Buttercup acting strange

[sarahthegemini]

This morning Buttercup has been acting strange – She was fine when I first came downstairs, she didn’t rush to greet me but other than that she was okay. She devoured her fresh grass as normal. When I got back from taking partner to work, I started feeding her breakfast pellets (I hand feed them) She was happily munching away and suddenly became very alert? She kept nibbling then looking up suddenly as though she’d heard something. Then she’d run under the sideboard. Then she’d come back for a nibble,  then run off again. I think she stomped a few times too though not loud enough for Peanut to take notice. I’m confused as to what’s going on. I don’t think she feels safe and I’ve no idea why as nothing has changed. Help?

She just started nibbling again then got startled and jumped on her ramp. I spoke softly to her and she ran off scared and stomped again

All I can think of is there is an alarm going off somewhere, it’s very quiet (to my ears, I didn’t notice it at first) I wonder if it’s that?

[Bam]

It sounds like the spooky-phase. Adolescent dogs get it too, and ravens (probably other corvus birds as well, but it’s been studied rather extensively in ravens). They’re suddenly spooked by perfectly everyday things or sounds that they’ve never reacted to before. It’s a developmental stage. It has an evolutionary “aim” – the animal is no longer under strict supervision of the parents/family, so it must become very aware of its environment.

Here’s an article I found about the spooky phase in dogs. All of it doesn’t apply to rabbits, of course, but I think it explains the general principle very well:

http://dogcommunication.co.uk/wp2/index.php/2016/06/29/suddenly-spooked-secondary-fear-phase-in-adolescent-dogs/

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By bam on 12/23/2016 3:58 AM

It sounds like the spooky-phase. Adolescent dogs get it too, and ravens (probably other corvus birds as well, but it’s been studied rather extensively in ravens). They’re suddenly spooked by perfectly everyday things or sounds that they’ve never reacted to before. It’s a developmental stage. It has an evolutionary “aim” – the animal is no longer under strict supervision of the parents/family, so it must become very aware of its environment.

Here’s an article I found about the spooky phase in dogs. All of it doesn’t apply to rabbits, of course, but I think it explains the general principle very well:

http://dogcommunication.co.uk/wp2/index.php/2016/06/29/suddenly-spooked-secondary-fear-phase-in-adolescent-dogs/

That’s really interesting, I’ve never heard of that before. How bizarre! 

Strangely, as soon as the alarm stopped, Buttercup returned to normal Buttercup behaviour – I was filling up her hay and put the hay bag on the floor and she jumped right in the bag  That’s typical behaviour of hers! When I’d filled her hay up shortly before, she only sniffed at the bag which was very unlike her) Anyway, part way through her munching, the alarm started again and she started the nibbling then looking up very suddenly again. She’s now laying down with the noise still going 

[sarahthegemini]

Well I found out where the alarm sound was coming from – it wasn’t outside, it was from my partners computer  Still can’t work out what is making Buttercup act strange because she seemed fine after a while (alarm still going) and then freaked out again. The alarm is off now so we’ll see how she is for the rest of the day. 

[Jessica]

This is really interesting. Amelia has started similar behaviors. She had thumped for the first time earlier this week, but last night something really terrified her. I didn’t hear anything but she thumped about 4 times and panicked and hid behind the couch

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By Jessica on 12/23/2016 9:15 AM

This is really interesting. Amelia has started similar behaviors. She had thumped for the first time earlier this week, but last night something really terrified her. I didn’t hear anything but she thumped about 4 times and panicked and hid behind the couch

Something really spooked Buttercup the other day, she thumped for the first time and was terrified. I never found out what it was that scared her. As for today, well she’s pretty normal now and has been for the last few hours  but I’m keeping an eye on her for the rest of the etvening. 

[Jessica]

Yeah that’s how last night was, her eyes were so big and buggy looking. It happened right before bed so I partially covered her cage, and she’s been great today

[Jessica]

I hope she settles in soon. The strange behaviors are just spooky and unsettling

[sarahthegemini]

Unsettling for sure. She’s been okay since I last posted but had to pop out nd boyfriend said she was okay for the majority of the evening but then something startled her again, she stomped and ran under the sideboard. Apparently she came out as soon as he filled her grass up.

Bam – this spook phase, any idea how long it lasts? And if there’s anything I can do to help her feel safe? I can’t think what else it could be…

[Bam]

In dogs it lasts 3-8 weeks. I think this could be brought on/enhanced by her recent spay. Rabbits tend to become behaviorally weird for a while after a spay, and this behavioral weirdness lasts longer in girls than in boys.

I don’t think you need to do anything, just wait. Try to give her a calm environment.

[sarahthegemini]

Thank you Bam. As it happens, Buttercup was back to normal yesterday abd today she was very alert when eating her breakfast but didn’t run and hide. She laid down in the middle of the floor when she was finished munching

Peanut decided to stomp a bit yesterday for the first time – I think he was feeling irritable lol. He didn’t appear scared or anything, I think he was annoyed cos me and my boyfriend kept walking by him lol.

[Author]

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