when to move the bunny

[Rex]

My poor bunny has been through a lot these past few months. I was commuting a couple times a week between houses for my temp work contract and at first brought the bunny with me back and forth on advice from a bunny rescue volunteer and what worked for her bunny in a similar situation. About 3 months ago it was clear that despite having free range and his own room, the commute was just becoming too stressful so I left him with my husband and family full time. Only thing us he doesn’t get to roam around here due to very, very not rabbit proofed rooms plus predatory animals. Well, hubby and.I bought a house and are officially moving in this weekend. Then we are leaving on vacation in two weeks for three weeks. We have a lot of painting left to do, but can hopefully finish in a week. I really want to bring coffeebean over, but don’t want to stress him out.

I don’t think the paint fumes will be good for him, so we won’t bring him this weekend for sure. Should we bring him for a few days and then move him back to my parents’, or just wait to bring him home when we get back from visiting my brother? I’m thinking that the paint fumes should be negligible after 24 hours, so I’m leaning toward moving him asap.

[Sarita]

I think I would wait even though that would be hard. The back and forth will be stressful for you too. Can you look into low VOC paint too?

[Rex]

The paint is either low or no VOC, and doesn’t have much smell, but I figure bunnies are a lot more sensitive to it. We are painting the whole house, so it is a lot.

[BinkyBunny]

Posted By Rex on 06/08/2012 05:08 PM

Well, hubby and.I bought a house and are officially moving in this weekend. Then we are leaving on vacation in two weeks for three weeks. We have a lot of painting left to do, but can hopefully finish in a week. I really want to bring coffeebean over, but don’t want to stress him out.

I don’t think the paint fumes will be good for him, so we won’t bring him this weekend for sure. Should we bring him for a few days and then move him back to my parents’, or just wait to bring him home when we get back from visiting my brother? I’m thinking that the paint fumes should be negligible after 24 hours, so I’m leaning toward moving him asap.

Some bunnies are easy-going and may not have a problem with commuting back and forth, which is why the volunteer may have suggested it, but as you have found out, not all bunnies are thrilled with it, and in some cases it can cause serious stress and digestive issues.  If your bunny leans towards being a nervous-norvis then I would say just move coffeebean when you are there permanently.  HOWEVER, if your brother’s place is also a bit stressful — other predatory animals, etc, then I’d say you’d only be trading stressors and if one is a little less than the other, then go for it.  However, if your bunny is able to feel settled for a bit, even if there is some confinement for a few weeks, but it’s still less stress, then just move him over when he can actually settle in and not be moved again. 

[Rex]

He doesn’t get bothered by the animals while in his condo, but he never really gets out except for time in a large x-pen against a wall. It’s hard to see him confined to a cage I love that he is my free range house bunny. I can’t wait to get him settled so he gets back to lounging wherever he wants. I guess I’ll have to see how long before we travel once the house is ready. *sigh* I want my house bunny back.

[BinkyBunny]

Posted By Rex on 06/08/2012 10:54 PM

…. I guess I’ll have to see how long before we travel once the house is ready. *sigh* I want my house bunny back.

Yeah, that makes sense….and I’m sorry, I know I would feel the same way.  But it will happen and things will be back to an even better new normal.  So something to look forward to, if you decide to hold off bringing coffeebean over. 

Out of curiosity, what was going on with her that made you decide she was not into commuting (NOT abnormal!). I know most of my bunnies in the past HATED to travel — really freaked them out.  They wouldn’t even take a favorite treat during travel or for about 20 minutes after. 

[Rex]

He always hated the drive (100 miles), but he started to avoid his carrier which was always out so he could hang out in it. Then he started avoiding me . When he started running away from me and hiding in the corner of his condo everyday instead of running up to me, I realized the commute was too hard on him. We only commuted twice a week, but he clearly didn’t want anything to do with me any day. Around that time he also became destructive with the carpet, which he never did before. My landlord was thrilled about that . (Sad thing is the carpet is WAY past its prime and she is patching it instead of replacing it, even though I offered to recarpet the room).

[Author]

Messages