We have had our bunny for almost two years. I am assuming each bun may react differently to noise; so I can tell you our experiences. At first when we vacuumed, he was scared of the vacuum and would run and hide. Now he comes over and runs around it while we vacuum. The same has been true with any number of other loud sounds. They bother him at first but he seems to get use to them and they do not bother him after a while. He still does get skittish when he hear a new sound, but he seems to adapt if it is repeated a number of times.

Since we are not home during the day, we set a clock radio to play quiet classical music for a couple of hours. I think I read somewhere that it might be better than leaving them in silence. We did check his reaction and he did not seem to mind it. I hope your rabbit will settle down and get adjusted to different sounds

Hmm.   I know if a bunny has not been in a house b4  they take a while to get used to the noises.

HE will in time come to realize this is normal and not to be scared of.   Classical music is a good idea.

Had a friends rabbit for a bit who thumped at the noise our pills bottles made when we were getting out meds set out.  Was so funny.  She was eating them thump real loud too.

Posted By bunny-yawns on 09/29/2010 06:55 PM

 Hi, this is my first post on this site.  LOVE the site, am horribly addicted btw.

My bunny is really skiddish and is frightened by every little noise.  We have our theories about why she might be this way, but they are all rooted in her “bunnyhood”.  I’ve started to leave a radio on with the hopes that she will become used to some sort of noise.  Has anyone else had a similar experience with this kind of behaviour, and do you think that the radio will help out at all?

How long, exactly, have you had your bunny?

You said it the skiddish behavior might be rooted in her bunny past. Do you know much about her history before you got her? The radio can definitely relax some bunnies as it sort of blocks out other noises— sort of like white noise. Has she always been skittish — the whole 7 months?
I ready your profile and am so happy you have gotten attached and she is now your bunny. Has her location in the house changed?

My daughter used to play music quite a bit while she had Nibbles, and I’m guessing that it probably was loud.

Nibbles may have got used to the music and this may be why the radio is helping some now. Though at a lower volume is likely better all round.

It makes sense that she startles when a noise comes from above. To me, this would be a bit like being in a burrow and having rabbits above thump when warning those below.  Does she have a box she can go into to hide?  Also, if she’s in a condo of sorts, pulling something on top of it (on the outside) may help dampen noise coming from above. Like a carpet offcut.