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BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BEHAVIOR How can I help Happy?

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    • ArvadaLanee
      Participant
      44 posts Send Private Message

        I feel bad for Happy. I don’t feel comfortable letting her have the run of the house, because bunny-proofing would be impossible here. I have nine year old twin boys, who sometimes leave toys out, drop food, forget to close doors, and all the normal stuff little boys do. I also have 3 cats, a snake, a tarantula, and a boyfriend who can be as forgetful as the kids sometimes. Also, I admit, I am not the best housekeeper. Our place isn’t dirty, but it is almost always messy. I thought the best option would be to close off our living room with the playpen gate, and let her out in the living room every day. It has been a work in progress, as Happy seemed to always find a way to escape. I have had to cover spaces with boxes, the lids to a couple of bins, stuff blankets under the couch, build pillow walls around the arms of the couches, and all kinds of stuff, but I finally got it bunny-proof. The thing is, now Happy is making me feel bad about it! This morning she was wandering the edges of her space, and every time she realized I’d blocked off an escape route she’d thump. Then I had to put her away to go to the store, and when I got back, she didn’t even want to come out of her cage. She’s never done that before. She just laid there, staring at me. I had bought her some new toys, and new treats, so I tried to tempt her out, and she wouldn’t even take a treat from me. Eventually, all my cats heard me calling Happy, so they had to all come over and investigate, and two of them were even trying to get into the cage with her, so she gave in and hopped out. She hopped into the living room like a good girl, but she still wouldn’t take a treat from me, and she won’t touch her new toys, which she usually loves. She just circled the edges of her space to check for openings, and finding none, she went behind the chair and flopped over in defeat. I feel so bad that it is making her so upset to be stuck in one room, but it’s for her own safety. I tried giving her some blankets to dig in, and filled a little cardboard box with hay, and a few carrot shreds. I tried getting her to come out and practice her tricks. I feel like she’s sad. All she wants to do is keep checking the perimeters for escape routes, or hide behind her chair. It’s just so out of character for her. Should I be worried? Any ideas on how to cheer her up? Could she just be having a crabby day? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks fellow bunny lovers!


      • Azerane
        Moderator
        4688 posts Send Private Message

          Perhaps in exchange for taking away some of her escape routes, you can add a new element to the space she does have. Even if it’s just a cardboard box with some holes cut in the side, or a simple tunnel. Change up her current environment to keep it exciting. Rabbits can be pretty good at being pouty but they generally don’t hold a grudge for too long and I’m sure she’ll come around.

          Rabbits seem to be one of those immensely stubborn creatures that once they’ve seen or been somewhere, they feel they must always have access to it. It’s far better in that regard to have them blocked off from day 1 so that they don’t know what they’re missing


        • ArvadaLanee
          Participant
          44 posts Send Private Message

            Thanks for the tip. I think Happy has finally forgiven me. She had to spend more time in her cage the other day, because we were cleaning, and vacuuming, and moving stuff around. She was so excited when she finally got to come out. I have been trying to make her some new things to explore, and play with, and getting her a few new and different treats to try. I also tried bringing her in my room with the door closed, since there is nothing for her to get into in there, and it was a new space she could explore. I don’t think she likes my room much. It’s pretty boring, with nothing on the floor for a bunny to get into. Maybe that’s a good thing, though, as she seems more content now to sit in the living room and enjoy just hanging out again. I guess I just had to let her get over her anger. I’m just glad she wasn’t having any health issue, or anything like that. It was just a case of bunny pouting. She is such a sweet, loving, girl, that when she acts so differently, I worry something more could be wrong. I’m glad she got over it, and is back to her normal cute self.

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        Forum BEHAVIOR How can I help Happy?