Thumping bunny (exercise or loneliness?)

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This topic has 3sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 8 months ago by Deleted User.

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- 07/31/2017 at 2:12 AM
  Ericbunny87
  Participant
  1 posts
  Hello,
  Our lop eared bunny Eric is 1 and a half years old.
  He’s had a few house moves in his time and recently we’ve got him a larger cage (next month we’re buying the C&C clips/walls to create a large enclosure under our stairs for him.
  He was an indoor bunny, then an outdoor bunny (ate too much grass, made himself really ill) and now he’s back to an indoor bunny which we much prefer anyway and he seems happier.
  
  Recently he’s started thumping at around 5AM sometimes, I’m not sure if it’s because of the sunlight or because he’s not getting enough exercise? Another thought we had was maybe he needs a partner but I’m under the understanding at his age might be quite hard to do now.
  
  Some advice would help us a lot.
  Could a partner be a solution?
  How do we integrate them together?
  Has anyone else tried?
  
  We let him out each night for a run around so he’s get exercise.
  
  He’s never thumped before and it’s only just started in the last 2 weeks, unsure wether we should treat him like a toddler and ignore it? I know it can be because he could be startled or worried.
  
  Thanks for any help folks.
- 07/31/2017 at 5:51 AM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5834 posts
  In that situation, thumping is probably wanting to get out (if he’s penned up at night). 3-5am is usually when Wick wakes up and gets active again.
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 07/31/2017 at 6:06 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17030 posts
  He’s not too old to have a partner, but he needs to be neutered for that. We have a whole section about integrating buns, it’s known as “bonding”
  
  I’m inclined to agree with Wick, if your bun is healthy and doesn’t appear terrified or anything, thumping at that hour often means the human is supposed to get up, provide food and entertainment. My Bam did that when he was new with me, thumped around 3 am, I went up and gave him treats and fussed over him. A bad idea, because it only reinforced the behavior.
- 07/31/2017 at 1:20 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  Asriel starts clawing the cage every night like clockwork around 3-4. Our buns are in the bedroom with us while we live at my in-laws. Needless to say, I don’t appreciate the 3am wakeup call xD
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