Buns + pup

[zorroandgreyson]

About a few days ago we got a pup. My two buns dont seem to like him very much, when they see me taking him out for a walk they get almost mad at me. They get plenty of playtime everyday. My bun Zorro, he used to lick me all the time up until we got the pup. He barely lets me touch him anymore. Same with my other bun Greyson. I don’t know whats wrong. I put a little fence between one of my buns and the pup to see what would happen but the puppy scared Zorro. I dont know what is going on and its making me kind of sad because my buns dont seem to like me anymore.

[Wick & Fable]

Welcome to BB Antonio Banderas (Zoro, haha). I’m sorry to hear things seem off in your animal-filled family. Hopefully the BB community will be able to give some good advice and new perspectives.

My initial thought is scent. Rabbits have incredible noses and they do a lot of identification by scent, rather than look. For a rabbit, you smelling different may make you very unfamiliar. It’s weird to think like this, because that’s like saying your best friend used a new laundry detergent and since they smell different, you don’t recognize them. In reality though, that’s sort of how your rabbits may be feeling.

In addition, your rabbit(s) is scared of the puppy, so if you smell like the puppy, your rabbits will be scared of you by association.

I recommend keeping the new puppy and your rabbits separate for a while, and in the meantime, spend time bonding with your rabbits like they never met you before. You are trying to interact with them how old-scent you would, but this is new-scent you. Your rabbits need to learn the new-scent you is trustworthy and safe.

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.

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