My bunny is running away from me

[Chewy28]

Good day guys!

This is my second thread after I resolve my first problem about my little princess Chewy.

I had stopped her from pooping and peeing unto bed and every where. I can see now that she know how to use her litter boxes although sometimes she leave marks but not as much as before.

All I do is put her in her cage every time no one will supervise her and every night when we are about to sleep.

She used to it, she’s not that wild nipping and struggling to death just to get out of her cage like before. She’s just making noise when she’s hungry or want to have midnight snacks

But after that, I just notice that or I felt that she’s avoiding me.   Before, once I called her name she’s rushing coming to me. She’s tugging and nipping my clothes when she wants me to pet her and after I pet and cuddle her, she’s licking me and I’m so happy about it.

But now, she just come to me when I have a food on my hand. When I pet her on her favorite spots, after a moment she’s running away.

I try to give her toys and play with her although ever since she has no interest on toys. But nothing works, she’s just running away then find a place to lay down where she can watch me on a distance. Even I call her name she doesn’t care , she’s just staring at me. On her floor time out of the cage, she has nothing to do than to eat, poop/pee, lay down and sleep.

Sorry about this long thread but this really breaks my heart. I try to find an answer on other’s thread but I don’t succeed. I hope you guys could help me bonded with my Chewy again.

[Sarita]

Moving to Behavior.

[Peony]

How old is she? Maybe try letting her be on your own? (like giving space and just letting her come to you on her own terms

[Tessie]

It seems like Chewy is a young bunny and you haven’t had her very long.

So I would say this is just her settling in and her personality showing through.
When a bun first comes to a new environment they’re likely to be a bit nervous and act differently until they really settle down.
Also, many baby bunnies are ‘friendlier’ and more comfortable around people, and this often changes when they age.

So I would say this is probably just a case of her growing up a bit and becoming a bit less sure of humans, and also because she’s really settled in her new home and her true personality is coming through.

It’s normal for bunnies to not want to come to you unless you have food, so don’t worry about that!
If you want to bond with her some more, then try to ignore her, and continue to give her food and pets when she comes to you, this is the best way.

Lots of bunnies aren’t that interested in toys, and as you haven’t had her very long, I doubt she knows her name.
Try not to worry, she sounds perfectly fine, the bond between you two will come with time.

[Chewy28]

Not sure about her age coz I just bought her from a pet store but it’s her 2nd month with us now and I guess she’s in her teenager stage.

Her behavior on her first month with us is really different than now. I already tried to ignore her too and the result she ignores me more >.<

The good thing is she knew when I came home and she’s circling my feet when I enter the room maybe because she’s looking for food :3

When I call her name, she’s moving her ears and listening where the sound came from and just stare but when I say “pssstt” she just ignore it >.<

[Tessie]

Circling your feet is a hormonal behaviour, maybe it’s time to think about getting her spayed.

[Chewy28]

Is she thinking me as her partner?

Actually I was thinking that she loves my boyfriend more than me because she’s letting my boyfriend pet her than me

 I was planning about spaying too. Maybe it’s time for her to visit a vet.

And now I guess my Chewy is totally that lazy for her to lay down and sleep the whole day xD

Anyway thanks for the info guys  I’m almost getting crazy about what’s happening on her. But now I think I found another options and answer on what to do. Thank you so much again

[xBunnyKissesx]

Are you sure that she’s a girl? Pet stores often mis-sex animals, and male bunnies are usually the ones who circle around their human’s feet. Trust me. I have a “girl” who does just that, we went to the vet and sure enough Sienna is a little dude.

[Peony]

Posted By xBunnyKissesx on 5/28/2014 10:38 AM

Are you sure that she’s a girl? Pet stores often mis-sex animals, and male bunnies are usually the ones who circle around their human’s feet. Trust me. I have a “girl” who does just that, we went to the vet and sure enough Sienna is a little dude.

I second this, why I asked the age. Time for a vet visit

[Chewy28]

Yeah I’m totally sure she is a she  I confirmed it the first time I groom her that’s why I am now confused about that circling thing if like you have said that only guy does it. Is she thinking that she’s a guy or what? xD

and Peony is right, maybe this is the time to visit a vet just to make sure why my Chewy is acting like that.

[Sarita]

Circling isn’t just a male thing – I’ve had females that do it as well.

Rabbits usually sleep all day – that’s pretty typical.

[Peony]

I mean it might be good idea to see a vet to inquire about a possible spay too

[LongEaredLions]

Also remember that bunnies are prey animals, so she may be too wary to come to you all the time. Baby bunnies tend to be a bit more daring, it is likely she is just becoming an adult. I would go for the spay, and then work on the behavior after that when you know what her real personality is like under the hormones.

[Chewy28]

Sorry guys for late updates, I’ve been so busy this past days on personal matters but I have something to update.

Since I am busy and I go outside early in the morning and go home late. There’s some changes I notice about Chewy.

Before I leave the house I am saying goodbye to her and leave her some foods for her whole day meal. (Good thing she knows how to part her food and save for later xD) Then when I came back home, I just notice she’s a bit excited just when I call her name in front of the door.

I mean, when I say “Chewy~” she’s thumping, standing and rushing to go out of the cage. Then when I let her out, she’s circling my feet and then she stop when I sit beside her and wants me to pet her head the way longer than before. 

I just wanted to say or rather ask if is this a good sign of progress regarding our bonding? It feels like she missed me when I’m gone 

[LongEaredLions]

I would say if she likes you to pet her more than before, you are progressing. After her spay you at need to restart with bonding, but her real personality will show through instead of the hormonal behaviours you are seeing now.

[Chewy28]

Glad to hear that now I’m looking for an experienced vet for bunnies because the last time I visit a vet, my little turtle dies because of nothing. I waste money and he just give me non-sense prescription ended up losing my first pet turtle >.<

[LongEaredLions]

Oh yes, don’t let an inexperienced vet touch your bunny. Call around and ask lots of questions.
So sorry about your turtle! :/

[Chewy28]

Thank you so much for the answers and suggestions.

Anyway it’s been months before I moved on when my first turtle died so her memories is very precious to me that’s why I’m so picky when it talks about vets.

And I just notice, your lions are adorable LEL xD

[LongEaredLions]

Thank you! I think they are quite cute myself!
Being picky about vets is never a bad thing.

[Chewy28]

I dunno if this is good or bad but when I first see Roxi’s pic i thought she’s a cat lol but it’s really cute xD

[Usagi1618]

Actually Pookie is a girl and she circled me ALL the time before I got her spayed lol

[Avantika]

I noticed one thing in Moshu, that keeping her out of her cage keeps her in a better mood. She nibbled and licked me yesterday and today.. I hate to keep her in a cage too. Keep yours outside her cage as much as its possible for you. That will contribute to her feeling good towards you.

[ustjayenjay]

I have found that my buns are a little lazy during the day, they are most active around dusk and dawn..if you are able sit with her during those times to strengthen your bond and perhaps give treats when going into cage and coming out. That may get her to more easily realize that it will be a routine, and also associate going into the cage with treats and then associate you with treats and quality petting time when you get home.
My buns have very distinct personalities, even being so young, and we definitely bonded more easily when I spent floor time with then and let them come to me. Lots of patience and paying attention to their body language and cues. And of course positive reinforcement. Even just their veggie salad meal times, I sit nearby, they like alfalfa hay (which is free fed along with timothy) so much I can use it as a “treat” so they aren’t getting too many sweet fruit treats. When they hear the rustle of the bag of hay and catch the scent they come running.

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