thumping

[cinnamonbuns]

We got a 4 yr old bunny on Christmas, and he is wonderful.  His cage is in my daughter’s closet in which we always keep the doors open (Its a large cage he has spent his life in) and he has really taken to me–the jury is still out for my daughter, but he is getting used to her.  Anyway, I’ve noticed that at night, he thumps quite a bit while we are trying to sleep.  It is so loud I hear it in the other room. I come in a few times to pet him and see if he’s ok, and he seems to be fine for a while, but then goes back to the thumping.  Is he doing this just for attention, or could there be another reason.  In his former home, he was used to sleeping in the basement which was totally dark, and no one around.  Were losing sleep.  What can we do?

[Beka27]

Welcome here!

He may hear or sense something that is outside which is making him thump. It’s hard to really know what is causing it. Are there other pets in your home that may be wandering in and out of the room at night? Buns don’t really thump for attention, they thump to express displeasure or danger.

[Balefulregards]

Beka is right – Buns don’t usually thump for attention…..BUT Coco did. I rescued her from a similar sounding situation ( basement where she was in the back, no light, no one around) and when she first came upstairs, she would thump if I stopped petting her and she wanted more.

Buns are really social creatures and he is probably in a bit of adjustment shock.

Coco no longer thumps like that – but she is now free range 24/7. and can now demand rubs from me whenever she feels like it.

You may want to try covering the cage with a towel to help darken the cage and filter any noise. Any noise he hears must sound like a potential predator coming to eat him ( and all of you). His thumps may well be is way of trying to warn his new warren (All of you) that he hears something of possible danger.

Also, you will find that Buns are Slower to Warm than other pets you may have had. I know I was a bit taken aback by how long it felt like it took Coco to warm up to me ( as compared to say, the Cat who walked in our back door and never left). While their devotion will be great, it also means that they are Smart (super smart) and need lots of time and patience for correction of behaviors.

In fact, they remind me of groups of 4 year olds I used to teach. Smart and Feisty.

I have learned everything I know about rabbits from this site – you will find such fabulous information here. Welcome

[Sage Cat]

Hi Cinnamonbuns, Congrats on your new bun!

It could be that he is just unsure of his new surroundings.

My bunnies thump both for danger and for attention.
Of course, if something startles them – they thump! It is surprising how loud it is.
Winston – my little Dutch boy – will sit directly under my husbands chair and thump when he wants pets. It always gets him some!
Kay will sometimes thump right before she does something, like a really big binky, to make sure we are watching. Kind of like “Hey, look what I can do!”

It seems that with bunnies, you really have to take the time to be patient, get to know them and interpret they are saying. Luckily, for me, this is one of the best parts of having bunnies. 

[cinnamonbuns]

Thanks so much for the welcome and the answers! Yes, there is other noise in the room. My daughter has 2 (very socialized and cuddly) pet rats that are up half of the night feeding or playing. I didnt even think of the sound coming from them as a potential threat. Good ideas, and as I get to know my Cinnamon Chai better, I will figure out exactly what to do. Thanks again!

[Balefulregards]

Ah. He is acting as Guard Bun for his new Family!

[Author]

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