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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Bunny has to go back to rescue. Help

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    • jespy1
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        Hi all. So I am wondering if I am doing the right thing here. I adopted a bunny from a rescue about 2 weeks ago and things are not going well. The rabbit at first was very scared and didn’t come out, and I knew with time that would change. Now that she is feeling more comfortable she is very aggressive and is growling at me and has been for about a week. She also has tried to bite me a few times. The lady that had her at the rescue let her live in her house with her one on one much like a foster situation. When I told the lady from the rescue about it she said that I could bring her back since things weren’t working out. She thinks maybe the bunny bonded to her and isn’t liking her new environment because the lady is not there. I am going to take back the bunny because I feel that it is best for her. But I feel really bad about it. I really wanted to adopt from a shelter and give a better life to her, but its very clear she doesn’t like it here. As days go on she gets more aggressive and I dont know why. I have done all of the people bonding recommendations, but she just gets more angry as days go by.

        Am I doing the right thing by taking her back to the foster home/ shelter? 

        Also I am going to get another bunny but I dont want the same thing to happen, would it be better to get a baby so it only bonds to me? 


      • MiNinoJack
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        226 posts Send Private Message

          It’s wonderful that you decided to rescue a bunny. There are so many that need homes and are abandoned every year. 

          Bonding with your bunny takes time! Most likely she is scared and uncomfortable in a new environment.The rescue I got my bun from advised it can take 4 – 6 months before a rabbit becomes settled in their new environment, but I’ve heard of it taking longer. 

          In my opinion, 2 weeks is too short of a time to make an informed decision. Also, most rabbits are not lap bunnies like a cat or some dogs. They very much need to control their space and how they interact with others. That has been the hardest part for me to learn. I need to let my Jack decide if he wants me to pet him or not. If I force it he will become frightened and then aggressive in order to protect himself.

          The first thing to do is to rule out any health issues – pain can cause aggressiveness. Is the rabbit neutered? What type of habitat have you set up? How much out time does the rabbit get and what do you feed him? Are there any other pets or small children? All of these things can play into an aggressive rabbit. 

          And your rabbit may very well be missing her former foster mom and is sad and scared about that. That will get better with time. 

          This article really helped me with my shy bun: http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/shybun.html

          And here is one on aggressive rabbits from the House Rabbit Society: http://rabbit.org/faq-aggression/


          And for an anecdotal quick story – it took just about a month for my bun to begin to relax. The first few weeks were really scary for him and me. I didn’t understand his behavior (I’m still learning!) and he hated my clumsiness (he still does). He spent a lot of his time hiding, or sleeping crouched in a ball. He would play, but avoid me for the most part. He was scared to jump on the couch (he’s small) or even run too fast. Finally after a month, I saw him flop and I knew everything would be ok. He know easily gets up and off of the couch, sleeps in all positions and interacts with me when he plays. 

          He still grunts at me sometimes when I feed him and occasionally boxes if I startle him by reaching into his area, but these things aren’t serious. He’s just communicating with me. I’m looking forward to the next few months to see him come out of his shell even more. 

          I would advise just keeping her fed, and in a clean space with the recommended 4-5 hours out time every day. When she’s out sit on the floor and read a book or watch TV or something and ignore (or at least pretend to) her. Eventually she’s going to get curious about you. And in time she will realize you cause her no harm. Do you have treats that she likes that you can bribe her with?

          I hope you reconsider returning your bun. She may just need more time to get to know you and your home. Good luck! 


        • Theodorusrex
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            I agree with MiNinoJack, I don’t have much to add but when I adopted my bun Theodore, it took at least 3 months for him to allow us to even pet his head. After 2 weeks, the same time you’ve had your bun, he wouldn’t let me or my fiance come near him really. The only time we could stroke him was when he was eating – and he bit me several times. He’s come round a lot over the months though – it just took patience and time.


          • MiNinoJack
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              I’ve also seen you posting about getting another rabbit. Keep all of this in mind if you’re getting another bunny. Rabbits need patience! Hope it all works out.


            • BikeBun
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              7 posts Send Private Message

                I’d also say give it time. The rabbit my partner and I had adopted was around 2 years old at the time of adoption. She had trouble getting along with the other rabbits the previous owner had. Given we had no pets, and given quite a bit of time she’s adapted really well to living in our home. Even so, she seemed weary of us for quite some time afterwards.

                It’s been nearly a year and even now I’m starting to see her feel more relaxed around us (she lounges[sprawls?] around in different places rather than just her cage and to the side of her cage when we let her out).


              • Sr. Melangell
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                  Yes give it time, it took Olly Weeks before he came out of his cage, you could open the door and let her come out on her own, don’t grab, sit back and she will come out, make sure its quiet and no little children or other animals about, sit far away from bunny in the room and read a book, let bunny explore and come to you, MiNinoJack said some bunnies are like dogs and cats that don’t like to be picked up, my Olly is one of those bunnies, take it slowly, don’t give up, I nearly did with Olly, but he is the best animal friend I have ever had and he has learned tricks like tell me when its my medicine time, he tells me when someone is at the door, yes he bit me a few times, is bunny spayed? It might help, but it still takes time for them to calm down, what I did was let Olly do what he wanted (As long as it was safe and not breaking anything) you could fasten an x-pen to the cage see if bunny will come out alone, but do not force bunny and when she does come out don’t scream with excitement, if bunny doesn’t like being picked up then that is bunny’s choice, you will be able to get on the floor next to her and stroke her, like I do with Olly, little treats are good too, tiny raisins, but not too many and stay calm, she has to get used to everything, 2 weeks is a very short time and she will be nervous still, but not to worry, the attacking is just like say or example we have grandma round and she wants to give you a kiss, you don’t want her to kiss you and its like. “Eww Grandma no.” And we push them away, but we still love grandma, your bunny loves you and she knows you love her, she just needs time, if she jumpss at you just ignore it, don’t tell her off, you could say calmly. “Oh dear.” And back away slowly, do this and she will show you so much love in the things she does, she may even give you a little kiss.


                • Rodstewartfoxybrown
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                    My Rod stewart came to us from a hoarding situation our Rescue shelter suggested we pretty much just leave him alone for about 15 days, visit regularly & drop food far enough so doesnt feel threatened. Give him a large penned area to run around & a dog crate in the corner with his box covered with a blanket so he has a hidding place. He didnt really peak his head for a week & would grunt & lunge forward, it was also suggested to place a TV or radio in the area with his. So after a month of PBS he slowly started coming out when teased with a cilantro or dandelion.
                    He still to this day does not like being petted or held some bunnies are like that, he grunts when taking too long in his space but the cuteness of his presence & knowing he is safe outweighs that I cant pet him or hold him. Its been almost 2 years & he is starting to hop to us when he hears us getting close to his room. Soft tone talking really helps, I also dropped tiny pieces of banana outside to lure him out for a few minutes etc…
                    It takes times, most rabbits are not cats. I have one of each a cuddler & a grunter.
                    If you decide to rehome & consider adopting another rabbit may I suggest finding a shelter that has rabbit volunteers who take them out of cage & are familiar with their temperament. Finding the right bunny takes patience & sometimes the wrong bunny melts your heart…..hope you give it a full month.


                  • Beka27
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                      If the offer is open to take her back, I might exercise that option, but give it another month or so. Let her chill out and come around on her own. Some buns really do take a long time to warm up to a new home.

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                  Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Bunny has to go back to rescue. Help