Was getting confident.. now nervous again

[Dylan]

 I got my house bunny Dylan yesterday (He’s 8 weeks old male lionhead) , on arrival he was understandably very distressed and just didn’t want to move, i and my girlfriend stroked his head a little and reassured him, placed him in his room where his cage is and he slowly started to relax and explore. By evening he was thoroughly investigating every nook and cranny, eating like a horse, and just generally setlling nicely, i left his cage door open and he would enter and leave as he pleased, spending more time out than in.

 

When it came time for me to go to bed i closed his cage doors once he’d hopped in  and he was trying very hard to get out again for at least 30-45mins i felt terrible! But he settled eventually.

 

In the morning i opened his cage first thing and he hopped out withing a minute or so and had a great run around, ate some pellets from my hand (He’s very nervous and i didnt expect this) He even jumped on my back! So i left him later that morning for the day with the run of my flat (spare room where his cage is and the hallway) Obviously with his cage doors open.

 

When i came home this eve he’s like a different rabbit! He stayed out of his cage briefly at first  and i spent some time with him just siting on the floor encouraging him to come to me. The rest of the evening he’s been cowering in his cage! he keeps hiding, if i make the slightest movement or go anywhere remotely near his cage, and doesn’t come out to explore anymore I don’t think i have done anything to scare him, i don’t attempt to stroke him let alone pick him up yet as he’s still quite nervous. This is my first bunny and i just don’t know what to do, i really want to spend some time with him and let him get used to running around me but today he seems more nervous of me than when he first arrived yesterday!

I have just left him be but he still didn’t come out of his cage so i just shut the doors again If he doesn’t come out tomorrow i’ll be worried he won’t get used to me for a looong time at this rate

[Sarita]

Well it can take awhile – 2 days is not nearly enough time for you to gain his trust.

Just be patient and keep doing what you are doing – don’t get discouraged and feel like he won’t ever get used to you. Just try to see if from his point of view :~)

Rabbits cages are their safe haven and at this point I would just let him settle in – he is in sensory overload.

Maybe next week if he doesn’t come out you can pick him and put him out.

[Sarita]

Also forgot to mention – try to keep his schedule on a routine so he knows what to expect when – rabbits like that.

[Baxter n Boos Mom]

Yes – as Sarita said, it will probably just take time. My 1st bun adjusted within a couple days – but my second bun took months before he was comfortable with us. Each bun is different – and you just have to give him time to get to know you, and learn to trust you.

Continue spending time on the floor – feeding him by hand, and just letting him come to you.

[Dylan]

He just came out after i’d wrote that and given up hope of seeing him this eve (Typical) and was back to his usual self, jumped and sat on the back of my legs as i lay down

Unfortunately he likes leaving his droppings outside his cage on the carpet -_- i keep putting them into his litter to give him the idea, he is urinating in there at least.

[Author]

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