My rabbit is scared of me?

[YogiWabbit]

Okay so everything has been fine but today I took out my rabbit to let him hop around and play, but today was a little bit different. Yogi was acting normal until I left the room real quick and came back and he was scared of me? Although a few moments later he was grooming himself and I brushed him, but right now he seems a little bit scared of me. 

I am wondering what could have triggered this and this has happened before but usually the next day he is normal. One time I was wearing a blue shirt and he didn’t come up to me until I wore the white shirt I was wearing before.

I’m just a bit worried and wondering why he would do this? He is only 7 months old and I’ve had him for 2 1/2 months. 

[Meesh]

What do you mean by scared? Why do you think this? As in he wont come to you, or that he stomps at you when you come close? runs away? or?

I have one bun who is pretty skiddish, her mood changes day to day… Sometimes I go in and shes all over my feet waiting for rubs, and another she runs away, jumps and slides into the cage rather ungracefully and doesnt want me to touch her. It has nothing to do with what I do, it is just how she is feeling (or maybe the moon or the weather haha).

I suggest to come in slowly with treats (or a treat), and lay down on the ground (browse the internet on your phone/laptop or read a book or just watch him — but dont make sudden movements), and if you have long hair to keep if out of your face so when (if) he comes to investigate, he can see your features (although they smell you as well). Wait for him to come to you, and be comfortable with you, and allow him to sniff you out and leave on his own. It is important that if he is scared, and coming to you cautiously, to not reach your hand out to pet him, because he will run. You need to let him know that he can trust you. If you have treats at this time you can slowly hand him one when he comes to you to let you know that you are good.

Good luck.

PS. Two months isn’t really all that long. Some rabbits warm up to you quickly, some don’t. My rabbit has been with me for 6 months and she still has skiddish days, however fewer than when I first got her. 

[YogiWabbit]

After a few hours of me being out, I came back and I cleaned his cage and he was being friendly again and chomping on his hay while I was cleaning his cage. Yogi was the more calm and relaxed bun out of his sister and brother, so I think maybe he’s possibly a little shy as well maybe? 

When I let him out to clean his cage I let him come to me and he seemed fine, so I mean I guess I’m not sure why he does it. He’s not really scared he’s more of a ‘cautious mode.’ 

I thought It might have been my color of my shirt, lol.

[Meesh]

I have read that they do have good memories, and one of the buns I got was from a male owner that didn’t want him anymore… Between my boyfriend and I, she was much more comfortable with me for a long time, and we figured because my boyfriend was male and reminded her of the previous owner (short hair, voice?)… So I guess the same could go if someone in a blue shirt ever hit or scared your bun or something? That or it could be mad at you for leaving if you had to put it in a cage, or left when it thought you were playing?

[Meg]

Hey there! I wouldn’t worry about this. My bunnies and I have been living together happily for 8 years and they can still be spooked pretty easily — I think it’s just the nature of prey animals like bunnies to often be in “cautious mode.” They have pretty poor eyesight so if you are an unfamiliar shape (like if you’re carrying something), they won’t recognize you — I’ve gotten into the habit of saying hi to them when I come in the door so they know it’s me from my voice. They also can be spooked if you approach them too quickly or directly (even if you were just on your way to another room). It’s not a big deal — I just try to avoid startling them while also understanding that many times I won’t be able to prevent it, and they’ll calm down fast once they realize it was a false alarm.

It’s also a bit of a personality thing. One of my bunnies usually loves being petted and the other one only lets me pet him some of the time. I’ve had them both since they were little, so I think it’s more individual variation than necessarily a problem.

Enjoy your new bunny!

[Author]

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