suddenly afraid of smooth surfaces?

[sir-rabbit-pants]

I have always had hardwood/tile floors with large area rugs.  When Thumper first came to live with me four years ago, I counted on his fear of smooth surfaces to keep him “contained.”  He quickly overcame that fear and for about three years has had no problem tearing across hardwood floors.  

In May, we moved to a new apartment and their “room” (NIC condo) is in an area with tile.  The living room and bedroom, both with hardwood floors are on either end of this area.  Over the last two months, Thumper has become extra nervous about hopping across the floors more than a foot or two without a rug.  Sometimes, he’ll even turn down food to avoid the trip across smooth surfaces…and this rabbit LOVES to eat.

But it’s also not everywhere.  He has no problem running into my bedroom which is a run of several feet between rugs…so I have no idea what his issue is.  He’s generally healthy although he’s getting up there in age.  Maybe he had a wipeout that I didn’t see?  Any ideas?

[JackRabbit]

It sounds like he probably did slip in the area he’s afraid of now. While we din’t want our bunnies to get hurt at any age, it’s probably best if you can put down an extra rug in that area for him.

[sir-rabbit-pants]

Update: It turns out Thumper has cataracts. See https://binkybunny.com/tabid/54/aft/136405/Default.aspx

The area he’s had the most trouble with is a wider expanse of floor without a lot of walls or barriers on the sides to help him navigate. I’m planning to put down a runner rug through this area to help him navigate. For now, there’s a towel and he seems to be having much less trouble with that.

[Peony]

My guess is because of the eye issue, he fears slipping now. Typically bunnies should not be on hard surfaces anyway since it can cause sore hocks in the back feet. Plus smooth surfaces prefent getting good traction should they decide to go full speed from standstill on it (like cars on ice or whatever)

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