The Bunny Basics

Rdhrd70 · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 37

I have came to your site as you can see many times. With many different questions.
About 4 weeks ago We got Rookie a new cage. As soon as he moved into this cage he seemed to get more agressive. We asked and as we figured it was him setting up territory. I was in the hospital for a few days and was home with him for 2 weeks. I went back to work today and when I got home He usually is waiting by the cage door, but wasnt today. I got his food and water and put it all in there and left the cage open for him to come out to run. He wouldnt come out. So I sat down like usually by his cage and was talking to him and he growled or did his grown that he does. I put my hand in there to pet him he lunged and tried to scratch me. I am in tears. He has come out of the cage and wont come out from under his climber. If any of us go near it he growls or groans. Crying or Very sad

What is going on? I do not understand why he growls so much at us it seems the only one in the house he enjoys being around is the dog lately. What do I do? Is he with age becoming mean? HELP i want my sweet boy back.. Crying or Very sad

Meri /Rookies mom

TheBunnyBasics · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 6:34 pm Post subject:

Hi Meri,

I am very sorry to hear Rookie's anger is getting worse. The first thing I recommend is taking him to the vet to make sure nothing is physically wrong with him and he is not in any sort of pain. Sometimes this type of behavior can be from discomfort.

If he is not in any type of pain you might want to try switching his area. Maybe back to his old cage just to see if the behavior gets any better. Or if you have a room like a bathroom you can let him have for a few days to see if the aggression gets any better.

I went through a very similar situation with my first bunny. He was always the sweetest little guy. I bought a new house and thus he had a new room. He turned into the attack bunny from Monty Python. He would try to bite the dog, the other bunny who he adored, everyone. Each time I went into his room he would lunge at me and try to bite me. Numerous trips to the vet found he was fine physically. I could not figure out why his entire personality changed.

I didn't end up staying in that house very long (too far away from everything). So I bought a new house and he had another new room. As soon as we moved his anger started to subside. Within a few weeks of moving he was back to his normal sweet self. His anger went away as fast as it came. He never tried to bite anyone again. The only thing I could think is that for some reason he hated that room and that house.

The reason I share this story it that sometimes bunnies can be very resistant to change and very territorial. Rookie may have felt safe and comfortable and now he does not since it is new or for some reason he doesn't feel safe in -his new cage. I would definitely try another area just to see if things get better and definitely bring him to a good rabbit savvy vet to make sure nothing is wrong with him.

Please let us know how everything goes with Rookie. We will be sending good thoughts your way.

moglig · Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 22 Location: Tempe, AZ

Hi. I'm sorry to hear about your bunny's behavior Sad

. I hope it doesn't stay that way. I can definitely relate to what both of you are saying. My bunny Stanley pretty much only likes his bunny friend, Phoebe. He is generally very scared of humans and will grunt and lunge if I try to approach him when he is inside his cage or in his favorite spot. He also is very protective of Phoebe. I have found that he will let me pet him if he is in a more neutral area of the apartment; I have to lay on my stomach, though, and let my hand slowly move toward him from above. He doesn't like it if I appear big, or if I come at him fast or from the side. He has a very timid, nervous personality

Also, my other bunny Phoebe, attacks certain people. The running theme on the people she attacks seems to be that they are people I've only know the past few years, and they are people who own dogs and may bring that smell with them.

It's hard to understand bunny behavior sometimes, as shown in the previous post. Maybe try approaching him the same way I approach Stanley. Is he possibly making a bond with the dog and is a one creature kind of rabbit like Stanley? I'm not sure if that's possible. Maybe he is reacting to some strange smells you are bringing home. It could be anything I suppose.

Rdhrd70 · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 37

Hi

Ok So the first thing I did was to move his new cage back to where we had him in the old cage. I brought back the pillow cases we used for his bedding instead of the paper. He isnt being as agresive at least not lunging at me.
He still is snubbing me and not paying much attention to me and if I lay on the floor to talk with him he wont come anywhere near me he will stay on the other side of the room like im the pleg. Maybe he is just that mad that I went back to work and he isnt able to be out of the cage as much. Hmm I might need to tell my husband that i should stay at home with the bun and dog Laughing

I am just taking things with him very slow and letting him come to me on his own time. It hurt I miss his kisses and nudges. If anyone has any more ideas shoot them my way I will do anything to make Rookie happy I love the little guy so much.
Have a great day all
Meri and Rookie

peyton716 · Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 73

I am sure things will get better with Rookie. I know he will trust you again and be a cuddle bug again. Bunnies can hold grudges when they are mad at something but they always come around.

It is amazing what wonders little bits of treats or fresh veggies do. They will help him think happy thoughts whenever he sees you!!! Very Happy

Rdhrd70 · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 37

Hi to all

I wanted to add an update on my little Rookie. As I said before we moved him and all his things back to where he had always been. I took him into the vet and he is very healthy.

In the past few days Rookie has been more himself. I am so happy I can not tell you how happy I am to have my happy little boy back. He is doing his binkys and all again.
As I look back I think he was a little angery that I had went back to work and he was left alone. He is still very garded with his cage, but its his home and as long as he is happy when he is out with the family it makes us all happy. Very Happy

Thank you all again for your advice it always helps to hear that Im not alone and that I can get advice to help Rookie and our family with him.

Thank you much
Meri and Rookie

moglig · Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 22 Location: Tempe, AZ

Hey, that's so great! Glad to hear it! I guess maybe bunnies just have a hard time adjusting to change sometimes.

Bun&Dogmom · Joined: 29 Jan 2008 Posts: 72

We are SOOOOOOOOOO happy to hear that Rookie is returning to his normal, happy, binky boy self!!! That's such wonderful news!!!!

Don't feel bad about moving things around and having to go back to work and stuff. We all do things like that and find out, the hard way sometimes, that we've upset the buns. My little girl Belle is VERY moody and about five or six days per month she acts as if she can't stand me. Then other days she just loves and adores me. She's just like me - she has good days and bad days. I've just learned to give her the space she needs on her crabby days.

She's still adjusting to life with Zeus - and especially with Taz. She's still mad at me for bringing Taz home and I know it's going to take her a long, long time to forgive me for that...but he desperately needed a home. Belle was such a happy bunny with Baby but when he passed away it devastated both she and I. I think she still struggles with his absence but has since found new (and different) love with Zeus and I know she's better off with a mate and she's happier for the bond...even though she's still angry with me because of the changes.

Nevertheless, if you do want to integrate new things like paper, etc. into Rookie's room, do so in baby steps. Smaller changes, more subtle changes, can be less frightening to a bun and perhaps if you just add things without taking anything away yet, that will help him acclimate better.

And as you know, as much out time with the family is BEST! The more he can just be bouncing around and hanging out with all of you, the sooner he'll relax more and be a true integrated member of the family.

We are so happy that Rookie is doing better and we're so glad that you two are reconnecting!!!!! It does hurt your heart when it seems your bunny isn't happy but in time things will balance out...and he'll be happy all the time. And a little treat for positive reinforcement is a good thing too. Smile

Bribery is our friend! Laughing

Hugs to both you and Rookie,
Belle, Zeus, Taz, Baby (at The Bridge) and mom