Year old bunny struggling to settle into new home

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 5sd replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 9 months ago by joea64.

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- 10/24/2017 at 9:01 AM
  Haykey
  Participant
  1 posts
  I’m not 100% I’m doing this right. I’m always on these forums but I’ve never posted! I know no one should buy a bun that is just being rehomed because the owner can’t do it anymore or just doesn’t want it although a young girl was going away to university and was unable to take her beloved Willow with her. I knew I wasn’t able to stand by and watch this bun go somewhere bad or to an uncaring home when I could do something about it. Except getting willow settled in is proving to be a million times more difficult than Jynx ever was. She’s really distressed. She has been extremely territorial and has attacked me already and has threatened and tried to gain dominance over Jynx when I didn’t realise he somehow had gotten close to her hutch and inside when my back was turned for 2 seconds. Willow was so sweet when I first picked her up form the previous owners. She has her same old hutch which I can see obviously makes her feel more comfortable but it just doesn’t seem enough. I want her to be comfortable and happy. Any advice?
- 10/24/2017 at 9:43 AM
  12345ABCDE
  Participant
  5584 posts
  I take it Jynx is your other bun? So they’re in the same room? Is that right? If so, that could be the issue. Perhaps she’s feeling threatened and insecure because not only is she in a new home, she’s also near another bun. Could you move her to a different room and see if that helps her settle her a little?
- 10/24/2017 at 9:53 AM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  I agree with Sarah about the two being in the same room. Especially if neither bun is spayed hormonal issues could be at play.
  As for being comfortable and settled in, how long has Willow been with you? Some buns take a while to settle in. She went from one loving owner and having things a certain way, to you who probably does things differently and has a different routine. She really needs time to just adjust to her new surroundings.
- 10/24/2017 at 10:05 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17045 posts
  Posted By bam on 10/24/2017 9:57 AM
  Thank you for taking Willow in!
  
  She does seem to come from a loving home, but she’s been an only bun and might need a bit extra time to feel safe and secure in a place where there’s another bunny. Keeping the buns in separate rooms for the next few weeks sounds like a good idea to me
- 10/24/2017 at 10:17 AM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5842 posts
  If possible, you may want to ask the previous owner what Willow’s typical feeding schedule, activity schedule, favorite foods are, etc. are like. She’s been “taken” away from what she found comfortable and loving. She doesn’t understand unfortunately that you are helping her, so you need to establish in ways that she’ll understand that you are a safe space. This goes into starting a bond between you and her before throwing another rabbit into the mix. Get her used to your presence, rather than approaching her for touching consistently. Just be around her, in a way ignoring her, so you are seen as something not to be afraid of.
  
  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.
- 10/24/2017 at 11:12 AM
  joea64
  Participant
  1423 posts
  It also applies to paired buns, kind of. Back in August I knew Panda and Fernando would be kind of stressed about moving yet again (they’d started out at the shelter, then to the Friends of Rabbits sanctuary, then to foster home #1 for a few weeks, then to foster home #2 where they spent the bulk of their time until they were adopted), so I made sure to establish a daily routine right off the bat and stick to it like glue, and leave them basically alone for the first couple of days (with plenty of food and water, of course) while they got adjusted. It does seem to have worked.
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