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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BEHAVIOR Something Going Wrong

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    • DesertBunny
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        I posted once before and no one answered. It seems to be getting worse.

        This is my fourth rabbit and have never seen one behave like this.

        Adopted him a month ago from a shelter. Posted his pictures and info elsewhere. He’s 14 months old and has lived in two places: the Humane Society and at the Shelter where I adopted him.

        When we “met” it seemed like a match. I HELD him for a good 1.5 hours at the shelter and he snuggled with me the whole time.

        When we got home the trouble started.

        He has a “go to” place, a mini-maze with a long “run” extension (a 4′ long 12×12″ cardboard box). All the usual  stuff is there. Lots of toys, food, etc. Like I said, this is my fourth.

        I noticed right away he’s very sensitive to lights and sound, so I dimmed the kitchen lighting and have been very quiet when I’m around him. When I’m gone I leave a radio on for him (and the birds) so it isn’t stone quiet. (Classical music!).

        We seemed to be doing okay but he is VERY much a night time bunny. Stays in his maze all day except to come out for nibbles now and then.

        It seems he has backed off on the holding thing so I did too. Keeping all contact at ground level. I started rewarding him for things like letting me pet him and just general positive socialization behavior. The “reward” is dandelion greens, which he takes from my hand.

        However he’s still very skittish about being approached and some sounds (like the microwave chime, a/c keypad tones or the crinkling sound of a plastic bag) really freaks him out.

        Today I was standing at the kitchen sink doing nothing really and I heard a sound. Turned around and looked. He ran down to his litter pan, jumped in; I could see he was scared; then he almost flew back across the kitchen knocking things all over the place. Went in his cardboard run and started thumping! I KNOW that means he is terrified. But of what????? He wouldn’t take any greens so I just talked to him and then let him be.

        Looked inside his maze to see if there was a problem and found nothing except his destroyed seagrass mats. ….

        That was this morning. During the day he seemed to be returning to normal and started taking food from me again. Now he’s back in his maze like nothing ever happened.

        He plays in the (fairly dark) living room at night and has a great time; running, jumping, binkies, exploring and everything. So I am at a loss to know what is happening.

        I wondered about removing his maze so he has to be out in the open but everyone always says don’t make any changes. Especially when he’s so new. At the shelter the bunnies live in small pens (not cages) so it is a change from him. But I watch his behavior in the kitchen and he seems to have that mastered. He “told” me where to put the litter box. I had it near all his other stuff and HE wanted it way down at the other end of the kitchen. Smart???? 

        Is he just a high strung, scared bunny or what???


      • BanditCamp
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          Sounds like too much environment possibly? I would try and restrict him and slowly expand out. I talk to bandit whenever I’m doing something new or loud that might scare him.


        • DesertBunny
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            This evening I actually had to cook (microwave actually) and use the stove top and he was again scared! I talked the whole time while moving slowly and trying not to upset him.

            He withdrew but now he’s coming out of it and munching hay.

            I did so some research about bunnies and light. I have been keeping the kitchen pretty low (lighting) and am thinking about brightening it up a bit. I read that while bunnies have good vision at low light levels, the imagery they see isn’t sharp like our vision. It is grainy. When he first arrived I dimmed the lighting because I thought it might be too overpowering for him. Just as a point of reference the main kitchen lighting is a two-tube fluorescent ceiling light so it’s no glaring bright search light. I know the birds have been less than happy with the newer, subdued atmosphere.


          • Bam
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              They can take a long time to come around. My Bam needed a whole year. I don’t know his history, because I found him in the woods. He basically just sat under the coffea table for a whole year before he warmed up to us.

              They do hear a lot better than we, so thumping “for no reason” can have reasons we can’t understand. Their sense of smell is also way more acute than ours, of course. We have had stories here before about bunnies that hate when the humans are cooking, esp meat, and that avoid the kitchen.


            • DesertBunny
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                Wow you found a bunny in the woods? How did you catch him or was it pretty easy? I know there was  terrible incident here a few years ago where some ——- dumped a bunch of bunnies out at Lake Pleasant. Many of them drowned because when people tried to save them, they panicked.

                My bunny went into anti social behavior again this evening.  Something really flipped in him from yesterday. I have removed the auxiliary long run from his housing arrangement, leaving him with the mini maze where he spends the bulk of his time. He was quite curious while I was removing it and of course ran around inspecting when I was finished. And again now he’s eating so at least I don’t have any issues there.

                The thumping thing really scared me today because I have heard that bunnies can injure themselves if they thump too hard. And he was thumping  in the section of maze I removed.

                Fortunately for cooking I an mostly vegan so there’s no odor of steak filling the kitchen. I’m even self conscious when I have chicken because of the birds   !!!!!! but they don’t get  perturbed.

                I think I will try going back to  a regular lighting scheme tomorrow. It would be more like what the had at the shelter. Otherwise I will keep tip toeing around and see what he does.


              • sarahthegemini
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                  I don’t think a month is that long, it can take a lot longer for them to feel comfortable. I’ve had my little Peanut for 5 months now and he is a very noise sensitive bun – like yours, crinkling something too loudly can startle him. When he doesn’t like something, he hides out under the sideboard until the noise stops. He also doesn’t like the oven. I think the smells from cooking scare him. Whereas Buttercup doesn’t bat an eyelid, even the first time we used the blender,  she didn’t look up from her hay lol.


                • DesertBunny
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                    Maybe that is it. I was completely amazed by his change in behavior from the center to home. It bothers me to see him scared when I don’t even know what caused it. I do know he hears EVERYTHING. My last bunny was a Holland lop and his hearing wasn’t that great so nothing bothered him.

                    Kind of odd…. I have a cuckoo clock and when it arms before going off, it makes a tiny little “thunk” that if you heard, you probably wouldn’t even notice…. He really doesn’t like that. But when the bird comes out and screams “cuckoo” over and over; that doesn’t phase him at all!

                    Last night after a terrible day, he came running into the living room and did all his binkies and hops just like every day. He let me pet him and snuggled next to me like nothing had gone wrong all day. Wow! This is going to take some getting used to for both of us!


                  • Wick & Fable
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                      I would try your best to comfort him when you get the chance after a noise scare, this way he can associate that noise with comfort. This could be especially helpful with regular sounds in he environment.

                      For example, my refrigerator makes ice and it will drop into a bin after it’s done. This is an ongoing noise in my apartment and used to scare Wick whenever it’d happen. Each time he’d go run somewhere after hearing it, I’d comfort him a bit then go back on my merry way. After a while, he doesn’t flinch anymore when hearing the sound.

                      The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.


                    • DesertBunny
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                        I am trying to use soft words and dandelion greens. Sometimes he won’t eat them initially but within a few minutes they magically disappear. Out of all the noises I thought would really freak him out, the vacuum cleaner isn’t one. Try and figure that one out! It’s loud and noisy but he doesn’t mind it. But let the microwave “ding” or yes – trying to break loose an ice cube and BAM. It’s the end of the world!


                      • sarahthegemini
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                          Posted By DesertBunny on 4/04/2017 11:03 AM

                          Maybe that is it. I was completely amazed by his change in behavior from the center to home. It bothers me to see him scared when I don’t even know what caused it. I do know he hears EVERYTHING. My last bunny was a Holland lop and his hearing wasn’t that great so nothing bothered him.

                          Kind of odd…. I have a cuckoo clock and when it arms before going off, it makes a tiny little “thunk” that if you heard, you probably wouldn’t even notice…. He really doesn’t like that. But when the bird comes out and screams “cuckoo” over and over; that doesn’t phase him at all!

                          Last night after a terrible day, he came running into the living room and did all his binkies and hops just like every day. He let me pet him and snuggled next to me like nothing had gone wrong all day. Wow! This is going to take some getting used to for both of us!

                          It’s strange isn’t it – I have to do nebulisers daily and it is noisy and Peanut is fine with that but then rustle a bag of crisps too loudly or knock a cup whilst making a cup of tea and he gets startled lol. 


                        • DesertBunny
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                            He is very sneaky. He wants me to think he stays in his maze all day but if I leave out some papaya or a sprig of veggies it mysteriously disappears. Don’t even get me started on the noises that either bother him or he could care less. Today he seems to be on an even keel and nothing is stressing him The seagrass mat in his maze is all pulled up and I see little pieces all over the place. So he’s not just sleeping!

                            Oh and he loves to snort and lunge at me. Usually when I am offering him a treat; I think he’s excited. Like him thinking “Just give it to me!” The snort (or grunt?) is the cutest sound I have ever heard a rabbit make. Or he will lunge and snort and then lower his head and let me pet him!


                          • Yilina
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                              Hi there! I understand your concerns perfectly. It’s heartbreaking to see that our bunnies are under stress and scared and not knowing what to do or why this is happening.

                              I share what the other BB members said: 1 months isn’t much. Especially if there has been a big change in his environment (from a shelter to a home).

                              In my bunnie’s case, for example, he trembled/shakef non-stop (literally 24/7) for the first month he was with us. His former owner had many cats and dogs, and Tambor was terrified. It wss heartbreaking. No matter what we did, he wouldn’t stop trembling. The second month, though, he would tremble half the day only. Now, 4 months later, he only does it when he’s in his cage.

                              You said you’ve had bunnies before, but every bun is different and they can react in diverse ways. I’m sure that, with time, he’ll start to feel more comfortable.


                            • Jellie
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                                I’m not a bunny expert. But your bunnys behavior reminds me of when I first got my dog. Some animals are just what I call “a $*&! ass.” They’re always getting into $*&!, up to something, selective hearing, just generally difficult.

                                Now I love my Boy, but it took us several years to come to an understanding. I just had to have patience and spend lots of time reading and trying to realize he’s an animal and I have to communicate in his way, not mine.

                                I know it’s hard when it feels like your little fur baby you love so much, and try so hard with isn’t responding. But it takes time and commitment.

                                It sounds like you’ve already made some progress with what seems to be a very particular Bun. I’m glad you haven’t given up. And I know your hard work will pay off with an awesome friendship.

                                When I’m about to do something loud or weird, I announce it to my bun. It also helped with my dog.

                                I’ll say “Bun, I’m going to do X” and then start the washer or turn on the radio.

                                He knows when I’m talking to him, and I think he’s already learned his name so they catch on fast.

                                You’re doing a good job. Just keep it up.


                              • sarahthegemini
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                                  Posted By Jellie on 4/04/2017 2:05 PM

                                  I’m not a bunny expert. But your bunnys behavior reminds me of when I first got my dog. Some animals are just what I call “a $*&! ass.” They’re always getting into $*&!, up to something, selective hearing, just generally difficult.

                                  Now I love my Boy, but it took us several years to come to an understanding. I just had to have patience and spend lots of time reading and trying to realize he’s an animal and I have to communicate in his way, not mine.

                                  I know it’s hard when it feels like your little fur baby you love so much, and try so hard with isn’t responding. But it takes time and commitment.

                                  It sounds like you’ve already made some progress with what seems to be a very particular Bun. I’m glad you haven’t given up. And I know your hard work will pay off with an awesome friendship.

                                  When I’m about to do something loud or weird, I announce it to my bun. It also helped with my dog.

                                  I’ll say “Bun, I’m going to do X” and then start the washer or turn on the radio.

                                  He knows when I’m talking to him, and I think he’s already learned his name so they catch on fast.

                                  You’re doing a good job. Just keep it up.

                                  You may be into something there. Whenever I’m about to do my nebulisers, I always announce “it’s gunna get noisy buns” Maybe we should just announce whenever we’re going to do something they might disapprove of?!  I’ll try it…


                                • DesertBunny
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                                    One person at the shelter told me to pen him in. That he has too much free space. I don’t see how that can be a problem. When I watched all the bunnies at the adoption day, a great number of them circled their pens looking out. It broke my heart because I know they didn’t understand why they are confined. I don’t think the extra free space is the problem. He has the kitchen mastered. He told me where he wants the litter box. He knows where “his corner” is with all his bunny stuff. And he marches into the living room like he owns it.

                                    That being said, seeing him suddenly go into fear mode stresses me as much as it does him. Especially when I don’t know what happened to cause it. I think penning him up now would be very detrimental. I’d have to move his litter pan inside any penned area. He already knows where everything is. So why change it. I did reluctantly remove the long cardboard run he had but his house is untouched. It has been his hidey place since he arrived and taking that away would really upset him. I say that because at the shelter they all sleep in the open with little cover inside their pens. So now he must think he’s living in a five star hotel.


                                  • sarahthegemini
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                                      Posted By DesertBunny on 4/04/2017 2:13 PM

                                      One person at the shelter told me to pen him in. That he has too much free space. I don’t see how that can be a problem. When I watched all the bunnies at the adoption day, a great number of them circled their pens looking out. It broke my heart because I know they didn’t understand why they are confined. I don’t think the extra free space is the problem. He has the kitchen mastered. He told me where he wants the litter box. He knows where “his corner” is with all his bunny stuff. And he marches into the living room like he owns it.

                                      That being said, seeing him suddenly go into fear mode stresses me as much as it does him. Especially when I don’t know what happened to cause it. I think penning him up now would be very detrimental. I’d have to move his litter pan inside any penned area. He already knows where everything is. So why change it. I did reluctantly remove the long cardboard run he had but his house is untouched. It has been his hidey place since he arrived and taking that away would really upset him. I say that because at the shelter they all sleep in the open with little cover inside their pens. So now he must think he’s living in a five star hotel.

                                      That does seem a bit strange! I’d just make sure there’s lots of places he can hide. I don’t think limiting his space would help. How odd. 


                                    • DesertBunny
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                                        A nasty turn. Came home and tried to whip up some quick dinner (No red meat or smells of cooked animals!) and he went berserk. I thought it was noise but now I wonder if it’s the smells? I may go back to lighting an incense cone before I start the food prep.


                                      • Wick & Fable
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                                          Has he explored your kitchen much? If he allows it, maybe carry him and just walk him through the kitchen while petting him so he can feel more at ease with the area. Perhaps if he feels comfortable there, he’d be less likely to spazz about things that may happen over there. I gave Wick daily walk arounds of my apartment and he seems to have received it well.

                                          The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.


                                        • DesertBunny
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                                            Yes. He is housed in the kitchen because there is no carpet. His litter pan(s) are at one end and his little bunny domain is at the other. So he roams all over that room. And I have seen him exploring everything. I was very slow and quiet while getting things ready and BAM! He took off running and sliding across the floor. Ran into his new hidey hole box and started thumping.

                                            So all I can think of is smell….. It CAN’T be noise because I was so careful. Maybe incense will cover up any scary odors? Either that or I am going to end up getting VERY thin!

                                            Never a problem at breakfast because it’s usually cereal or a bagel.

                                            He was outside his house when this latest event took place, whereas in the morning he is in his hidey hole. He even sailed through the vacuum cleaner today with no problem and it is very loud. So I am really confused.


                                          • sarahthegemini
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                                              It could definitely be smell. I think that’s a contributing factor for Peanut’s behaviour. 


                                            • Azerane
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                                                Some rabbits can spook at almost anything. My bridge bunny Bandit was a very adventurous and confident rabbit. Yes the rustle of a thin plastic bag would send him running as would the smell and sounds of cooking. He would hide and thump the whole time I was cooking. It’s normal I think for bunnies to be scared of cooking, there’s not only the popping and bubblings sounds etc but also the smells, especially if cooking meat. Bandit never got used to the cooking sounds, my pair Apollo and Luna while a little frightened seem to cope a little better, possibly because they have each other.

                                                Some sounds they will get used to over time and learn not to be scared of, others for some reason even when they present no danger will always be scary to them.


                                              • DesertBunny
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                                                  What about this then?

                                                  I have the radio playing to help with noises that might scare him. However it is classical music so it’s not overpowering. I know he has very keen hearing; unlike my last who was a Holland Lop and had the functional use of only one ear. So that’s about as good as I can cover the sound thing.

                                                  Regarding cooking smells …. Even though all of my so-called “cooking” is canned stuff, and no red meat or really any significant animal proteins, what if I burned incense while preparing dinner? I tried looking online about this and there’s not a lot of information. I used to burn incense with Jet (my Holland Lop) and never even thought about any harmful effects. It wasn’t like a Chinese Opium den or anything !!! Just a cone here and there.

                                                  Online articles are mostly centered around air fresheners (which can emit continuous odors) and cleaning chemicals (Simple Green really has a toxic odor to it) as do a lot of bathroom cleaners. Incense and votive candles don’t get a lot of mention. I have votives and burn them but there’s not a lot of fragrance.

                                                  That’s why I wondered about incense.

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                                              Forum BEHAVIOR Something Going Wrong