I’m worried he’s unhappy

[The Last Outlaw]

I wasn’t sure what forum to post this in, so let me know if there’s a better place for me to put it.

Anyway! I just made a big move, and I’m temporarily living with my parents in a new city until I can get settled into my own place. This isn’t the best place for my bunny, and I’m very worried that he’s unhappy, he’s definitely not as affectionate and social with me. I’m at work a lot of the time, and I have to consider my parents, which means he’s in his cage most of the time and the only place I can let him out is in my room for brief intervals. He usually goes straight under the bed which is where my parents store a lot of random stuff, I worry he’s under there chewing stuff up or peeing or something. He’s also been shedding a ridiculous amount, which may be a seasonal thing- he was a baby this time a year ago, but I worry he’s grooming himself excessively because he’s bored. What kind of things can I do with my limited amount of space and schedule to keep him happy, healthy, engaged and keep our bond strong? Any ideas please! I feel so guilty and like I’m the worst rabbit mom ever

[LongEaredLions]

How big is his cage? I would perhaps get some interactive toys, like a cat treat ball or a puzzle game, such as the teach n treat. I would also block off the bed, you don’t want him chewing on something down there the could hurt him. You can make lots of homemade toys to keep him occupied. You could also leave the television or radio on for him very quietly when you are gone. When you are home, give him treats and cuddles, and play with him.
Shedding is seasonal, rabbits shed in heavy molts about twice a year.

[MK]

Hi, about your bun being less affectionate, he might just be stressed. is he in a quiet place? and i agree with Longearedlions, some toys would help.

[Beka27]

He may be upset or annoyed with the new place and reduced exercise time, but please PLEASE do not feel bad. This is a temporary situation and you’re doing what you can under the circumstances. It’s not ideal (I’m sure you miss having your own space too!) but try to think positively! Your parents are very kind letting you stay there until you’re settled, and pretty soon you’ll be in your own place!

[The Last Outlaw]

I fear the situation may be worse than I thought. Today I went and got him a leash and harness, thinking that would help him get more exercise and that the training would strengthen our bond. Now I feel worse than before. I took him out on the porch, put the harness on and let him have free roam of the porch. He slipped the harness and went straight under the couch. I had to wait awhile before he would come out so I could block it off. He hopped by me a few times but wouldn’t stop to say hello like usual and wouldn’t let me pet him. He wouldn’t take any treats from me (to be fair they weren’t very good treats, all I had on hand were some dry carrots and oats, which he’s never had), mostly he just laid down on the farthest corner of the porch out of eyeshot. He acted the same even after I took of the harness. He wouldn’t let me get near/stay near him long enough to remove the harness. I ended up having to pick him up. He’s never minded being picked up or held and still doesn’t. I feel like I need to completely re bond with him and don’t even know where to start! I’ve had him since he was a baby and he’s always had a big personality- friendly, outgoing, fearless and bold to the point of being a bit of a brat. I even saw him startle a few times which is so out of character. He just wants to hide under things, he wants nothing to do with me! What do I do??

(I may make this a new topic since I’ve got some new problems to add and this thread doesn’t seem to be getting much attention)

[The Last Outlaw]

He’s never been interested in toys. He’ll throw his food and water bowl around, but not stacking cups or empty tupperware. Antique dictionary or important paperwork? Absolutely! Phone book or newspaper? Not interested. He’ll chew baseboards or furniture but not chew toys. I’ve attributed this to him being mischievous and thought his way of playing was simply running, jumping, and exploring. Now I’m questioning whether that’s normal. Before, we interacted through petting, nose rubs, leg circling, I’d hold him, or I’d run off and he’d chase me and vice versa. This is no longer the case. He’ll still let me hold him and love on him, but it’s like he’s tolerating it. He rarely gives Eskimo kisses or comes over to see me.

[Beka27]

Is he young? He may be outgrowing the baby stage where they become more independent… And has he been neutered? The moodiness might be hormones. You also mentioned he’s shedding. That can put them in a funk as well.

[rupert murdoch]

I would recommend getting a clicker to train him with. I know you probably don’t feel as though he needs to be trained or anything, and I’m sure he doesn’t, but this is a really good bonding experience that is bolstered with positive reinforcement. You just start by taking a few of his pellets and holding them up so he has to stand on his hind legs to get the food. He comes up to eat, you click, and he gets food. He’s happy you’re feeding him and he’s starting to associate that clicking noise with yummy food, and with you. I think the stress he is feeling is understandable based on the new changes in his life, and you shouldn’t worry or beat yourself up because it is temporary! Clicker training might be a nice way to spend one on one time that is positive for the time being.

My bunny has never cared one bit about toys, but the clicker training has actually made him love toys. I got a little baby toy car, a plastic slinky, and plastic baby keys for him. I would kinda just rub banana on them (drives him nuts) so that he wasn’t getting a sugar overload but it was enough to keep him coming back. I would click every time he would interact with the toys. Now I come home and he’s already playing with them. I think some buns just don’t really care for or understand toys? Oh and I also bought a cat tunnel- all buns love tunnels. And I give him his food in a dog treat ball now. He has to roll it around to eat and he also just plays with it on his own.

I guess it kind of seems like conning your bun into having fun but mine is definitely a happier and more mentally stimulated fellow now that he has learned how to get his energy out in a healthy way.

Here’s a good video for clicker training rabbits- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbxxCBIBjJc … it’s really cute and it’s what inspired me to do this. There are tons of videos of these bunnies. They are super advanced.

Just for the record- my clicker training with Rupert probably isn’t being done the proper way but at this point we don’t really care, we’re just having fun and learning new tricks.

[Cookie is #1]

Hi,

These are just some things that I would do if I were you. Give your bunny some time to adjust to his new surrounding. Give him some space. You want him to seek your affection. Act like he is a new bunny who just entered your household. Try not to startle him and be gentle. Don’t put a harness on him, at least for now. He might need some space. Harnesses can sometimes stress a rabbit out, and if your rabbit is still a little stressed from the move, you don’t want to add any more stress. Regain the bond between you and your rabbit step by step. I would recommend that you sit on the floor on the other side of the room your rabbit is in. Eventually, he will come up to and check you out. He might not come up to you until a while has passed, so kill the time by getting some work done, read a book etc… If your rabbit comes up to you, don’t pet him. Let him go about checking you out and sniffing you. Once your rabbit has become a little comfortable with you again, which might take several bonding sessions with him, try to pet him gently. In these bonding sessions maybe hold a yummy treat out. Like a fresh piece of fruit. My rabbit’s personal favorite is apple. Remember only to give him a small amount. Again, don’t be pushy about petting or getting your rabbit to come up to you. That will just make him not want to come up to you at all. A good sitting position is by sitting with your feet stretched out in front of you. Once he has adjusted to you again he might enjoy hopping and sniffing your legs. As for toys, my rabbit has never found interest in toys, unless they had a treat or hay in it. So I hope I was a little helpful. This is just my personal opinion on what you should do. He might be acting like this because of his hormones kicking in. Anyways good luck!

[The Last Outlaw]

He’s a year and three months now. He was neutered in December. Come to think of it, I was so busy after his surgery with holidays and moving right after, and I’m sure he was equally pre-occupied with traveling for the holidays, the constant changes as I was packing up, and the move itself that neither of us has adjusted to the hormonal and behavioral changes from the neutering. The vet also told me that it could be months before his hormones evened out.

[The Last Outlaw]

The clicker training is a really great idea! I’m definitely going to try it. Thanks for all the ideas and support!

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