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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.

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Forum BEHAVIOR Bonding with a scared and abused bunny

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    • Daniella
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        So i have recently rescued a gorgeous little Hungarian dwarf bunny from the side of the road, she is about 8 weeks as far as the vet can tell. when i found her she barely had fur and was so frightened she wouldn’t at all out if fear. i have managed to bond with her to the extent that she sits on my lap and allows me to stroke her and has even given me a few licks… i live in an apartment and want to take her to the park to enjoy a bit of freedom and to roll around in the grass but i am quite nervous to do so as she gets so skitish so quickly. someone recommended getting a harness and leash for her, though i don’t like the idea it might be my only option for her and i really want to giver her some proper exersize. i have read up that bunnies need to trust some one quite a bit to allow a harness to be put on. if anyone can help me out with what to do in this situation i would appreciate it so much and im sure midnight will appreciate it as well


      • Roberta
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          As much as it sounds like a good idea for them to play outside and you feel like you are depriving them it really is not necessary for them to play out of doors. For a bunny that has had a traumatic past I think putting her on a harness and taking her outdoors at this stage could undo all of your hardwork to get her to trust you. Instead set up some fun runs in the house with cardboard boxes and things to run over and through. Harnesses and leashes can cuase terrible injuries to bunnies if the take fright or panic whilst in them.


        • BunnyHugger
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            Daniella, thank you for rescuing!

            Putting bunnies in harness is not a great idea. As you know, they have timid natures and will “freak out” over seemingly nothing. One minute calm, the next a bundle of nerves. Many bunnies have escaped harnesses, as they can wiggle out of almost anything. Other bunnies have gotten strangled.

            It would also be very difficult to find a place in the park where you won’t run into a dog who might chase and even kill your rabbit.

            Another concern: if you live in an area with raccoons, they carry a roundworm that is lethal to rabbits. You can’t let a bunny eat grass where raccoons have been.

            If you can find a safe grassy space, it’s better to use an exercise pen you’re sure your bunny can’t jump over or slip through/under.

            Another solution is to grow oat grass in your home. You can find it in pet stores as “cat grass.” Or buy oats at a local feed store.


          • MoveDiagonally
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              I’m moving this to behavior because I think you’ll get more responses there.


            • Daniella
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                yea that was my fear. she is quite active and just want to give her more freedom with out hurting herself. thanks for confirming my thoughts on the harness


              • Daniella
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                  thanks for your information, i dont really have a pen as such to transport with me to  a grassy area my concern is mostly stalks and water birds like that which arent birds of prey but im sure will spook midnight(my bunny) i didnt like the idea of a harness but not sure what else, aside from a pen, i can use to keep her safe but give her more freedom. i will look at maybe getting a transportable pen for her. thank you 


                • Daniella
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                    Thanks all for your help (:

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                Forum BEHAVIOR Bonding with a scared and abused bunny