Bunny running away from me. HELP!!

[kittlys]

I’ve owned my bunny for about 11 days now and she loved to be near me and always was excited to see me. She was really happy especially when I let her out into the bunny proofed play room. She always ran around and sat in my lap by herself. Then as I tried to reach something in the play room while she was in it. I fell down pretty hard and it made a very loud noise and I brought some big objects down with me which made a loud noise as well. I fixed the small mess (nothing broke) and now my bunny won’t come near me! She’s thumping her feet and running away from me! She keeps hiding under things and I’m super sad that she won’t let me be near her! I have left her alone for a couple of hours and tried again but nothing changed. It’s only been a few hours but I need to take her back to her cage and I can’t get near her to pick her up when I need to! She used to let me pick her up and put her anywhere. She allowed me to pet her a few times and I tried offering food (which she took but she didnt like it so she put it down). She’s still running from me and seems scared! Help!!!!!! What can I do? I’m very worried she won’t like me for awhile and will be stressed everytime I give her food or water!

[Wick & Fable]

Thumping means a rabbit feels endangered. These things may happen, especially since it’s a new environment and connections are being made. You need to remind your rabbit you’re a safe space and person so I suggest hand feeding pellets to build the trust again. If anything, don’t approach on you’re own and the fear may dissipate over time as long as you don’t do anything that is perceived as an attack, like making sudden loud noises or movements towards the head.

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.

[Scarlet]

If putting her back right away is a matter of her health over your comfort then you might have to pick her up and cradle her. If you can get near enough to pet and soothe it can really help them sometimes. I’ve noticed with mine if they get scared they don’t realize contact can be good and okay.

[caillou]

Something that worked for my bunny at first when he was very scared but I had to pick him up to put him away was I would take a blanket and put it on top of him and then pick him up. The blanket almost immobilized him? I wouldn’t recommend doing it all the time but in times of necessity, it works

[Pipa and Winter]

Don’t worry the same thing happened to me a couple of months ago with Winter . I was putting the two back into her cage and she jumped out of my arms and accidentally hit a fly trap we had on the counter beside and got it stuck to her I tried to help her but she just ran away when I was holding a fire trap and it ripped right off I felt so bad!!! After that she was pretty kiddish around me so I just gave her some time and in about a week every thing was bad to normal. Keep in mind Winter is a pretty chilled bunny.

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