Calming Nervous Bunny

[DorothyTheMiniSatinBun]

I just want to preface this by saying I know I am probably worrying too much… I have had my bunny for about a week, and she is adjusting very well. She’s quite affectionate and playful and is let out for at least 3-4 hours a day.

The only time I have seen her truly frightened is the first night we arrived and when we had a cleaner come clean our couch – she was absolutely terrified at the noise of the vacuum and struggled to get out of her exercise pen. We were home then and able to feed her and calm her down, but for the next couple of weeks the people in the apartment above us are doing very loud construction work during the day when my boyfriend and I are at work. She likes to hide in the tunnel when she’s nervous, but I’m afraid she will panic to the point of a heart attack. Any advice on possibly soundproofing the pen/floor? Or how to keep her calm during the 5 hours when nobody is home? Thanks!

[MrBun&Daisy]

oh no! as for the vacuum my buns got used to that pretty quickly (I use a hand vac to clean their house) but for the construction, I hope it doesn’t go on for too long! but I’ve heard some buns like music. I leave the TV on low for them while I’m at work (they’re spoiled) so they are pretty used to basic human living sounds and won’t panic as much if they hear something. maybe try leaving the tv on or a radio with some soft relaxing music. Also make sure she has plenty of hiding spots. if she always goes to the tunnel maybe put a blanket in there if its big enough. if not give her a hiding spot with a blanket or bedding so she can burrow and feel like she is safe since bunnies naturally burrow their homes. As far a sound proofing I’m not sure about that since its your upstairs neighbor-obviously if money weren’t a factor there’s plenty of ways to soundproof but that’s a very expensive option for something that is hopefully temporary anyway. hopefully it wont last long!

[DorothyTheMiniSatinBun]

Oh my goodness, thank you so much! The construction will probably only be a week or two, and I am hoping she will just get used to the noise. I am glad to know that hiding will make her feel safe because she actually has two tunnels she can choose from  Also thanks for the great advice of music or leaving the TV on. Hopefully my boyfriend will be ok with that idea! Haha

[MrBun&Daisy]

I’m pretty confident that she will get used to it. especially once she realizes that when she goes to her hiding spot nothing comes in after her she will feel better. most people use a radio-I use the tv because there are people and dogs downstairs so I leave a show on so all the noise sounds normal to them. I thought randomly hearing a dog bark or a kid squeal in the middle of a nice soft piano might throw them off lol I wouldn’t worry too much (hard to do I know) but she will realize its “her space” and that she is safe. I like to think of it as wild buns hearing thunder- they know enough to hurry home but also know it won’t hurt them or come into their home. if I drop something at home and it makes a loud noise they will usually run back to their house then thump at me to let me know they didn’t like that!! lol

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