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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.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BEHAVIOR Bunny afraid to explore

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    • CinnamonBun
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        Hi!

        I’ve been reading lots on this forum and this is the first time posting something myself, so hello to all fellow bunny parents!

        I recently adopted two bonded bunnies, they’re absolutely in love, Karel and Lumpy:

        Both are very social, they love getting petted and hop over for attention when you come home or sit on the floor.


        They both flop and Lumpy binkies all over the place because she actually runs around.
        However Karel, the male:

        Doesn’t.
        He’s very social, super duper sweet, but generally a lot more scared of exploring than Lumpy. He sticks to the carpets I put down and when there’s no carpets, he sticks to the walls.
        First I figured it might be the flooring I have in the living room, but he does exactly the same thing on floors with traction.
        He just seems very afraid, yet i’d love for him to also run around!

        Any ideas on what I can do to help him?

        Thanks beforehand!


      • Bunny House
        Participant
        1241 posts Send Private Message

          Hi there! They are freaking adorable!! And i love the decor!

          So you can put out healthy treats around your place so he will want to go to those places to get the treats! And then add more rugs if you can(can be cheap, just so he can feel more comfortable roaming), but you should also have some safe hidy houses so they can go there when they get scared because they are prey animals, they need to have some place to hide to feel safe.

          I also suggest to not keep anything on the ground that they can eat, Put the hay in a plastic bin(but make sure they can’t get in the bin so they don’t get trapped) as they can eat the plastic and get it stuck in their GI and get GI stasis. Also, make sure that there is nothing breakable or chewable within jumping distance of them so they don’t get hurt.
          You should also look at houserabbitsociety to see how to bunny proof your place, your house is their house now and you just live in it haha, thats how we all feel.


        • sarahthegemini
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            What gorgeous rabbits

            Do you have a few hidey boxes around? Perhaps if you have some boxes and tunnels around, he’ll feel safer exploring because he’ll know he has somewhere safe to retreat too. Using treats might help too.

            How long have you had them? Are they free roam? If so, you could try limiting their space a little and gradually increasing once he’s comfortable so the entire space isn’t as overwhelming


          • Sirius&Luna
            Participant
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              They are adorable! I know you said you don’t think it’s the flooring, but from those photos, they’re both always on the rug or carpetted areas, so I think extra rugs might help!

              Boxes are great too – I ask the local shop for cardboard boxes then cut a few doors in them. My bunnies currently have 5 dotted around the room and they love them.


            • Taloan7
              Participant
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                My bunny has taken her sweet time getting used to different spaces based on totally arbitrary boundaries that she’s come up with for herself. She sticks almost solely to our entryway/living room. It took her a month before she ever attempted to jump on the couches (and now I wish she would stay off them…) and then just this past couple weeks, after four months, she ventured past her imaginary boundary of the front area rug and followed the cats under the dining room table. Until then she would just stop at the edge of the rug and never go further. She’s still never ventured down the hall or into the kitchen. I do think rugs make a difference (all of our bun’s imaginary borders are the edge of area rugs and we have hardwood floors) but I think just giving them time will help too. Our bun’s self designated living space is large with space to run and little den hidey holes so I don’t worry about her feeling trapped by the fact that she doesn’t want to cross the rug.


              • CinnamonBun
                Participant
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                  Thanks so much for all the great tips!

                  The treats around the house didn’t do the trick so far, but in combination with more carpets and more hidey houses it sounds like a solid plan.
                  (the imaginary boundaries really made me laugh)

                  Off to experiment!


                • justwildbeat
                  Participant
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                    Karel might just need more time and encouragement from you to explore. My bun can be bit of a coward too when it comes to new spaces. I’ve noticed that he’s more daring if I’m nearby or near enough where he can see me. Like I’m a sign that the area is safe. So try sitting nearby or bribing him with treats. He’ll eventually make it over there. Then you’re problem will be trying to keep him out of certain areas lol!


                  • LittlePuffyTail
                    Moderator
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                      Nothing else to add but those are ridiculously adorable little puffballs! Not helpful, I know, but had to say it.


                    • kurottabun
                      Participant
                      908 posts Send Private Message

                        SO FLUFFEH.

                        Bunnies have such different personalities and I think you just need to give him some time

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                    Forum BEHAVIOR Bunny afraid to explore