Skiddish bunny

[bunny-yawns]

 Hi, this is my first post on this site.  LOVE the site, am horribly addicted btw.

My bunny is really skiddish and is frightened by every little noise.  We have our theories about why she might be this way, but they are all rooted in her “bunnyhood”.  I’ve started to leave a radio on with the hopes that she will become used to some sort of noise.  Has anyone else had a similar experience with this kind of behaviour, and do you think that the radio will help out at all?

[Bumblebunny]

We have had our bunny for almost two years. I am assuming each bun may react differently to noise; so I can tell you our experiences. At first when we vacuumed, he was scared of the vacuum and would run and hide. Now he comes over and runs around it while we vacuum. The same has been true with any number of other loud sounds. They bother him at first but he seems to get use to them and they do not bother him after a while. He still does get skittish when he hear a new sound, but he seems to adapt if it is repeated a number of times.

Since we are not home during the day, we set a clock radio to play quiet classical music for a couple of hours. I think I read somewhere that it might be better than leaving them in silence. We did check his reaction and he did not seem to mind it. I hope your rabbit will settle down and get adjusted to different sounds

[bunnytowne]

Hmm.   I know if a bunny has not been in a house b4  they take a while to get used to the noises.

HE will in time come to realize this is normal and not to be scared of.   Classical music is a good idea.

Had a friends rabbit for a bit who thumped at the noise our pills bottles made when we were getting out meds set out.  Was so funny.  She was eating them thump real loud too.

[Kax0r]

Posted By bunny-yawns on 09/29/2010 06:55 PM

 Hi, this is my first post on this site.  LOVE the site, am horribly addicted btw.

My bunny is really skiddish and is frightened by every little noise.  We have our theories about why she might be this way, but they are all rooted in her “bunnyhood”.  I’ve started to leave a radio on with the hopes that she will become used to some sort of noise.  Has anyone else had a similar experience with this kind of behaviour, and do you think that the radio will help out at all?

 

How long, exactly, have you had your bunny?

[bunny-yawns]

 Hi KaxOr,

She has been in my care for 7 months.  I’ve had the radio on now for a couple of days and it really does seem to be helping.  She seems more relaxed.

[BinkyBunny]

You said it the skiddish behavior might be rooted in her bunny past. Do you know much about her history before you got her? The radio can definitely relax some bunnies as it sort of blocks out other noises— sort of like white noise. Has she always been skittish — the whole 7 months?
I ready your profile and am so happy you have gotten attached and she is now your bunny. Has her location in the house changed?

[bunny-yawns]

 Hi BinkyBunny,

Yes, I know her complete history.  My daughter used to play music quite a bit while she had Nibbles, and I’m guessing that it probably was loud.    I know Nibbles spent way too much time by herself in her pen, without proper stimulation, exercise, care, etc.    I’m making it sound like my daughter is horrible, and I do not mean to do that at all!  It pains me to think that Nibbles was neglected, but it also pains me to write that it was my daughter who had her at the time.  My daughter just did not realise the complexity of bunny care.

We only have the basement of our house carpeted, so that’s where Nibbles has always been.  She doesn’t go into the bathroom down here (basement) because of the linoleum, and she is not allowed into the two bedrooms…. but she has the hallway and the main living area to run around in, which is quite large.  My office space is set up in the main living area so she and I spend tons of time together.

The radio has now been going (softly) for days and she seems much happier and more relaxed.  She still freaks out over noise, but it’s sudden noises like if someone drops something on the floor above or something.  

[jerseygirl]

My daughter used to play music quite a bit while she had Nibbles, and I’m guessing that it probably was loud.

Nibbles may have got used to the music and this may be why the radio is helping some now. Though at a lower volume is likely better all round.

It makes sense that she startles when a noise comes from above. To me, this would be a bit like being in a burrow and having rabbits above thump when warning those below.  Does she have a box she can go into to hide?  Also, if she’s in a condo of sorts, pulling something on top of it (on the outside) may help dampen noise coming from above. Like a carpet offcut.

[bunny-yawns]

 Hi jerseygirl,

I think though, that when my daughter had her the music went from being non existant to very loud and not so…tame.  The tamer music at a low volume is a nice happy medium and she likes it.  It may be my imagination, but I think there are some songs she likes better than others.  

Nibbles has quite a few hiding places.  What you said about noises from above makes absolute perfect sense!!  I guess I have to start thinking more like a bunny in the wild.  

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