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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 rabbit is stressing me out. Need advice!

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    • Ashley
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        Hi everyone,

        I am at my wits end with my rex rabbit named Chester that I’ve had for 2 1/2 years. We adopted him as a baby and I’ve tried to be the best bunny parent I can be. I’ve educated myself on rabbits by reading books and articles. I had him fixed when he was of age to help with territorial issues, such as spray peeing, constant pooping, and aggressive behavior. He has always been a difficult rabbit with lots of destructive behaviors and he hates being touched or picked up. My husband has been making my life agonizing because he absolutely hates Chester and calls him the worst pet he’s ever had, and he said buying him was he worst decision he’s ever made. I’ve been rooting for Chester the whole time, and hoping I could teach him the way to behave because I’ve always wanted him to be able to be a happy rabbit with lots of freedom and love. We recently moved to a new apartment and we are expecting our first baby, and his behavior has been getting even worse. Its almost like he will never learn, and recently I’ve been crying because my husband is pushing to get rid of him, and while I love him, I’m getting very frustrated myself. We let him run free in our living room and he mostly uses his litterbox, and he has plenty of toys – a cottontail cottage, a wooden playground thing, straw baskets, wood tunnels, stuffed animals. Recently though all he wants to do is eat carpet, try to break in to the area we have fenced off, and rake his litterbox into the floor. We will yell at him no when he does something bad, and he will run off and then try to do it again a minute later. I try to always give him positive reinforcement when he chews his toys or does something good since I figure he is trying to just get attention by doing something bad.  Every night he wants to be chased around, which is his favorite game, which is exhausting because all he does is run behind the couch, come out and then run back behind the couch. At night when we are tired laying on the couch, is when he does most of these behaviors. I think that he does these things to get my attention in an attempt to get me to chase him around, which he loves. I’m 25 weeks pregnant and always tired now and I just don’t have the energy to play with him like he wants. The other night he was chewing carpet and my husband took some rabbit spray and sprayed it on the spot he was chewing while yelling at him. Then out of spite, he got in his litterbox and lifted his butt off of the side and peed right on the carpet.  My husband was livid and said he is so disrespectful and said he absolutely hates him. He has never done that before, and I know he knows better. My husband and all of my family has already started asking me what we are going to do with the rabbit when the baby comes, because they think it is unsanitary to have the baby crawling around with all the rabbit poop, and with him being so unfriendly. He is very skittish and runs almost always when you try to pet him. The only time he jumps on the couch with us is when he wants a treat. Then he jumps down and eats it. I am at my wits end and all I do is cry bc of him and the pressure I’m feeling from my husband. When he does something bad I basically get yelled at because of it. We have a new bookcase that cost $3000,(which is the only new furniture that we have), that I always cover up with a blanket to keep Chester from chewing it. Well last night he pulled the blanket off and chewed all over it. I woke up this morning and saw what he did and just cried and said, “why won’t you behave?” “Why can’t you just be good?” I feel like I’ve given him everything I could possibly give him and he just doesn’t cooperate. My husband wants to put him in the garage which is kind of cold but I’m so worn out that I’m actually considering it. I just can’t get him to live peacefully in our environment. I feel so guilty also for putting him down there at night by himself because I know he likes being around us. I will also have to lug all of his toys up and down the stairs during the night/day, and am not looking forward to it. I have always took 100% care of him because my husband refuses because he hates him that much. I hate giving my all to an animal that will never appreciate or learn, no matter how hard I try. I’m just feeling so worn down and hopeless. What should I do?


      • JackRabbit
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        5451 posts Send Private Message

          First, it sounds to me like Chester is just being a typical bunny, maybe with a little too much space. Bunnies are naturally chewers and diggers, and some bunnies simply can’t be free roam. Of my three, Marlee would chew everything, Kieko would pee and poop everywhere with her constant need to identify her territory, and Moshi would be the only one with potential for free roam. He likes to rearrange things, but has started to pick up Marlee’s chewing habits. My three have daily supervised play time in a mostly bunny-proof area (hence the “supervised”). My bonded pair have most of a spare bedroom, with their area surrounded by 3 xpens attached together, and Kieko has a 3 story condo as her main living area.2

          Second, it sounds to me like your husband is the one stessing you out more so than Chester and that your husband has already made up his mind that the bunny needs to go. Since I doubt you’re willing to re-home your husband (which would be my choice if my hubby was stessing me out when I was 25 weeks pregnant), it sounds like your options are to contain Chester when he’s not being supervised (maybe an xpen setup or spare bedroom that could be a bunny room), or begin looking for a new home for Chester where the expectations for bunny behavior are not quite so stringent. It would be great if you and your husband could come to a compromise, but with a new baby on the way, you are going to need your husband’s help and understanding more than ever. Bunnies can pick up on our stress levels, and Chester is likely feeling some of your husband’s feelings toward him as well.

          I hate to see a bunny re-homed, especially when you obviously love Chester, but sometimes its in everyone’s best interest, including the bunny’s.


        • Thump
          Participant
          59 posts Send Private Message

            I’ve also had a bunny from hell. Its not your fault. Some bunnies are very timid and dont like to be handled and others are extremely destructive. They are not that intelligent, so its not like your bunny is purposely trying to make your life miserable. That litter box incident was not intentional! My bunnies sometimes pee outside of their boxes because the side is too low and they have the habit of sticking their butts so far up. I have a tray underneath them in case this happens.

            Its hard disciplining rabbits because if you tell them NO or scare them, they will learn to distrust you. Instead of trying to train him and scaring him in the process, you should be more passive. If he digs and makes a mess of the litter box, get a larger one with taller sides that accommodates digging or use something to protect the floor underneath. Digging is a natural bunny instinct. You cant expect him to stop so you need to create a safe digging zone. If he starts chewing carpet, make that area forbidden. Block it off or he WILL keep chewing there. I’ve had very little luck with those anti-chew sprays.

            Does your bunny really enjoy being chased? Thats not typical bunny behavior. It seems like he is afraid of you if you if he wont let you pet him. Bunnies usually love having their faces pet . I think he has too much freedom. Maybe section of a smaller area with less hiding spots and spend time in there with him. Focus on bonding more with him and gaining trust. You dont want him to associate you with being the one that chases him and picks him up all the time.

            This might be terrible advice, but have you ever considered getting a second rabbit? (Sorry, my answer to everything is more rabbits!) Maybe he’s bored and needs a friend. They are very social animals. My monster rabbit bonded with my new rabbit and became more brave around me. He was more relaxed and let me pet him more. I was desperate and just wanted him to feel safe and loved because he sure didnt want anything to do with me. Chances are, a new rabbit wont have the exact same personality as the bad one. My new one was a total sweety pie. A second one is just about the same work as one. Completely ignore this if you never wanted two!


          • Deleted User
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            22064 posts Send Private Message

              OMG JR and Thump – awesome advice/suggestions! I really don’t have anymore to add other than I second getting rid of the hubby before the bunny, hahahaha…. Joking!

              Gosh, I do feel bad for you Ashley, really I do! I’ve been put in that position and it’s just miserable! I wish I could say something wonderful and make it all better for you. But I can’t and I reckon between JR and Thump, after having a think about what they offered, you’ll make the right decision for yourself and Chester.

              Good luck and congrats on the new baby – this should be an exciting time for you and I’m sorry that your so stressed out between your bunny and hubby. It’s so not fair…..

              PS – You just described MY bunny Henry, ha ha ha! Once I gave up on him being everything I wanted/expected him to be, it did take 2 years, but he is soooooo much better now. I can even pet him (when he allows it! Bugga! Lol!). Take care Ashley.


            • Megabunny
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              2041 posts Send Private Message

                How’re you doing Ashley??

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            Forum BEHAVIOR My rabbit is stressing me out. Need advice!