Maybe she doesn’t like me?

[Scarlett]

I’ve had Scarlett for a while now. At first she was very snuggly but  then the last few weeks she really hasn’t seemed very social with me.

I know her cage is too small and I’m building a new one this weekend but she does get plenty of free roam time. She seems to have adjusted well to her surroundings and she doesn’t mind the cats at all. Of course the cats and her only interact face to face when I’m supervising just in case.

She did a binky the first time I let her out and she had done some exploring. I’ve never seen her do it again. 

She has lots of toys and I’ve seen her play. I figured I was doing everything right but maybe she’s just not happy or maybe she is happy and just could care less about me?!

[Deleted User]

Remember that she is a lagomorph, very distinct from a human, canine or feline. My guess is she likes you just fine. She may be going through an exploratory phase… it does not mean she does not like you. If she eats, plays and binkies — she is happy enough.

[Beka27]

I agree. Also, sometimes when you first get a bunny (regardless of age, background, reproductive status, etc) they may seem to tolerate handling better… for awhile. This may end up actually being the result of a fear response due to a new person, new place, new smells, sounds… They are scared, so they become very docile and will go along with anything. Once they acclimate, *suddenly* they don’t like being handled, when really… it’s BECAUSE they are more comfortable and confident in their surroundings.

(Does that make sense? I think I typed myself in circles.)

[MayaConsuelo]

The same thing happened to Mr. Bun-Bun. He spent many afternoons in the clinic sleeping in my lap… now I realize it was partly due to unfamiliar surroundings and he was scared, and partly due to it being his peak sleepytime (afternoon.) Now that he’s totally comfortable in my house he never crawls into my lap voluntarily but is very friendly, follows me everywhere, comes when I whistle, etc. If he’s scared or in an unfamiliar situation (like the vet) he’ll be right back in my lap.

I am picking him up nearly every day however… I know they don’t like it but I want him to be used to it for when it’s necessary (nail clipping, etc.) AND on those rare occasions, every couple weeks or so, he will calm down and fall asleep in my arms, which is even cuter now that it’s more infrequent

[Alina]

I have the same panic. But I’m trying to realize the bunnies are unlike dogs. They might not want to snuggle, be petted, or picked up. They might just like you from afar.

[Scarlett]

Thanks for all the feedback! I played with her last night with all of your advice in mind. I didn’t try to pet or snuggle with her and just played with her rattle ball. I got 2 binkies out of her so I’m pretty sure she’s a happy bunny And just before I went to bed, I laid on the floor and she came and sat beside me. She let me pet her head for a bit and I think I got a few happy sounds out of her. I think I was just pushing it a little to much.

Thanks again!

[LoveChaCha]

Yay happy bunny!

[Author]

Messages