Bunny affection digressing?

[ajohnson]

I have had Juniper for about a year now and I got her when she was about 7 weeks old. In the beginning she was very anti social and scared, as expected, but slowly got more used to me and let me pet her, play with her, and sometimes she would come onto my lap if there were treats involved. She is a “free roam” bunny (I use quotes because she doesn’t leave the carpet in our living room even through she has full access) and used to always come out and at least sit with me while I was watching TV (I usually sit on the floor with her). However, in the past few weeks she has completely digressed to the point where she barely comes out of her cage when I’m around, and if she ever lets me pet her then it is only for a small amount of time before she sprints away like I hurt her or something. Otherwise she is acting completely happy, she still binkys in the morning when I give her her pellets, and she flops constantly inside her cage, and she come out to run around as soon as I leave the carpet area. She is fixed and was deemed healthy when I last brought her to the vet.

Another thing is that this behavior is mostly with me. My friend came over and stayed with me for the weekend and she was all over him. She jumped onto his lap on the couch, sat on his foot all day, and even let him pick her up (something she wont even let me attempt to try to do!). Did I do something bad?

[Asriel and Bombur]

Have you been smelling different or doing anything different? Some bunnies get finicky that way. Asriel was the same way as Juniper. Took months for him to come out of his shell. Now he loves bed time snuggles and will come over to say hi throughout the night (he’s still not a huge fan of being touched unless the lights are off). But when I first get home from work or just being out he gets pretty fussy. I have to wash my hands with the same soap every time. Or if I’m cooking or I touch the dogs that live in the house (not mine). I always need to have my hands smelling like one particular soap for him to be okay. Some bunnies are just like that.

[ajohnson]

I don’t think so, I don’t even use perfume. But maybe I’ll try washing my hands with the same soap when I come home and see what happens!

[Q8bunny]

Ooh! Decreasing! I was super intrigued by your thread title. lol Sorry.

Yes, I second the new scent. It desn’t have to be something YOU’re aware of, just something your bunbun can detect.

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

How are you feeling btw? Have you got the flu by any chance? My rabbit always avoids me when I have a cold sore flare-up or the flu. Being ill changes your scent, Breintje sits near to me but doesn’t like to be touched when I’m ill. My last cold sore lasted over 2 weeks, it was quite frustrating to see him but not being able to pet him.

[Author]

Messages