IS my bunny playing or is he truely terrified of me?

[commander_BunBun]

I leave the bunny cage open so he doesnt feel like he cant come out and explore for this is his new home now, he’ll come out of his room see one of us moving around and he’ll run back into his room into his cage? how do i get him to see that we wont hurt him, and that this is his new house so hes allowed to explore…oh and yesterday we bought him this chew stick and i tried to feed it to him and he ripped it pout of my hands and through it away with his mouth, is that a major hint that he doesnt like it? or is it a game?

[bunnytowne]

the tossing is funny I dont’ think it means he doesn’t like you he likes to throw his toys apparantly. and once he adjusts he will be ok with you. try being in his room lying on the floor and just reading a book or resting and he will get curiuos and go explore you don’t move the first time he may give you a head bump. dont’ freeze up either next thing you know he may be climbing all over you may take a while you never know. is he a new bunny? he may need time to adjust and get used to you and all the house activity and noises.

[Beka27]

is he in a separate room from everybody?  if so, you’ll need to make sure to spend a lot of time in his room so he can get used to you.  or think about moving him to a more central location, like a living room or family room where he can see and smell and hear you all the time.  bunnytowne hit the nail on the head when she said to ignore him.  constant prodding or trying to pet will make him more fearful.  leave him alone but in a shaerd space and after awhile (a month, maybe more) he should start to come out of his shell a bit.  some rabbits will always be a little bit skittish, so you’ll need to accept him for who he  is too.  don’t expect a cuddly bun, b/c chances are you won’t have one.

[JK]

I have had Edson since November and it took a long time (weeks and weeks) before he would come out of his xpen that’s attached to his cage. Now he always comes out but under no circumstance will he go beyond the doorway to his room.  It’s like there is an electric fence there. He loves his cage too.  He’ll often nap in there to get away from it all.  Just give your bunny time.  He needs to feel secure before he ventures out. Oh I definitely think your bunny was playing with the stick!  Very cute.

[babybunsmum]

what flooring do you have?  that may affect your buns ‘roaming’ territory a bit at first too.

i’ve had my bun pinky almost 2 months now and her enclosure is in a spare bedroom.  for the first week she wouldn’t leave her enclosure really, but after that she began to explore her bedroom.  it’s hardwood floor with a big utility mat for her traction.  for 2 more weeks she wouldn’t leave the bedroom at all.  then i decided to lay a towel on the vinyl flooring in the hall right out side her bedroom door and she jumped right onto the towel & out in the hallway!  for a few weeks i’d pull the towel further & further down the hall & into the kitchen.  each time she came out she’d explore a wee bit further… sniffing around and marking her territory (the towel came in handy for that). 

just yesterday she turned the corner into the kitchen & discovered the kitchen towel-free.  even still… if she hears a sudden noise she scrambles back into her room & then into her enclosure.  it just takes time.  and also i coaxed her by laying on the floor on the other side of the towel to give her head pets.  right now i’m looking for some rubber-backed mats to throw down for her traction that can be thrown into the wash.  i know she’ll feel more secure on them incase she has to scramble back to the safety of her room!

[commander_BunBun]

ya we went shopping today to get him more toys see how he adjusts to them, we got him a tiny kong and stuck a carrot in it. We also got him sum wooden chew toys, and sum carrot treats cause he loves carrots he did eat the celery but hes not a big fan of most green vegatables he didnt like cucumbers, but we will try that another day, thanks for all ur help hopefully hes not so afraid ne more.

[JK]

What’s a utility mat exactly?  I’ve got to figure out better traction today.  I’m sure that’s a big reason Edson seems so cautious.  These grass mats are stupid as they slip and slide.  Plus now I know he needs a more cushiony rug.

[Beka27]

Edson isn’t a carpet eater right?  i think probably any rubberbacked rug should work.  i think a utility mat is just one that has a rubber backing, maybe like the kind that is right inside the door at stores to dry shoes off on?

[babybunsmum]

i got this 6’X4′ mat at zellers on sale for $6… it’s not very soft but slightly cushiony (feels better to kneel on than the hardwood floor).  it’s got great traction because it’s rubber backed but the corners do curl up a bit since its so thin.  i just didn’t want to invest more $.  to clean it from pee (pinky marks hers a fair bit right now) i scrub it with soapy viengar water every 10 days or so.  i hope to hose it off in the driveway when the weather is warmer & then the sun can dry it out nicely.

i was hoping to find a cheap version of small baths mat thats soft on one side with thin rubber on the back for the hallways / kitchen.  with those i’d set them out for free-roam time only and roll them up & have them put away otherwise (easier to clean all the hair fluffs).

133091737971.jpg

[JK]

No Edson doesn’t chew anything at all.  Thanks for that picture.  That helps. I have a runner downstairs like that near the garage. I guess my office is not going to look too beautiful with all these rabbit rugs.  Oh well.

[commander_BunBun]

i have tile flooring is that stopping him cause its slippery? cause if so i want to go get an area rug asap, cause i dont want him to feel like he cant come out

[Beka27]

it’s possible.  many rabbits don’t like not having traction.  some rabbits could care less either way.  it took my rabbit months to venture off of the carpeted area in my house.  my first rabbit never left my living room b/c the adjacent hall was tile.  you might want to try rugs.

[JK]

I definitely think these slick floors have something to do with it. 

[commander_BunBun]

i just cleaned his litter box and now he keeps dumping it:@ its making me so frustrated hes being so difficult today if ne one can tell me why that would be great, im going crazy!

[Scarlet_Rose]

Be careful how many carrots you are feeding him, they are the equivalent of a cady bar for us humans as they are packed with sugar.  Insist that he gets and eats leafy greens (very important so he gets all the nutrients he needs).  It sounds like he is training you to only give him “junk” food and only the stuff that he likes.

Here is an article on getting your rabbit to eat veggies from the CO HRS:

http://www.coloradohrs.com/articles/diet_misc_feeding.asp

Will he eat hay?

[Author]

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