What am I doing wrong?

[Librarian's Bun]

I am new here. I have a 13 month old bunny and I have had her since she was 6 months. I adopted her from a shelter where she was spayed before I got her. I am a school librarian and Kerra is a school bunny. I bring her home every night. I let her out in the room where her pen is and the living room. I used to let her out in the library every Friday. She loved hopping around the library! I stopped doing this because when it was time to go home she always ran from me. 

Kerra is not like the bunnies I read about on here. I have tried giving her treats to encourage her to be more social, but she usually won’t take them from me. She will interact with my son and my husband and usually ignores me. She is not interested in cuddling or being pet. I know she is social because when we were busy and she didn’t go to school or get to be with the family for a few days, she was nipping at my son’s feet and trying to get his attention.  

I took her to the lake house last weekend and she did some exploring. But these days at home she sits in one spot. Is my bunny bored? How can I stimulate her? (And get her to use her litter box again.)

[BbsBunny]

As my bun has gotten older, he chooses a spot he likes and sits there and stares at us. Maybe she is just comfortable at your house and wants to just relax. I don’t think it’s because she is bored.

[Sam and Lady's Human]

Most bunnies aren’t interested in cuddling, although some may accept grooming.
It sounds like a lot of to and fro and inconsistency in her life, which some buns tolerate well, but maybe she’s just not one of them.

But, for what its worth, my buns generally sit in one spot all day, sleeping. Its the bunny way. They get a couple hours a day of energy/exploring/ hopping around sometimes.

[Stickerbunny]

My buns mainly sit / lie down and stay there, then move to a new spot and stay there. Running around only happens when they are hyper, mainly early morning / late at night. Stickers was more active when she was younger, but she is mellowing as she grows. So it isn’t unusual.

As for liking attention more from son/hubby, if it makes you feel better my boyfriend gets more attention from my female too. She usually just runs from me. Lol

[Sarita]

Your bunny sounds perfectly normal. You aren’t doing anything wrong.

[Librarian's Bun]

 Thanks for your replies. I have read how intelligent rabbits are. And I know my bunny is smart. Being both a teacher and a mother, I had this tinge of guilt that maybe I’m not challenging her enough. 

Actually, thinking about all the inconsistencies in Kerra’s life, she handles it pretty well. I was starting to miss her mischevious side that she showed more when she was younger…. But last night right after I posted, she sneaked into my bedroom where she knows she isn’t supposed to be. LOL

[Elrohwen]

She sounds pretty normal to me. Both of mine will run to me for craisins, but only one actually enjoys being petted. The other will take the treat and then hop right out of petting range.

The older bunnies get, the more they like to sit around, but it doesn’t mean they’re bored. They also generally sleep the entire day, so it could be that you’re observing her during those times and not during her active time. I know if I try to hang out with my pair during the day, they completely ignore me, but after 9pm, they are all over the place.

[BinkyBunny]

Since you are noticing she is less social with you, and more so with your husband and son, I wonder if there could be a couple of things at play to consider.

1. You are the one that is transporting her/picking her up etc. She may see that as a negative since most bunnies don’t enjoy being picked up, even if they tolerate it well. I know it’s something you have to do, but maybe you could offer her a treat right after or during the picking her up.

2. Scents/smells can play a part in getting the ignored by a bunny. So think of some possible differences that you bring — cosmetics, shampoos, body lotions or perfumes? Also, not sure what the family duties are but if you do more cleaning and cooking then the scent of cleaner or food might be on your hands. I am sure you wash your hands, but even then, what is the scent of the hand wash? (NOT trying to be stereotypical here – sounds like I am thinking we women only wear make up, wash our hair, wash dishes and cook LOL!) Anyway. Just some thoughts to ponder.

Regarding litter training when moving to different location — try and keep a set-up someone the same — even if you have to create a base set-up in both places.  So her bed and litterbox are in the same place within a pen.  And then when you move her from one location to the next, don’t give her free time yet until she has had time to settle into her home base. 

Regarding giving her things to do — she is still rather young at only 13 months and it sounds like she does enjoy exploring. After she has settled into her home base, and you feel okay with letting her run about, get her boxes and/or tunnels to run about in.  And then switch it up every couple of days. Hide a treat somewhere in the boxes and tunnels.   This is enriching for her and will encourage her to exercise.  My bunnies who reached over 5 years old definitely slowed down, but a new box or tunnel always got their curiosity going.  Even now, Vivian who is around 10 now, blind in one eye and much less active always has to check out the new box or tunnel nearby. 

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