My rabbit is suddenly stressed and I don’t know why?

[Yuki]

So I was sitting on the floor when I realized that Yuki is, like, alarmed. She thumped her feet a few times, wouldn’t let me get close to her, and whenever I walk around she would run after me but then she didn’t. I gave her some lettuce but she didn’t get very excited like she always would and was like trying to go somewhere else to eat it (she would never do this). Her behavior was weird bc nothing really happened to scare her or something & the house was quiet. Also there are no other pets to scare her. I’m worried, I don’t know if I did something wrong? Or she is sick? I don’t really know & even though she was fine after a few moments I’m worried that something like that happens again, because she isn’t really brave and is VERY EASILY startled and scared. Please help me so that I make sure that she doesn’t become like this anymore!

[Muchelle]

Can it be there was an unusual smell hanging around? (from cooking, or parfume, or from outside…)
Or maybe wind howling or something unusual happening around the house.

Otherwise, it can be she was just ‘seeing monsters’ as I call it. My bun does it randomly especially at night, then goes back to his normal self in a few minutes

[Yuki]

I don’t think there was a smell or sound… At least I didn’t notice!
What exactly is that ” Seeing monster” thingy? I haven’t hear of it!( what ever the name is lol) but it could be that!
Could you explain more?
Thanks ^_^

[DanaNM]

My bunnies get spooked sometimes, where they thump for seemingly no reason, but I’m guessing they hear something alarming in the distance that we can’t hear! They don’t have those big ears for nothing! 

If she doesn’t get back to her old self and have a good appetite though, might want to make sure she isn’t sick. 

I’ve noticed with mine, if they get spooked, I talk calmly to them, or I just ignore them. Rabbits are social and pick up on our cues. If you react calmly, they will realize there isn’t a threat and should calm down. 

. . . 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.  

[sarahthegemini]

Unfortunately any new sound or smell (even those we ourselves can’t detect) can startle a bunny. I got very upset the first time Buttercup freaked out because she isn’t normally a scaredy bun. I wanted to make sure it didn’t happen again. But of course I can’t control the outdoors! So it will happen sometimes. Just talk calmly, sit on the floor and just be very patient.

[Muchelle]

The seeing monsters thing is when my bun gets randomly alerted and thumps a few times with no apparent reason. I usually walk up to him and stand by him for a few seconds asking him what’s wrong in a calm voice. I guess he picks up that nothing’s out of the ordinary and then goes about his merry way

[Yuki]

I’m glad that she isn’t the only one…! Thank you all very much for your information! I really appreciate it ❤

[Author]

Messages