Suddenly very shy and frightened bunny

[Ffionwillsx]

Hi all, I’d just like some reassurance on the behaviour of my little bun Lola.

When I rescued her she was extremely timid and shy initially, the first day I let her out of the pen she hid under the cabinet for three hours.
This behaviour soon changed and she became a very happy and inquisitive bunny.

When I initially bonded her with Oscar my original bun she came out of her shell even more – picking up on his confidence and traits I’m sure (he is very much people oriented).

Anyway they had a big fall out and were separated – Lola was a little more timid without Oscar but I do feel that she copied him. Where with Oscar I can pick him up and cuddle and play with Lola I will always sit on the floor and allow her to come to me before I pet her.

She was still very happy and would wiz around the living room on her times in there (loving the carpet)

Anyway, I have recently had surgery and so had to. Go home to stay with my mum and dad. Buns are still separated so tbh it’s been easier to keep them fully apart here than in my flat. We started prebonding and all was going okay until one day about ten days ago. Oscar escaped through the gate and there was a quick scuffle as I only allowed access when they were supervised I intervened very quickly however Lola bit me badly.

Since then I have given prebonding a break except for changing litter boxes.

Lola has now turned into this awfully frightened bunny – when I go into the room she runs to hide as soon as the door opens. I have to sit on the floor and wait quietly for her to come out. She occasionally lets me pet her but I have to be very still and quiet for her to allow me. Sometimes I get on the floor as I enter the room and edge closer but by bit so that she doesn’t fart (she does settle but you can see her ready to bolt) I then have to allow her to sniff me. Sometimes she will let me pet her after she’s sniffed but often she sits very still and ready to run. I don’t force her if she’s like this – I just speak quietly to her and offer her a treat. If she doesn’t take it from me as sometimes she is too scared to even do that, I will leave it for her on the ground and sit until she eats it.

I’m not sure what else to do, as I am going back to my flat shortly I would like to start the bonding process soon. If it doesn’t work out I will have to return Lola to the rescue for the sake and happiness of both bunnies however I don’t want to put her through more stress.

I’m not sure what the best thing to do is in order for her to be a little happier. I’m not sure if it’s the room she is being kept in is too quiet and so she gets spooked by a new noise or something. She was in the hallway which had more hustle and bustle but she kept escaping upstairs in the night which my mum wasn’t happy about and so we had to set her up in another room.

What do you think may have happened? What should I do to help the situation?

[DanaNM]

Hmmmm, the first thing that comes to mind is that she might have been injured in the fight, since her change was so dramatic.

Bunnies in pain will often be way more timid, as they are more vulnerable.

My first step would be to have a thorough exam at the vet, just to rule out anything. How long ago did she start acting this way? Certain injuries could just need more time to heal, others might need some treatment. Either way, it would be good to make sure before you attempt bonding them again.

I’m also wondering about their fall-out. Do you know what triggered it? Sometimes an underlying medical issue can cause a bond to break. So, it could all be related.

. . . 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.  

[Luna]

It’s hard to say since you, her, and Oscar have been staying with your parents because your buns perceive it as a new (and maybe even scary) place. A new place is definitely a variable that can affect individual behavior and bonding. Things might be more predictable/stable once you return to your flat. I would say give it some time when you all return home. Let them both settle in again, separately. Then, assuming their fight was a small scuffle and not a bad fight, consider restarting pre-bonding if you think it is ok.

[DanaNM]

I thought your name (and your buns names) sounded familiar, so I just went back and read your bonding thread, I remember the saga now.

Was there another scuffle during pre-bonding, aside from the one that broke the bond?

She could also have an issue completely un-related to bonding, like a dental issue. So yeah… making sure she’s healthy would be my first step.

. . . 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.  

[Ffionwillsx]

Well during the prebonding I’ve been swapping litter boxes, toys and sometimes living areas -even though Oscar is very troublesome in the small sitting room.
But mainly in the evening what I’ve been doing is allowing one access to the main living room and the other to the adjoining room with a NIC Cube gate between the door frame with garden mesh wrapped around. They had been good through this – having their dinner together either side and laying side by side through the gate. When Oscar pushed through the divider – they barely had a chance to scuffle as I had intervened instantly. Checked both buns over after the scuffle and the next day just to be sure and they were both fine.

Lola is still eating and pooping normally but I will take her to the vet to get checked out. We are going back to the flat this Monday and so I will book her in to be seen then.

This is just all so stressful

[DanaNM]

Yeah, sounds stressful, sorry you are having a tough go of it.

It could be that Lola is also just stressed by it all, as are you.

Maybe she (and you) just need a break from all pre-bonding etc. to let her relax a bit and allow you to bond with her a bit more?

. . . 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.  

[Ffionwillsx]

Just an update – we are back in the flat now and Lola is back to herself – crazy she comes up to see me and everything again now! So strange! But I am happy about it.

However I’m unsure what to do in regards to bonding both, they travelled back in a carrier together and all was fine – when I was setting them up in seperate rooms I didn’t put anything in front of the pen so Lola pushed her way out of her room and got into Oscar’s temporary pad in my room. Scuffle under the bed. This lasted for a minute – the LONGEST minute of my life. Then all of a sudden they must’ve stopped because Lola hopped out and Oscar stayed under the bed. (He is very territorial of the bed space – he will even go for me if I happen to invade this space)

Both buns are well and happy in themselves. I’m just wondering whether this bond will ever work. Now that they’re set up this mistake will not happen again it was only as I was back and forth sorting out toys/litter/water/hay etc.

Don’t know what’s best for both buns? This is the reason I’m getting so stressed – is it impossible?

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