Are some buns just not as hoppy?

[prince dorian the bun]

I am fairly new to this whole bun business, so maybe this is a pretty dumb question, but Dorian really doesn’t seem to get that he can hop over things. It’s not all bad, I can use knee high barriers to keep him out of my room, if he can’t climb up something he just doesn’t really get that he could just hop over it. He can hop, but generally only on to things (such as couch or bed) and then it is proceeded with attempts to climb up on it first and a lot of encouragement. He won’t try if he can’t reach it with his front paws when standing up. When he binkies he very very rarely leaves the ground more than a couple inches. He is a little bun, so I am not expecting huge leaps, I just always see these buns doing amazing hops so I wonder if there is something wrong. If Dorian was given the toilet paper challenge he would just climb over level one, probably level 2 as well… but mostly just knock the rolls off and proceed to lick them all and then just flop.

[caption id="attachment_1927743" align="alignnone" width="225"] why jump when you can flop?[/caption]

He seems healthy, his vet visits have confirmed that. I have had him since he was roughly 6months (he is jut over a year now) . Maybe he just never really learned how? He was found abandoned and then taken to the animal shelter where he adopted me, so I don’t really know his past. He is super snuggly and loves people though, so I can’t see him have being in the wild for long. He was also not even 3lbs when I adopted him, so very tiny to be out all alone. I just worry there is something physically wrong, but if some buns are just a bit lazy… or more climbers than jumpers I am fine with it.

[Wick & Fable]

I think so! Some are very adventurous, some aren’t.

My dwarf rabbit is very easily stopped in his tracks by a 14in grid wall, even though he can 100% jump over it. He also doesn’t flop anymore, nor zoomie or binky (unless he’s frustrated, haha; not when he’s happy). He, similar to your bun, needs a lot of coaxing to do things and often gets himself “stuck” on chairs or something, even though he is definitely able to get up and down safely.

On the other hand, my American Sable is very energetic. She zoomies constantly, flops at least 10 times a day, and loves to bolt and hop up and down her cage. She jumps on things that aren’t actually stable…. eep.

… I think generally, rabbits don’t really recreationally hop. They hop out of necessity, so I think what you’re observing is normal!

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.

[DanaNM]

Sounds normal to me! I think most bunnies won’t jump on or over something they aren’t 100% sure about, they have to be able to see where they are going clearly.

Some buns just love the cuddle life. Love that picture! Those little feet! <3

. . . 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.  

[prince dorian the bun]

Thanks! Now I feel better! When you have no first hand idea what “normal” really is it can be a little hard. He’s definitely about the cuddle life, though he does do occasional speed loops and wiggle dance parties. He also is convinced he is a great climber, he isn’t but I haven’t the heart to tell him yet…

Wick, how old is your dwarf rabbit?  Do they get less energy as they get older?

 

[Wick & Fable]

Young rabbits (8 weeks to 6mo’s, I’d say) are generally more energetic… as young children do, haha. During this time period, Wick (my ND) did flop occasionally, but he was never really one to zoomie in the first place.

He is now approaching 3.5 years old now and is pretty much the most lazy rabbit I’ve ever experienced. For one, he doesn’t chew on anything, on top of not zoomying or binkying. His days are essentially transitioning between sleeping, eating, cuddling to himself, or cuddling with me, haha. He has probably been this way since he was 2yo….

Fable, my American Sable (not rhyming on purpose; happened to turn out that way, haha), is about 1 year old, but even at this age, she is sooo much more energetic than Wick ever was… ever. So I do think personality plays a role, above and beyond age.

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.

[Bam]

“Why hop when you can flop?” That’s a perfect description of some buns, for example my bridge bunny Bam. He was very laid back. He could hop amazingly though, if he was motivated. His motivation was food. He once jumped from the floor right up in the air and landed in the bowl of fruit salad that I was holding in my hand. I had to wipe whipped cream from the walls. And from his huge feet. 🤣

[LBJ10]

Yep, I’ve never had to use anything higher than one of those tension baby gates. I can easily step over it. Some bunnies just aren’t that motivated. And if they aren’t motivated, they aren’t going to bother.

[prince dorian the bun]

Bam I snorted out loud reading your comment 😀

Well glad I have nothing to worry about then! Thanks for the comments!!

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