Thinking about a Bunny?
Every day there are questions from bunny owners that start with…I had my bunny for two days…five days…a week…less than a month…
Almost always followed up with how they moved them to a new location, changed their food, have been trying to bond them to a new bunny, given them some new treat, been picking them up and playing with them…etc, etc, etc.
Slow D0wn
First…bunnies get beaten up on by everything in nature…they’re prey animals. So…they are going to be nervous when some giant gorilla looking thing keeps looming over them and shoving their hands at the bunny and scooping them up.
Slow Down
Second…it will ‘likely’ take several WEEKS to several MONTHS before your bunny is comfortable with their new environment. It takes them time to see your routines, your behaviors, make sure the surroundings are safe, figure out the new toys, treats, and foods that you are throwing at them.
Rabbits survive on consistency. They have to ‘learn’ that you are safe and not going to do them harm. Additionally, they have really sensitive gut systems that need to ‘learn’ what you are feeding them and allow their gut time to build a proper biome. It is like going to Mexico and drinking the local water…no bueno. We don’t have the gut biome to properly deal with the water. You bunny is much the same way…so maybe stop giving them whole bananas because you think it is cute to watch them eat it. You’re actively damaging their gut biome…which can get very costly, very quickly. Slowing down what you are giving them as treats can keep you from having a very expensive vet visit.
Slow Down & Just Watch Your Bunny
Sit on the floor – at their level. Let them come to you. Take the time to build that trust with your bunny. Then you can start to address their behaviors and personalities. Their behavior in the first few days really tells you almost nothing. As they settle in and determine their safe spaces and routines, their behavior will change and develop. Taking the time to watch them do this will help you answer those inevitable questions of…Why is my bunny doing this? What does my bunny need? What does my bunny look like in normal situations? Etc.
It might take six months, but get to really ‘know’ your bunny and let them get to know you and your household. Don’t throw so much at your bunny all at once…small, gradual changes will create far less stress for your bunny and ultimately for you as well.
