My bunny is mad at me… But why?

[GigglyPuffBunny]

I got my velveteen Rex in April, she was about 8 months. Once she was about a year old I got her spayed. She is always very friendly and sweet, comes when I call her, has a huge cage, toys playtime ect. However, I just recently went to college and have been having a friend take care of her. She is litter trained so my friend just lets her run around her room, and she wanders into her cage to get food whenever she wants. My friend is not home very often and does not cuddle or spend quality time with her like I do. Every time I go over to visit she growls as me and lunges at me when i sit on the floor or if put my hand own to pet her.I went on break last week and got to bring her home and she is still upset with me. There has been no change in her food, hay, other animals around, and I’m confused. I’ve been siting with her and at some points she’ll love the attention and then she’ll do something that she hasn’t done in a while (before I got her spayed she had temper issues but after that she was sweet as can be)… She will now growl, bite, kick, and run away… What am I doing wrong? Is it just that she’s mad and wants attention? But when I give her attention she growls and runs away. What am I doing wrong? Shes not acting like herself. She just sits under my dresser all day now and never comes out to see me. 🙁 I just want her to be happy.

[LBJ10]

It could just be that she is grown up and also she is holding a bit of a grudge towards you for leaving her. Are you planning on having her with you now?

[Deleted User]

I do wonder – is it a grudge for leaving her? My Henry hates us rearranging/cleaning ‘his’ house, I couldn’t imagine how he would react being placed into another persons home/care? I used to think bunnies weren’t bright (sorry BBer’s, I know otherwise now – please don’t go crook at me). But they are (clever)! Henry is not bothered by any of us (dogs included) and yet my youngest son (21) (who actually bought him for me) comes home to refill his tummy and sleep – Henry reacts towards him like a stranger (runs and hides) in our home. He doesn’t know him. So yer, I seriously wonder???
Also, your bun is still young – has she adapted to how your friend is raising her?
I so wish I had the answer (if I did you’d be on a paid site, ha ha hah!), so can only offer you a suggestion (free – no refunds, lol!), if your keeping her back in your care permanently, start again. With time and a lot of patience show her all the love and affection you did and hopefully she will readjust and you’ll both be a happy couple again. All the best GigglyPuffBunny.

[Beka27]

It’s not realistic to not be providing day to day care and still expect affection when you come around. Bunnies aren’t like dogs that really “remember” a person when a bunch of time has passed.

What is the long-term plan for your rabbit? It sounds like you should either take full 24/7 custody and work on rebuilding your relationship… Or relinquish custody to your friend or another person who wants her.

[Sarita]

I agree with Beka – she’s not being mad at you – rabbits just don’t hold grudges. She just doesn’t really know you since you are not her daily caretaker.

[GigglyPuffBunny]

Ok, I am planning on getting my own place soon so I can have her with me all the time 🙂 I tried sneaking her into the dorms… Didn’t work… I guess that is the issue, she’s just upset hat I left. I guess she did remember when I accidentally cut her toe nail too short because she was fidgeting. 🙁 she didn’t let me hold her paw for a month. Thanks everyone! Being with (since I posted this) I’ve given her a lot of my time and she’s starting to forgive me. She’s acting like herself again. My mom is falling in love with her. She comes in and says that she’s making her a veggie salad and sits with her, so she’ll probably be a good substitute for me while I figure out my housing.
Hope everyone has a good holiday season!!!

[LBJ10]

When we went on vacation, my buns wanted nothing to do with me when we got home. They were pouting for awhile, it took them a few days to come around. Rabbits don’t hold grudges like people do, but they definitely give you the butt if they are upset. Like some of the others have suggested, it could also be because she has grown used to your friend taking care of her. But if she is warming up to you now, then I think you will be able to work on your relationship if you get a place soon where you can have her. Otherwise, you can’t expect to have a strong relationship with her if you’re going back and forth all the time. Plus it isn’t fair to her. I hope you get things worked out soon so that way you can spend time with her every day.

[Beka27]

I’m glad to hear this is just a temporary arrangement. Once things are settled, then it sounds like you two will have a great relationship.

[Jayze]

I think she might be angry! I’m in college as well and I had a friend babysit her while I was away on Thanksgiving Break. When I came back on Sunday, Gypsy would only come out to thump at me!! I bribed her with kale and she forgave me.

[bunbunlovers]

My buns must be little weirdos then, because I went on vacation for a few days and when I got back the buns were sweeter than before I left haha.

[bunbunlovers]

My buns must be little weirdos then, because I went on vacation for a few days and when I got back the buns were sweeter than before I left haha.

[Paty2433]

It might be that she might be angry at you for leaving her behind try making it up to her

[Jayze]

Posted By bunbunlovers on 12/04/2013 05:27 PM

My buns must be little weirdos then, because I went on vacation for a few days and when I got back the buns were sweeter than before I left haha.

Haha I can picture them: “Mom we’re so glad you’re home don’t EVER leave again we’ll be good I promise!”

[bunbunlovers]

Haha I wish

[NikitaSue20]

I know when my buns had to stay at a friends house because we were having the heat fixed I had to go over there everyday so that they wouldn’t forget me. If I skipped a day they would refuse to give me kisses.

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