What is the effect of gabapentin on rabbit stress-related behaviour and activity?
11 February 2025
Gabapentin has been used as an anxiolytic in multiple species, and has been shown to reduce stress behaviours in cats and dogs, but there’s little information on its use in rabbits1.
Rabbits often have high anxiety levels and stress responses in novel environments and in the presence of humans, which presents a major health and welfare issue, can alter physical examination, and lead to life-threatening illnesses and instability under anesthesia2.
A new study led by Rachel Conway and published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association has explored rabbit behavioural responses and activity after gabapentin administration, and changes in stress-related behaviors1.
Eight intact New Zealand white rabbits aged 8 to 12 months were administered a single oral 25-mg/kg dose of gabapentin. Each rabbit was placed into a behaviour assessment pen, to collect data both before and 2 hours after gabapentin administration, at the peak drug concentration.
Rabbit’s mobility parameters (distance travelled; mean, minimum, and maximum speed; time and number of mobile vs immobile episodes) were evaluated by ANY-maze behavioural tracking software, using a camera above the pen to record video footage. An ethogram (a list of behaviors exhibited using descriptive terms and phrases) was used to record behaviour.
The study found that no adverse effects were observed in any rabbits after gabapentin administration. There was a significant increase in frolicking behaviour (defined as ‘binkying’ (where rabbits run and leap into the air, kicking their hind feet) – an indication of excitement or play) and a significant decrease in observing behaviour or vigilance, including freezing and scanning behaviours. These combined findings suggest that gabapentin had an effect on reducing stress response.
There was no significant change in other rabbit behaviours (including grooming or resting), postures, or mobility after gabapentin administration. The lack of change in mobility and resting behaviour after gabapentin suggests that the dose doesn’t cause excessive sedation, which may be advantageous as this can mask signs of illness and limit the ability to assess rabbit behaviour and illness.
The study was limited by the small sample size (8 rabbits), no use of a placebo, and the ethogram used was not specifically validated for this study, although it was validated with intraobserver variability testing. The study’s authors recommend further research to explore how gabapentin can help with stress reduction in rabbits prior to transport and veterinary visits, and testing higher doses to see whether stronger effects could be achieved.
Take home message
A single oral 25-mg/kg dose of gabapentin reduced some indicators of rabbit stress and anxiety, as shown by a reduction in vigilance behaviour and an increase in play behaviour in a controlled environment. Based on these findings, gabapentin should be considered as a method to help rabbits facing stressors in their own home and shows potential for reducing stress with veterinary visits, transport, and other stressful events.
References
1Conway RE, Desmarchelier M, Burton M, Mama K, Rao S, Kendall LV & Sadar MJ (2024) Single oral dose of gabapentin reduces vigilance and increases play behavior without changing mobility in New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.09.0602
2Conway RE, Burton M, Mama K, Rao S, Kendall LV, Desmarchelier M & Sadar MJ (2023) Behavioral and Physiologic Effects of a Single Dose of Oral Gabapentin in Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Topics in Companion Animal Medicine. 53–54, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcam.2023.100779.