Thumping feet?

[Pat]

Sorry for the double post today but I had another question regarding something unusual I saw my bunny do just now as I was letting her run around. For about 45 minutes she was totally normal: running around, exploring, binkying, sniffing etc. and her body language seemed normal. However, randomly, she got seemingly tense and I noticed that she kept eyeing me and moving her ears around to listen. She was taking very small steps and would sniff the carpet, look up at me, then go back to sniffing and repeat. If I made the slightest sound or movement, she would jump slightly so I knew she was on edge. After a few minutes of this, she started thumping her feet loudly about three times in a row (which I had read they do to warn about danger, but have never seen my bunny do before), the thing is I have absolutely no clue what could have caused her to do this so suddenly? Nothing changed in the room and everyone else in the house was sleeping so I’m not sure what it was she could have been hearing that put her on edge?

I googled it after it happened and read that if it’s followed by the bunny reverting back to normal behavior right after (such as running around/sprinting) it could be they were just trying to get you to pay more attention to them. After thumping her feet, she did do a little run towards me but her body language prior to the thumping was so tense/alert that it leads me to believe she was afraid/alarmed by something? Any clue what it could have been and tips about what I can do in the future to help calm her down/assure her theres no danger? This time I just started talking to her softly and gently to try and remind her I’m in the room and nothing bad will happen when I’m around (not sure how well that works, LOL) and she seemed to go back to normal a few minutes later but it made me a little nervous as it was happening.

Thanks for the help

[Mikey]

Yep, she was thumping to show that she does not like what is happening. It sounds like she couldnt really see you. The stretching, sniffing, and kind of “checking you out” shows that she doesnt really see or determine who you were. Coupled with the fact she would flinch when you moved, it really sounds like she had no idea who you were. Rabbits dont have the best eyesight. For example, my Blue was doing that weird movement towards our trash can and ended up running away in fear after wiggling a few inches from it. The trash can has always been there for the full two+ years weve had him. Sometimes he just cant see it very well.

You can try to help your bun by adding more light around the room. If shes still fairly new to your home, spend an hour or two laying on the floor around her every day. This will help her learn your scent and learn that you are not a threat

[Pat]

Posted By Mikey on 8/14/2017 12:32 AM

Yep, she was thumping to show that she does not like what is happening. It sounds like she couldnt really see you. The stretching, sniffing, and kind of “checking you out” shows that she doesnt really see or determine who you were. Coupled with the fact she would flinch when you moved, it really sounds like she had no idea who you were. Rabbits dont have the best eyesight. For example, my Blue was doing that weird movement towards our trash can and ended up running away in fear after wiggling a few inches from it. The trash can has always been there for the full two+ years weve had him. Sometimes he just cant see it very well.

You can try to help your bun by adding more light around the room. If shes still fairly new to your home, spend an hour or two laying on the floor around her every day. This will help her learn your scent and learn that you are not a threat

That makes sense as the room was more dimly lit than it usually is. I usually let her around during the day so theres plenty of natural light, but tonight it was dark when I let her out so she might have had some trouble seeing me. Thanks 

Additionally, I have really been trying to assess whether or not my bun is comfortable/likes/trusts me (by comparing her behavior to what I read about how other bunnies behave when they love their owner) and I kind of get mixed signals.. for example, my little bun almost always flops down in front of me and doesn’t seem nervous/hesitant towards me. A lot of the time when I am laying on the floor with her she will use me as a jungle gym and from time to time I will rub noses with her and she seems to at least tolerate it lol. However, whenever play time is over and I try to put her back in her cage she (of course) doesn’t let me pick her up easily most of the time.. I think this is because she knows that she’s going back in the cage for a little bit. Also, whenever she is in her cage she 90% of the time lets me give her pets etc. no problem, but when she’s running around/playing she doesn’t really like to be touched by me very much and if I go in to pet her she will move just ONE hop out of reach of my hand. Any reason that might be?

[DanaNM]

Bunnies, as a rule, hate being picked up. Rabbits are prey animals, so they fear for their lives when they are handled. So, if you have to pick her up every day, she will be afraid of you and your hands forever. 

You need modify her cage so that she can go in on her own. Whether that means building a ramp, steps, or moving the cage to the floor, she needs to be able to go in and out on her own. Then, only pick her up when medically necessary (like for nail trims). 

Once you can do that, she should make huge improvements and you will be able to build trust. 

. . . 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.  

[Deleted User]

Bombur will thump really loudly and for a few minutes when my mother in-law is around. Smart bunny xD

[Deleted User]

A&B – LMAO

Perhaps when she is in the cage she allows the pets because there isn’t a whole lot going on. When she is out and about for floor time, there is much exploring to do! My bunnies are free range. For most of the day, they don’t want me to bother them. But in the evening/night they usually like to have cuddles and pets. The thumping, I think that’s just something that will happen occasionally. Both of my bunnies will thump at the most random time. I live in the middle of the city so maybe they hear something I don’t. I usually just need to speak softly or make some kissy noises and reach down for some head pats and then all is good

[Author]

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