Girl bunny thumping

[Chubby Peaches]

I adopted a girl bunny to be a companion for my boy rabbit. They are both spayed and neutered. Peaches (my girl rabbit) is a very shy bunny, but she has warmed up to me since I’ve adopted her. Chubby (my boy rabbit) and peaches are both bonded. Whenever Chubby sees me he loves to be pet and played with but peaches doesn’t. She just stays in the cage (it’s open and they are free range) and watches. Eventually she begins to thump at me and Chubby will go and spend time with her. Another time I was sitting down on the floor and writing a paper and she consecutively kept looking in my direction then thumping.

Does she hate me?☹️

[DanaNM]

Hi there, welcome

How long have you had Peaches? Did the thumping behavior start recently? Or once they were bonded?

Thumping usually does indicate fear, but if they were bonded recently, she could still be grumpy at you for the whole bonding process. If that’s the case, she’ll forgive you in time.

I’m currently bonding my two, and Bun Jovi thumps at me all the time because he thinks i’m going to scoop him up for a bonding session (and he normally loves me and snuggles up for pets)!

It helps to offer treats, and laying on the floor as you have been should help too.

Bunnies also act fearfully when they hear something scary (that maybe you can’t), the smell something weird (maybe your co-worker or friend’s dog?), or they are in pain (an underlying illness or injury).

. . . 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.  

[Chubby Peaches]

I’ve had her for almost a year. She takes treats from me and she’s not scared of me because she approaches me.

[DanaNM]

How long have the two of them been bonded?

. . . 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.  

[Chubby Peaches]

Nearly a year

[DanaNM]

Hmmmm, did the thumping start recently, or has she always thumped at you?

It can take shy bunnies a long time to warm up to you, but it does sound like you’ve made progress as you said she will take a treat from you.

. . . 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.  

[Author]

Messages