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Original poster

Why does my rabbit hate me? :(

45 replies

Melly19MummyToBe · 03/05/2011 14:24

So I have a rabbit, I rescued her off my aunties friend August last year, she was living in a downstairs loo! The friend had loads of animals and just didn't have the time for the rabbit. Everything was fine for a couple of weeks until I went to the hutch to find a massive pool of blood on the ground underneath her toilet corner. I took her to the vets who said it was a urinary tract infection and gave me some antibiotics. I had to use a syringe to give her the meds twice a day, and it cleared up and she was fine. A bit wary of me after that but still friendly enough. These past few months though she has been absolutely petrified of me, and I don't know why! I get her out every day to put her in the run and everytime I go to get her out she huddles in the corner trembling with her ears half hiding her face and her eyes are all big and scared looking. She also makes this funny squeaking noise sometimes when I stroke her. It also takes me a while to catch her to put her back in the hutch as she just runs to the opposite end of the run to where I am. I'm really worried as I'm due to give birth in about 5 weeks time, and I want her to be a sociable and friendly rabbit when the baby is big enough to pet her. She only 18 months old so plenty of life ahead of her yet. I just don't understand what's wrong with her or me :(

OP posts:
DooinMeCleanin · 03/05/2011 14:30

I'd go back to the vets. It sounds like she is pain.

c0rn51lk · 03/05/2011 14:31

yes that doesn't sound normal at all

Original poster
Melly19MummyToBe · 03/05/2011 18:38

She seems fine other than being approached by me, she's perfectly happy hopping around in her run when she's out on the grass. I put 2 pictures up in my pics, one of her not long after she came to us, and another one how she reacts to me when I'm near her.

OP posts:
HappyAsASandboy · 03/05/2011 18:48

Has she been spayed? Female rabbits can be very hormonal unless spayed, and will be happiest, and hence calmest, when spayed and then paired with a neutered male rabbit. They really are very timid animals, and benefit from a rabbit friend.

CaroBeaner · 03/05/2011 18:54

Is it just recently that you have been picking her up to put her in the run? Lots of rabbits hate being picked up and carried because it is instinctive to avoid experiences such as being picked up for above and carried such as a bird of prey might do to them.

But usually rabbits only squeak when in great distress.

CaroBeaner · 03/05/2011 18:55

Try the Rabbits United Forum Lots of very knowledgable rabbit owners there!

Original poster
Melly19MummyToBe · 03/05/2011 19:16

She's been like this for the past 6 months-ish, she never used to mind being handled. Admittedly I didn't have her out as much as I probably should have done over the winter due to the weather and my DPs over-protectiveness about the bump (worried I would slip on ice). But I did go out to see her every day and give her a little fuss.

She isn't spayed, I looked into it when she got ill but we couldn't afford to get it done. I would love to get her a friend as she looks so lonely sometimes, but due to the fact we can't afford to get her spayed we can't really get another rabbit.

I will try that rabbit forum, thanks :)

OP posts:
lurcherlover · 04/05/2011 21:39

Look at it from her point of view. She's a prey animal. She naturally hates being picked up as as far as she's concerned, you're a hawk carrying her off for lunch. She was used to it, then something traumatic happened (needing the treatment) which has set her back. Overcoming that fear isn't going to be easy. On top of that she will be extremely hormonal as she hasn't been spayed, and she's living an unnatural life for a rabbit in that she's on her own - rabbits feel secure in pairs or groups. This isn't meant to be harsh, just looking at things from her perspective. I don't think she will improve unless you can help her feel more safe - which basically means neutering her and getting her a friend. If that isn't an option, could you rehome her with someone who has rabbits and could get her spayed?

Original poster
Melly19MummyToBe · 04/05/2011 22:16

I don't think I have the heart to rehome her, considering I rescued her in the first place. I will try and save up as best as I can (considering all my money is being swallowed by baby things right now) and get her spayed and see about getting her a friend. Would a male be better? and how would I go about introducing them?

OP posts:
Carrotsandcelery · 04/05/2011 22:26

The other option is introducing a neutered male - you might be able to get one in a rescue centre.

It sounds to me like she has become "untamed" or that her hormones are doing the spring time thing and driving her nuts.

Has she built a nest and plucked her fur out to line it? That is a sure sign of a phantom/false rabbit pregnancy.

I would try to spend as much time as you can near her hutch/run being calm and peaceful but not trying to pick her up. Let her get used to your voice again. Maybe withold her veggies and only give them when you are with her so she associates you with nice things.

I doubt, so heavily pregnant, that you can get inside her run just now, but when you can, sit in it and let her hop about you. Be very, very patient and I think she will come round, especially as she is a lone rabbit.

Original poster
Melly19MummyToBe · 04/05/2011 22:42

Yes she did do the nesting thing about a month ago, everytime I opened her bedroom door all this loose fur blew everywhere :o

So would it be ok to introduce a neutered male rabbit without having her spayed first? And how would I go about introducing them? I'm guessing you can't just chuck them both in the hutch together straight away and expect everything to be fine?

OP posts:
Carrotsandcelery · 04/05/2011 22:49

I have introduced a neutered male to a an unneutered female. It is an alarming experience to be honest.

I would start by putting them somewhere where they can sniff each other through some mesh. Can you borrow a run from a rescue and put them side by side for a few days to get used to each others scent? Rescues often have spare runs and hutches donated.

Then I would let them go in a run together but be fully wrapped up yourself incase you have to intervene. Rabbits can be quite aggressive with each other. Hopefully this won't happen and they will bond.

My female is the dominant one and she mounted the male quite a few times to show him who was boss and then they were fine.

The rescue place I got them from said the best way to bond two bunnies was to put them in a cardboard box together and take them on a long car journey. Apparently the fear makes them stick together. I have not tried this method though so can't recommend it myself.

You will still have to retame your rabbit though but she should be a lot happier with a hutchmate to snuggle up to.

Original poster
Melly19MummyToBe · 04/05/2011 23:06

Ok I will try that, I've just remembered that a girl I went to college with works at a local rescue centre so I've just messaged her on facebook to help me find a neutered male and also asked her what the process is for rehoming a bunny. Hopefully she gets back to me soon!

OP posts:
HappyAsASandboy · 06/05/2011 15:14

The other option is to let a rescue bond her with a neutered male for you. I took my spayed female to a rescue, picked out about 5 male rabbits I liked (!) and then left the rescue lady to it. She is far more experienced than me, and I wasn't confident that I'd know the difference between them sorting out their dominance and actually trying to kill each other.

My rabbit then picked number three off my list. She tried to kill the first one (he ended up at the vets having his nose sutured Sad and having been through that, the rescue lady decided my second choice wasn't even worth trying. Number three was love at first sight apparently, and they've been living together happily for over three years now Grin

If I were you, I'd make contact with a rescue and ask for help. There is a good list of rescues somewhere on the Rabbits United forum linked to up thread.

Carrotsandcelery · 06/05/2011 15:50

Happy's idea is the best one - that sounds the perfect solution. Let us know how you get on.

Original poster
Melly19MummyToBe · 07/05/2011 09:46

I will do thank you, I just need to persuade my DP we need another rabbit :o in my argument I shall add that at least it'll be a male that we'll get! He's not happy that he's outnumbered by 2 now, we're having a baby girl :o

OP posts:
Carrotsandcelery · 07/05/2011 13:32

Congratulations on the baby girl Grin

Good luck with the persuasion - I may have to do similar soon regarding two male guinea pigs for my lonely bereaved male guinea pig. Dh is not convinced!

Original poster
Melly19MummyToBe · 07/05/2011 15:38

This is Stan, the only male rabbit at the rescue where my friend works I don't think there's anymore local rescues near to me apart from the RSPCA

OP posts:
Original poster
Melly19MummyToBe · 07/05/2011 15:42

And I just looked at the local RSPCA and they have 3 rabbits, all female.

OP posts:
Carrotsandcelery · 07/05/2011 16:32

Stan is gorgeous - very pretty for a boy! Is he neutered?

Original poster
Melly19MummyToBe · 07/05/2011 16:50

I'm assuming he is, most rescue animals are neutered and vacced and sometimes chipped aren't they? I'll have to make sure though obviously. Don't want any unexpected baby bunnies to have to deal with! I have asked my friends partner to tell her to get her arse online and get back to me asap as it's urgent and she STILL hasn't. I messaged her on wednesday. Why does nothing ever go the way you want it to!?!

OP posts:
Original poster
Melly19MummyToBe · 07/05/2011 17:10

I've just given up waiting for my friend to reply, I just emailed the sanctuary themselves so hopefully they get back to me quicker than she does! I just sent them a really long essay :o Hope they don't get too bored reading it!

OP posts:
Carrotsandcelery · 07/05/2011 22:56

You sound like me Melly - I keep checking my email about these guinea pigs - once you are excited about it you want it all to happen NOW, STRAIGHT AWAY!

Original poster
Melly19MummyToBe · 10/05/2011 14:54

Grrrr. Seems my plan of getting another rabbit is doomed before it's even been put into action! The rescue place I emailed on saturday STILL haven't got back to me Angry

OP posts:
Carrotsandcelery · 10/05/2011 18:13

Is there a phone number? I am having similar issues on the guinea pig front. I suspect many of these places are understaffed.

If you phone or if it is close enough for you to go up there, then it is harder for them to "ignore" you.