Timid bun having trouble adjusting to new home

[Laragc]

We brought home a new bunny, Mila, last Saturday to be a companion bunny to our current rabbit, Sprinkles. I’ve had to stop all bonding because Mila seems to be having trouble adjusting to our home.

We have them in side-by-side pens in our entry foyer (the only even semi-neutral space in our house). This opens into the open plan living space. During the day, Sprinkles gets free range in my son’s room (where she normally lives), while Mila gets free range in the open living/dining area, the hall, and the powder room.  She will explore about 15 feet out from the cage but will not do a full room explore with me here and will immediately hop back to the cage if I approach. I did accidentally leave the door to my (bunny-proofed) room open the other day and I came back from working in the garage to find her happily sitting in there by my sliding door but she hopped under my bed immediately.  (Buns love under the bed – Sprinkles will hide under there as well). She came out eventually so it was fine.  

She was very friendly and cuddly in the shelter before we adopted her.  Her pattern here is – will run up in cage  for attention when she’s hungry. Will tolerate pets when she’s caged through the bars. If you approach when the cage is open/at free range time, she’ll scoot away to her little hidey timothy hay cocoon.  She will let me pick her up and groom her a bit (she’s having a shed) but she mostly freezes and is clearly unhappy about it.  She JUST today let me pet her when I brought her over some hay with the cage open but scooted after about 2 minutes.  

Sprinkles is the world’s friendliest bunny  (adopted us by hopping into our house and flopping down after being released in the park next door by her previous evil owners), so I’m not used to timid bunny behavior.  I’m concerned that Mila’s not adjusting to our space/house well but is it too soon to tell?  We need her to be able to explore/not be terrified as the bunny sleeping space, once they are bonded, is my son’s room. He’s very good with them but I don’t want her living in terror of being in close proximity to a human. Does she just need more time?  I’m dreading the idea of having to give her back, but if she needs a quieter household, then I want to do what’s best for her. Another concern is that right now, their free range time is while I’m home alone but that is changing in two weeks when I go back to work full time. Free range time will be when my son and husband are home as well, so will involve more people and noise for sure.

Thanks for any suggestions on what to do to help Ms. Mila adjust to our space.  

 

[DanaNM]

Since you’ve only had her a week, sounds like she needs more time to settle in. Plus you went straight into bonding, which is stressful for buns, so she’s probably associating you with that.

I would start by making her cage a safe zone, and trying not to pet or disturb her when she’s in it. It also might help to restrict her area a bit at first so she feels safer.

I think the best way to bond with shy buns is to play hard to get. Feed her etc, but don’t try to pet it handle her yet. Lay on the floor and ignore her (read a book, etc). Let her explore at her own pace and she will warm up to you. Sounds like she’s already making progress.

I think it’s very good you’re pausing bonding. When one bun is very timid the settling in period is quite important!

. . . 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.  

[LittlePuffyTail]

I agree with Dana. Make her spot feel as safe and secure as possible. Bunnies need hidey spaces. An upside down box with a door and window cut in it works great. And restricting her area is a good idea. A wide open space is great but it can seem intimidating and scary to a new bunny.

Give her time. I’ve had bunnies need no adjusting time at all but one that truly didn’t feel comfortable and safe in my house until about a year after we rescued her.

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