? When did it last produce droppings?
Tell the vet immediately about any reduced eating or droppings. Note when the change began, but do not wait for six or twelve hours to pass. - How old is the rabbit?
Young rabbits are unlikely to be at end-of-life. Older rabbits (6+) may face multiple issues at once. - What is the environment like?
Temperature, damp, draughts, recent changes. Cold and damp are particularly dangerous combinations. - Has there been any recent stress?
New pet in the house, building work, change of routine, loud noises, lost companion? Rabbits are sensitive to stress in ways many owners do not realise. - How is the breathing?
Laboured, rapid, or noisy breathing is a vet emergency. Open-mouth breathing is critical. - Is the body warm or cold?
Especially the ears. Cold ears on a previously healthy rabbit is a strong warning sign. - What is the diet?
A rabbit on a poor diet (muesli mix, too many pellets, not enough hay) is far more likely to develop gut stasis and dental problems.
These questions usually narrow things down enough to point the owner in the right direction. Almost always, that direction includes a vet.
What Not To Do
Over the years, I have also watched plenty of well-meaning owners do the wrong thing in a panic. Let me save you from the most common mistakes.
| What people do | Why it is wrong | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Wait until morning | Rabbits can deteriorate within hours — by morning the window may have closed | Phone your vet or its emergency service immediately, even at night |
| Force-feed water with a syringe | A weak rabbit can aspirate fluid and develop pneumonia | Offer water — let the rabbit drink if it can. Only syringe-feed if instructed by a vet |
| Delay emergency care while searching for a specialist | An unwell rabbit needs prompt professional assessment | Contact your vet or emergency service now; they can advise on referral if necessary |
| Put on a hot water bottle directly | Direct heat can shock the system or cause burns | Warm the environment gradually, hold against your body |
| Give human medication | Most human painkillers are extremely toxic to rabbits | Only give what an exotic vet has prescribed |
| Assume it is “just lazy” | Rabbits do not stop moving for hours when healthy | Take it seriously — get advice |
How To Prevent This Happening
Most of the cases I see could have been prevented with the right setup from the start. Here is what I tell every new rabbit owner.
- Feed unlimited hay — this should make up 80% of the diet. It keeps the gut moving and the teeth worn down. Both gut stasis and dental issues are largely preventable with enough hay.
- Provide a properly sized enclosure — rabbits need significant space to move. The standard small hutches sold in pet shops are simply not adequate.
- Keep two bonded rabbits, not one — rabbits are social animals and a lone rabbit is at risk of stress-related problems including stasis.
- Vaccinate against myxomatosis and RHD — both are common UK diseases that are nearly always fatal but preventable with annual vaccinations.
- Avoid muesli mixes — they encourage selective feeding and contribute to dental and digestive issues
- Weigh weekly — weight loss is often the earliest sign of illness in rabbits
- Find an exotic vet before you need one — not when you are panicking
- Watch the droppings daily — changes in number, size, or shape are early warnings
For more on the realities of rabbit ownership in the UK, our guide on rabbit not eating warning signs covers the related symptom that often appears before the rabbit stops moving entirely.
When To Skip The Shop And Go Straight To The Vet
I am always happy to have customers come in and talk things through. But there are situations where I will tell you straight — go to a rabbit-savvy vet now, do not stop here. These include:
- Rabbit is eating less or passing fewer or no droppings
- Laboured or open-mouth breathing — respiratory emergency
- Head tilt, loss of balance, or unusual movements — possible neurological problem
- Visible injury, bleeding, or trauma
- Bloated, hard belly — possible gut emergency
- Rabbit is unresponsive, collapsed, or seizing
- Rabbit feels cold and is weak or unusually unresponsive; do not delay the call for a warming trial
- Symptoms developing rapidly over hours
For everything else — the gradual decline, the unclear cause, the rabbit that is quiet but not in obvious crisis — bring it in or send me a video, and we will help work out what is going on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a rabbit survive without eating?
Contact your vet as soon as eating or droppings reduce. A rabbit does not need to reach a fixed number of hours without food before the problem is urgent.
Is it normal for a rabbit to sit very still for long periods?
The “loaf” position (sitting upright with feet tucked) and the “flop” (lying on side) are normal resting positions in healthy rabbits. What is not normal is a hunched, unresponsive rabbit that does not move when approached, especially if combined with refusal to eat.
What temperature is too cold for a rabbit in the UK?
Rabbits handle cold better than guinea pigs but not as well as people assume. They can cope with 5°C if they have proper shelter and dry bedding. Below that, especially with damp or wind, they need protection or relocation indoors. Below freezing is dangerous.
Can a rabbit die of loneliness?
Not directly, but the indirect effects can be fatal. A lone rabbit, particularly one that has lost a bonded partner, often stops eating and develops gut stasis, which can kill within 48 hours. Companionship is essential for their wellbeing.
How quickly do I need to act if my rabbit has stopped moving?
Call your vet immediately. If the normal practice is closed, use its out-of-hours instructions. Do not wait for a shop assessment or delay emergency care while searching for a particular specialist.
Why is it important to find a rabbit-savvy vet?
Many common veterinary medications used for dogs and cats are toxic or fatal to rabbits. Rabbits also need specific knowledge for dental work, anaesthesia, and surgery. A general vet may do their best but may not have the rabbit-specific knowledge needed.
Where can I get urgent rabbit advice in Swindon?
Come and see us at Paradise Pets, Manor Garden Centre, Cheney Manor, Swindon SN2 2QJ. Or ring us on 01793 512400. For genuine emergencies, go straight to a rabbit-savvy exotic vet — we will help you decide which it is.
One Last Thing From Me
A rabbit that has stopped moving is not a problem you can sleep on. I know how easy it is, when you are tired and worried, to think “let me see how she is in the morning.” Please do not do that with these animals. In my 35 years of experience, the difference between a rabbit that recovered and one that did not has more often than not been hours.
The young couple I mentioned at the start? Their lop had gut stasis, almost certainly triggered by a sudden change in diet they had made earlier that week. We told them to go straight to an exotic vet — and they did. The vet gave fluids, pain relief, and gut motility medication. By Tuesday evening, the rabbit was eating hay again. By the following weekend, she was back to normal. The couple sent us a photo of her popcorning around the lounge with a thank-you note.
That is the outcome you want. And the only way to get it is to act when you see the signs — not the day after, not the week after, but today.
If your rabbit is unusually still or unresponsive, call your vet or an emergency veterinary service immediately. A shop conversation cannot diagnose the cause and must not delay treatment.
Rabbit Unwell? Contact A Vet Immediately
For illness, injury, reduced eating or unusual inactivity, contact your vet. Paradise Pets can help with everyday equipment and care questions, but cannot diagnose an unwell rabbit.