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BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BEHAVIOR My new bun is TERRIFIED of me!

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    • Delilah's mommy
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        My new baby has only been home for two days now and I realize it takes time to bond, but she is absolutely terrified of me!! Two times I have tried to hold her she has been so scared that she peed all over me! It absolutely breaks my heart to know I’m scaring her. She is only 10 weeks and isn’t very big so she can’t climb in and out of her cage yet so I have to pick her up to get her out and back into her cage and picking her up is what scares her. When I tried to show her the door on her cage she kicked and squired and peed all over me and I am so scared I’m going to hurt her. if anyone has any bonding tips and ideas on how to make her learn to get in and out of her cage without frightening her. Thank you in advance!


      • LoveChaCha
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        6634 posts Send Private Message

          First off, welcome to BB

          Rabbits are prey animals. From their eyes, picking them up means they are going to be your dinner. Peeing on you while you held her is a sign that she is frightened and scared. Most rabbits do not tolerate being handled.

          As for bonding, lay on the floor with her and read a book and look ‘distracted.’ Rabbits are naturally curious and that is how you earn their trust. This is a good site to read up on new bunny ownership and other questions!
          http://rabbit.org/

          What does her house set up look like?


        • jerseygirl
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            Does the cage have a flip down door? You can place something solid over it so it becomes a little ramp. If you have slippery floors, place a rug/blanket/towel down.
            If the cage door is wide or it opens from the top, you might have better luck letting her jump into something (like litterbox, a cardboard box or small basket) and then lifting that out. Then you can allow her to get out of that once it’s placed on the floor.

            When she is out, instead of holding her, get down on the floor and just let her hop over to you. After a while they get more and more confident.


          • Ella K.
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              I agree. Being held is REALLY scary for them.


            • Delilah's mommy
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                Thank you! This is a very helpful site!! And thank you for your advice! I read a book while she was out and she came and let me pet her and she started chattering her teeth which I researched that means a content feeling! So I think we have made progress but as for her cage… It’s a regular bunny cage (soze large) with a drop down entrance and a overhead entrance. As for right now it is really big for her because she’s pretty small and I’m hoping once I build some kind of ramp, she will easily come in and out on her own. Also I have been saving up to buy a play pen for when she is older to move her in which I’m hoping will allow her to come in and out super easily and give her plenty of room when she is full grown. But I have her in her own bedroom and I’m in the process of bunny proofing it, so right now I move her to the bathroom to safely play.


              • jerseygirl
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                  Sounds as if you’ve made progress already.
                  : )

                  What about placing a small box inside at the door and another on the outside? She might hop up into it and come across the makeshift platform.


                • FluffyBunny
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                    I agree, it does sound like you’re making progress! You can also try feeding her a treat (a small chunk of fruit, carrot slices, a raisin, a few plain oats, etc…) out of your hand at a certain time every day. After a while, she’ll get more familiar with you and even start running up to you to get a treat. You could even train her to jump in and out of the cage for a treat.

                    As the others said, remember that bunnies are prey animals. They’re naturally very cautious around new humans and nervous about being held. Just take it slowly and work with her a little every day. After a while, once she gets to know you, she might even start to tolerate or even enjoy being held.


                  • NewBunnyOwner123
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                      When I first got Harley I hand fed him his veggies which seemed to really quicken the whole bonding process lol he quickly learned that I come with tasty things I would also pet him while feeding him his veggies so he associated my presence with veggies.
                      Now that he is used to us and has made himself at home (happened crazy quickly) I just feed his veggies in a bowl lol

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                  Forum BEHAVIOR My new bun is TERRIFIED of me!