Distant Bunny

[Cocoa Puff]

     Hi all!

              I first got my bun almost 4 months ago when he was supposedly 4-5 months old. We bonded immediately and he was very   loving and tender. He was kind of like a lap dog in which he loved snuggling up on my chest and never minded being held. I started to notice after 2 months, that he was not being as obedient(yes really, obedient!) and loving towards me when I came back from a week long trip. I was told that while I was gone, he had stopped eating and appeared to be depressed. When I returned, he went back to normal with his diet, but only remained to doing his own thing if you understand what I’m saying. By now it’s been some time since then, and I’ve done EVERYTHING in my power to make up for what might’ve seemed like a long gruesome week to him, by being extra attentive and loving, but things seem to be getting worst as time goes on. When I try to take him out of his cage, he runs away and hides in his apartment. He’ll corner himself and start squeaking so when I am finally successful in taking him out, and it is time to put him back in the cage after some hours of exercise and playtime, he does the same thing! He will run as fast as possible to avoid me grabbing him and will scratch, kick, and thump away from me. It has gotten so bad that he even corners himself and pees and I feel so bad, because it actually looks like he is genuinely afraid of me! I don’t know what I could have done to have made him distrust/dislike me so much. I try so hard to love up on him, feed him his favorite treats and allow him lots of playtime, but I’m at the point where I believe I am probably not even the problem and that he is perhaps ready to get fixed. Do you guys think that it is probable that he is going through his “teen rebellion phase” or if not, what could I do to make him more comfortable with me? Like I said, we had instantly bonded when I first got him and this issue has only been ongoing for the past month and a half to two. I’m really worried and heartbroken that this is occurring, and if someone could offer me some advice or insight, I would be so grateful! Thanks!

[kurottabun]

Bunnies can hold grudges but 2 months sounds like a long time to do that, so it could be a hormone spike. Since you know he doesn’t like being picked up now, don’t do it. You can use a treat to lure him into a carrier or litter box to transport him in and out of the cage instead Try not to touch him if it’s not necessary and just let him come to you on his terms.

Sometimes they can be aggressive when they are not feeling well too though. Is he eating, drinking and pooping normally?

[MountainBuns]

It could be sickness or hormones, when will he be neutered?

[Sirius&Luna]

It sounds hormonal, but I think you’re also reinforcing his fear by chasing and cornering him. Rabbits only squeak when they are deathly afraid, so he is genuinely afraid.

Lots of young bunnies enjoy being carried and cuddled, but as they mature, they tend to become far less tolerant of this. Both of my male bunnies were the cutest, cuddliest little things when they were babies. They would literally curl up and sleep on my lap, but now they absolutely wouldn’t tolerate it. They still like me, and they still come over for attention when they want it, but it’s on their terms, and they wouldn’t just chill out on my lap for hours anymore. So I think you need to accept that he’s probably not going to be as cuddly and chilled as he was when he was a baby, but you can still have a great relationship with him.

So, while it is worth getting him neutered, as it does sound like some of his behaviour is hormonal, I think you also need to change some habits, and adapt your expectations of him.

Firstly, stop taking him in and out the cage yourself – he should be able to enter and exit the cage himself to stop these situations where he’s being chased and hiding in a corner. This might mean you need to adapt his cage, but your relationship will not improve while you’re chasing him twice a day. It’s essential that that stops. When I want my bunnies to go back into their pen, I just put some veggies in, and they know that it’s dinner time and happily go back in by themselves. Sometimes I have to herd them in, but I’m not chasing them, and there’s a treat at the end.

Secondly, stop trying to play with him and fuss him. The best way to interact with him is to sit on the floor, and let him come to you when he’s ready. Don’t immediately stroke him or fuss him. Let him learn that you’re not always trying to pick him up or chase him. Give him treats/pellets/veg and slowly build up trust with him.

[Cocoa Puff]

     Yea I figured that it wasn’t me leaving anymore. He has been eating and pooping just fine. All that’s relatively wrong is that he’s been acting funny, but he is normal. I know now to just try to let him come to me and when I am able to get him fixed, I will able to be for sure it that was the problem. Thanks for the insight!

[Cocoa Puff]

     I am no bunny expert, but I don’t think it is possible that he isn’t well. He is relatively normal with no issues eating now nor pooping. I think it might be hormonal so I will try to take him to the vet next week!

[Cocoa Puff]

       A lot of what you said made so much sense. I knew there was something wrong everytime I went to take him out/put him in, but unfortunately I have his cage set up when its high up. I realize that when I sit in his xpen with him and don’t pay him much attention, he will come up to me on his own and lick me like crazy. I hope to get him fixed soon so maybe he can calm down a bit, but a lot of what you said made a lot of sense so I will definitely try to change my perspective and adopt a different approach as to showing him love. Thank you so much for your insight, I really appreciate it! 

[MountainBuns]

Your Welcome! I hope all is well

[MountainBuns]

Your Welcome! I hope all is well

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