New bunny scared outside cage

[Flo's Mom]

Hello!  I’ve had my bunny Flo for four days now, and tonight she got really scared when I let her out of her pen for the first time.  I blocked off a small, carpeted room for her to hop around in.  She came out of her pen right away and ran around the room, but the whole time she seemed really scared – she was thumping every couple seconds and skittering around (like she’d hop up to the curtain then RUN away; hop up to the chair then RUN away).  She went in and out of her pen a couple times.  She seemed so scared that after a few minutes I put her back in her pen.  But now, fifteen minutes later, she’s chewing and pushing on the door of her pen like she wants out again!

What do you think I should do?  Let her out again tonight since she seems to want to?  Try again tomorrow?  If she acts scared again should I put her back right away or leave her alone?  I read that if a bunny is thumping a lot she could be close to dying of fear – but maybe that’s overreacting?  She’s my first bun and I don’t know what do do.  Thanks!!        

[LBJ10]

I think that the thumping a lot = going to die part is a bit exaggerated. Bunnies thump for more reasons than fear. Sometimes they do it because they want attention or they are annoyed. But, yes, a lot of the time it is because something has alarmed them. That doesn’t mean they are close to being scared to death though. A bunny that is so scared that it is having a bunny heart attack or whatever would likely be screaming.

Anyway, I think you should let your bunny settle in a little more (it’s only been 4 days) and then let her explore some more. Is she thumps, she thumps. Let her figure out on her own that these new things are nothing to be alarmed about. Depending on where she came from, she may have never seen such things before. Everything could just be too overwhelming.

[Deleted User]

After reading your forum I couldn’t help but think back to when Henry first arrived home. He was so small, and I’m assuming overwhelmed by his new world – our house! He stayed close to his house, venturing a little further (a few steps) as the day went by. I can’t help but wonder now how terrifying that must have been for him? And to add to that, us over loving him! Anyhow, good news – 7 months later, he runs the house (did I say good news???), and he is so comfortable in his surroundings he wouldn’t know there is another world beyond. Just give Flo time and let her explore on her own terms, she will get there.
Don’t ever feel bad cause your a new bunny owner – we all were at one stage. You’ve done wonderfully so far by finding this site and asking the question. Sadly it took me a couple of weeks to come across BB, so you got a great head start. Henry survived – and he’s King of our Castle! Thanks to BB – I feel like I am now a confident bunny owner, and if ever I had/have a concern, I know with the click of the keyboard I’ll get heaps of great advice, and most importantly the best support ever! All the best, Henry’s mum.

[Jack and Noggin]

Was there music going? A breeze through the windows? Was it day or night? Were there shadows? Was the TV on? Does she have easy access back into her pen? When one of my buns freaks out they usually run back in their home to feel safe.

Basically, there are a lot of random things that could have freaked her – sometimes we can’t even see them.

Give her some time to calm in her pen. Next time you let her out, talk to her soothingly. Pet her when she’s out if her pen. Give her treats. Anything to calm her down.

[Moxie]

We have had Penelope for 21 days and her cage (home base) is always open to her bunny room, but she still only comes out to explore when I am in the room with her. Give her time and your bunny will become more comfortable with her surroundings. Just be kind and have patience, the experience is as new to her as it is to you Welcome to BB!

[Flo's Mom]

Thanks for the replies everyone! After a week Flo’s settled in well and is happy to hop around “her” half of the house. I’m feeling more relaxed too

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