Accidentally stepping on my bunny.

[Amiamstar]

Hello, I’m a very new mum to Bertie. 6-7 months adoptee, not yet neutered but booked in for 2 weeks time. And once safe to do so, looking to bond with a neutered female.

The purchase was impulsive (as in I hadn’t done enough research, but am learning lots now) but I’m in love and am doing all I can for the little bundle to ensure he is happy. Large pen, so much exercise, and lots of attention from me.

We’ve bonded a lot, he is already sitting on my lap to be petted.

problem is he follows me EVERYWHERE and he’s constantly at my feet and I’m terrified I’m going to accidentally step on him. I’ve had a couple of near misses already and he’s completely oblivious! Any tips? Is this likely to be less of an issue once he’s been fixed?

also genuinely don’t know what breed he is – can you help?

 

 

 

[Bam]

Bertie is completely adorable! My first bun was an impulse of sorts too, he was a stray I found and took in. So I too had to learn “after the fact” and that worked very well!

Having him neutered could help with his following you around. Persistent following and circling are typical features of bunny courtship. The circling is often accompanied by grunting and also spraying pee on the object of desire (aka you). This type of peeing is a compliment and not in any way hostile.

It as a rule take 1-2 weeks post neuter for hormonally driven behaviors to subside.

The majority of buns are of mixed breed. Bertie is clearly a lop, and his banded marking is called harlequin. A yellow/black harlequin bun is called a Japanese harlequin. A black and white-ish harlequin bun is called a magpie harlequin.

[Amiamstar]

Thanks Bam. Good to learn a little bit about his breeding. I’ve got a feeling he may be crossed somewhat but can see that he’s def a lop.

I’m proper anxious about being a good rabbit owner probably to the detriment of my own mental health tbh but I’m hoping this will calm down once we get used to each other – suppose a bit like first time mothers in some ways? 😊

my stepson nearly stepped on him earlier and he’s so slow to move out the way. It’s so stressful!!

[Bam]

One way to try to avoid stepping on your bun is the slide walk. You basically drag your feet along the floor. I know moderator Wick uses this method and I do too, esp at night (f ex when I try to navigate my way to the bathroom in the dark 😄). I dont know how many times Ive said Please dont walk UNDER my feet!! to my buns.

Your bun might just be very happy and excited about being among people that love him. In which case neutering wont do much for his tendency to want to be very close to his new hooms. This could subside when he settles in and it dawns on him that he wont lose you even if he doesnt follow you around.

I personally think rabbits benefit greatly from having an owner who is somewhat prone to being anxious. We tend to pick up on subtle things, and rabbits are very subtle about their health. Being prey animals, they will do their utmost to try and hide any signs of poor health. They’re not “wait-and-see” animals. They wont “eat when they get hungry enough” like dogs will. They need an attentive and intuitive owner.

 

 

[Wick & Fable]

Indeed, the slide/shuffle walk is key. I have 3 black buns in my household now. Thankfully, after some time, they will naturally pick up signals to discriminate when you are actually likely to have food/treats or not. Just make sure you’re not reinforcing the behavior by giving him goodies and pets every time!

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.

[LBJ10]

I have had bunnies literally collide with my leg/foot while walking. They are definitely oblivious! As the others described, you have to do a shuffle when trying to get around when bunnies are running about.

As for breed, his ears look too long for a Holland. Probably a mini lop. As for the coloring, Bam is correct. It is called harlequin. Don’t confuse the harlequin coloring and the Harlequin breed though. The Harlequin breed is known for the coloring, but the harlequin coloring has been intentionally introduced to a ton of different breeds.

[Amiamstar]

Aw thank you all so so much for your tips and advice!! So helpful 😊 shuffling in socks it is then!!

Bam, I see your point about being anxious and therefore sensitive to changes. Hubby is complete opposite to that so he can balance me out 😂😂

[BunnyLass568]

Your bun is so cute! Blossom likes to run in to (and circle) my feet then she nips me (I think it’s because she got scared) when it’s time for hay so now, when giving her hay, I shake the bag I put the hay in above her litterbox and tell her “litterbox Blossom” and she hops in and I tell her to “stay there” and she usually does. But the shuffling will probably help you more than this method but I thought I should add it just in case.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Pets-Passed away: Hailey (9 years old, half rat terrier and miniature pincher, Feb-5-2019),Monster (13 years old, mixed breed, Lhasa Apso and some form of terrier, Sep-14-2020), Demon (14 year old Lhasa Apso, Aug-3-2022) Blossom (6 year old bunny breed(s) unknown, April-7-2024) Thumper (6 year old bunny breed(s) unknown, April-12-2024)💔💔💔💔

[A & CB]

I love Bertie’s stripes! They are so distinctive!

I’ve had my bun for a year and 3 months, so I’m still newish, but I’ll add a few things I’ve learned and hopefully it helps!

I found it’s easier not to step on my bunny if I’m barefoot rather than socks because I can feel his fur and have faster reactive time (in addition to doing the shuffle in the dark or when he’s especially at my feet). I also do a wide “under the tunnel”  pause if I think he’s going to run through my feet from behind, like when I’m brining salad over and he’s running to his usual salad-eating spot, I pause and let my bun run through my legs rather than try not to step on him while carrying things.

Honestly rabbits aren’t the best with spacial reasoning and motor planning, so there will be crashes. At this point I know my rabbit’s usual paths and try to not be in his way. But also don’t be too hard on yourself if he has some missteps or bumps. Reading online before I got my bun about how rabbits have super fragile bones got me panicked about how fragile/breakable they are. And while that is the case in terms of handling them/keeping them away from large heights, I certainly can’t stop my rabbit from excitedly/clumsily pitching himself into my legs when he’s whipped up about the possibility of treats!

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