Is it time to give up my bunny?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 3sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 10 months ago by Felicity0118.

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- 04/27/2022 at 3:46 PM
  Felicity0118
  Participant
  31 posts
  Hi all!
  I have been a reader of this forum for ages, it’s my go to for fab advice so Thankyou for being a font of knowledge!
  
  but I’ve stumbled across my first dilemma and literally in tears writing this 🙁
  
  I’ve had my bunny for 14 months, she lives free roam in my front room in my 1 bedroom house and have bunny fitted like crazy! (Rug so she doesn’t slip, lamp on timer because she got scared in the mornings, expensive hay and snacks I hide to keep her having fun, bunny proofing and bunny sitter!)
  
  day to day she seems quite content without a buddy, she does multiple binkies/zoomies and doesn’t seem too fussed if im home or not, she loves being petted but doesn’t seem to seek them out but we have a process and she ‘seems’ ok!
  
  fast forward to the last month, I’ve started going out for weekends away and have a bunny sitter I pay extra to spend time with her and make sure she’s not lonely, it seems to be working well, but this month I was away first weekend, second weekend and a busy that week
  
  she went into the start of gut stasis yesterday and went to vets and then came home last night (where I stupidly reorganised her open cage, cleaned the room to defluff as there was loads) she wasn’t happy 🙁 went to bed, didn’t eat/drink and back to vets this morning 🙁
  
  due to be coming home soon but I fear I am just not a good enough bunny owner, I fear the stress of being away I don’t know, it caused this? But I know she’s in heavy mault so could’ve been from eating fur
  
  i just worry she won’t truly be happy unless I’m home all the time or she lives with a bunny buddy. I’m also terrified as if I have to syringe feed I’m too scared of ‘grabbing her’ to stress her out
  
  am I over reading and should stop panicking and ultimately a) grab her to give her meds if needed and b) read that she’s generally happy and this is just a one off
  
  Thankyou! For reading my panicky waffle!! I just fear I’m doing a terrible job but she seems ok and am I just overly panicking!? 😂😂
- 04/27/2022 at 3:55 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  I think you are being MUCH too hard on yourself!
  
  To answer your questions at the bottom, if you need to give her meds, groom her, syringe feed her, etc., yes it’s important to be able to pick her up. She won’t be happy with you at the moment, but she will forgive you. Bunnies are more resilient than we give them credit for. Have your vet show you how to syringe feed her and give meds so you are ready to do it at home if needed. Tough love is necessary sometimes! I’ve often found my buns are closer to me after an illness, despite them being very unhappy with me while they are being treated.
  
  And it sounds like this was most likely due to her molt. Many bunnies have stasis troubles with heavy molts and the season change. I think we’ve all had wake-up calls like this where we realize we really need to stay on top of the grooming! It’s certainly not a reason to rehome, just serves as a reminder to stay on top of things.
  
  It sounds like your bunny has a lovely home. It’s true that many bunnies are very happy with a bonded friend. If that’s something you can manage, you could look into it. Or it’s something you might consider in the future, if your financial or living situation allows it. But it’s not something you need to rush into doing. If you find you’re away from home more and more, it might make sense to bond her with a friend. Having bonded bunnies is wonderful, because you know they always have each other to snuggle with, but of course it’s more work, and the bonding process can take time.
  
  But yeah, you are def being too hard on yourself! Now go give that bun some nose rubs!
  
  . . . 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.
- 04/27/2022 at 6:30 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17224 posts
  Yes, I do think it is because of her molting and not anything you did. To be perfectly honest, some bunnies don’t really care if you’re there or not. As long as someone is caring for them and paying attention to them (if they desire attention), then they are OK. That person doesn’t have to be you 100% of the time. My parents have done a lot of bunny-sitting over the years and my bunnies didn’t seem to mind. We would return from vacation and they would act as if we had never left.
  
  So no, I don’t think you need to rehome your bunny. Your bunny has a great home. As Dana said, you’re being too hard on yourself.
- 04/27/2022 at 11:11 PM
  Felicity0118
  Participant
  31 posts
  Oh Thankyou both!
  she’s now home after a midnight trip to the vets! Vet had to cajole me to pick her up, emphasising that home was the best place, I was still unconvinced she liked home now!
  
  Went straight behind the sofa like last time, tried to give her kale and mint…totally ignored me and then flopped! She flopped! After all of this she flopped and just astounded by how ‘ok’ she is!
  
  then heard the wonderful noises in the night of her exploring new cage and eating her carrot topped house
  
  this morning, woke up when I did, got like 20 poops out of her, she ate the kale and mint and is now munching on the green bits from the naughty musli style feed (I’m thinking what the hell, she’s eating?🤔😂)
  
  All seems on a positive curve…but have meds at 10! So may go horribly wrong haha (not been shown how to do it, have only picked her up as a baby!😬)
  
  thankyou both for the reassurance, I am still concerned I’m too nervous in the front room with her being at home and prioritise her over settling into my new home buttt maybe I need to stop and see how she goes, she might surprise me!
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